Luxury hotel holidays to Umbria

Luxury holidays to Umbria: luxury hotel holidays, touring holidays and special interest holidays

An Expressions tailor-made holiday to Umbria offers the chance to explore a lesser-known rural area of Italy. Umbria is a gentle, undulating land of hills, river valleys, a patchwork of fields, vines and olives similar in many ways to her better-known neighbour, Tuscany, yet in other ways so very different. Umbria evokes a deeper rusticity, a less ‘polished' feel than Tuscany, the secrecy and mysticism of the Middle Ages and yet because of this holds a charm and fascination for the visitor. The hill towns are superb in their own right; steep, narrow cobbled streets with overhanging arches, the grey stone enlivened here and there by pots of geraniums. Ancient crafts remain very much alive, with ceramics and woodwork in particular. Umbria abounds in Roman architecture with Gubbio and Spoleto being noteworthy and there are Etruscan remains too. The food is hearty and earthy too with truffles and porcini, sausages and salami being regional specialities. Yet Umbria also has some of the most important religious sites in Europe, such as the Basilica of St Francis in Assisi and throughout the region are to be discovered outstanding works of art by Perugino, Giotto, Pinturicchio and Gozzoli. Umbria is an intriguing region that awaits further discovery.

Our bespoke, luxury hotel holidays can be

● Single centre or multi-centre
● Long or short stays
● Combine a number of different hotels in different regions
● Utilise a variety of transport arrangements to Italy and within Italy, combining flights, hire-car, rail, ferries and private transfers

Our special interest holidays to Umbria

● Wine-tasting for individuals
● Food and wine holidays
● Cookery holidays for individuals and small groups
● Cultural tours for individuals
● Private guided sightseeing
● Art, history and heritage holidays

Included in all our holidays

● Concierge service
● Handcrafted helpful hints and local information provided with all our holidays
● Personal service by your sales consultant who looks after all aspects of your holiday

Call us on 01392 441245

Highlights of Umbria

Shop for ceramics in Gubbio, truffles and cooked meats from Norcia. Dramatic landscapes of the Monte Sibillini and one of Europe's highest waterfalls called the Cascate delle Marmore near Terni. One of Italy's beauty spots is the Fonti del Clitunno south of Trevi. See carpentry and woodworking in Todi. Visit the wine museum in Torgiano. Forests of holm oak near Spoleto. Antique fair in April and a national craft fair in August and September in Todi.

Cultural highlights of Umbria

A mixture of religious and secular art and architecture makes Umbria fascinating. The cities of Perugia and Assisi are great centres but the smaller towns of Gubbio, Todi, Spoleto and Spello are also of outstanding interest. Highlights of the region include the Fontana Maggiore in the Piazza IV Novembre in Perugia. Perugia`s Galleria Nazionale containing works by Perugino and Pinturicchio. Gattapone`s Palazzo dei Consoli in Gubbio and his Ponte delle Torri in Spoleto. The `Adoration of the Magi` by Perugino in the church of the Madonna della Lacrime in Trevi. Frescoes by Matteo da Gualdo in the Pinacoteca of Gualdo Tadino. `San Sebastiano` by Luca Signorelli in the Pinacoteca at Citta di Castello. Frescoes by Giotto and Lorenzetti in the Basilica of St Francis in Assisi.

Festivals in Umbria

Perugia has a jazz festival in the summer and the Sagra Musicale music festival held in its churches in September. Orvieto holds concerts in August and has a firework display on the 15th. Spoleto`s Festival of the Two Worlds, a world-class cultural event, takes place June and July. Spello holds its Infiorata in June when the streets are decked with flowers. Foligno holds jousting in September during its Giostra della Quintane.

Gastronomy in Umbria

Umbria's gastronomy is very much a product of its earth and waters: Mushrooms and truffles flavour many dishes, Game and wild boar, Trevi produces black celery, olive oil and black truffles, Pecorino cheese from Torgiano, Todi offers Panzanella, dried bread soaked and marinated in sliced tomato, basil, onion and olive oil, Sweet macheroni with walnuts, Salami and sausages are a regional speciality, Trout from the rivers and perch from Lake Trasimeno, Strangozzi and Bici are local pasta, often flavoured with porcini and truffles. Umbria produces some high quality robust red wines near Torgiano (Rubesco produced by Lungarotti for example) and Orvieto is known for its white wine.

Umbria travel information

Umbria is reached very easily from the UK by air. We suggest the use of a hire car for the freedom to explore the region.

By air

Fly to Rome with numerous flights by British Airways and Alitalia from Heathrow and Gatwick and some regional departures either direct or with a change. Perugia, Pisa, Florence and Bologna are also possible from a variety of airlines.

Car hire

We include a hire-car will all our holidays to Umbria as you really do need a car to make the most of your holiday in this region. If you just want to stay in Perugia or Assisi we can take out the hire-car and you can make your way from Rome, Pisa or Florence by train.

Self-drive

With your own car Umbria can be reached comfortably with two overnight stops from the UK. For example, you could stay overnight in Alsace and then the Italian Lakes and then return via Lake Geneva and the Champagne region. Ask us for advice and let us make these arrangements for you.

Our bespoke, luxury hotel holidays can be

● Single centre or multi-centre
● Long or short stays
● Combine a number of different hotels in different regions
● Utilise a variety of transport arrangements to Italy and within Italy, combining flights, hire-car, rail, ferries and private transfers

Our special interest holidays to Umbria

● Wine-tasting for individuals
● Food and wine holidays
● Cookery holidays for individuals and small groups
● Cultural tours for individuals
● Private guided sightseeing
● Art, history and heritage holidays

Included in all our holidays

● Concierge service
● Handcrafted helpful hints and local information provided with all our holidays
● Personal service by your sales consultant who looks after all aspects of your holiday

Call us on 01392 441245

Here you will find a map of Umbria showing the locations of the hotels that we offer

Our bespoke, luxury hotel holidays can be

● Single centre or multi-centre
● Long or short stays
● Combine a number of different hotels in different regions
● Utilise a variety of transport arrangements to Italy and within Italy, combining flights, hire-car, rail, ferries and private transfers

Our special interest holidays to Umbria

● Wine-tasting for individuals
● Food and wine holidays
● Cookery holidays for individuals and small groups
● Cultural tours for individuals
● Private guided sightseeing
● Art, history and heritage holidays

Included in all our holidays

● Concierge service
● Handcrafted helpful hints and local information provided with all our holidays
● Personal service by your sales consultant who looks after all aspects of your holiday

Call us on 01392 441245

Tuscany field with small white chapel flanked by cypress trees with mountains behind

TUSCANY TO THE AMALFI COAST FLY-DRIVE TOUR

12-night fly-drive touring holiday from Tuscany to the Amalfi Coast with stays in Chianti, Frascati and Positano. From £4,220 per person.
Ornate mural in white on grey stone of a wall in Florence

TUSCANY AND UMBRIA TOUR BY RAIL AND CAR

9-night touring holiday with an overnight stop each way, train to Florence return, then hire-car for touring and stays in Chianti and Umbria. From £2,610 per person.
Roman columns and stone arches around pool at Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli near Rome

THE HEART OF ITALY: TUSCANY, UMBRIA, AND LATIUM FLY-DRIVE TOUR

9-night fly-drive touring holiday exploring three regions at the Heart of Italy: Tuscany, Umbria and Latium, staying in Chianti, the Umbrian countryside and near Frascati. From £1,995 per person.
Turquoise pond with jets of water from fountains with terraced stone landscape and trees at Villa d'Este Tivoli near Rome

TUSCANY TO THE ALBAN HILLS NEAR ROME FLY-DRIVE TOUR

10-night fly-drive touring holiday from Tuscany through Umbria to Latium with stays in the Chianti region, Orvieto and near Frascati. From £2,595 per person.
Heap of dry pasta in different shapes

TUSCANY AND UMBRIA FOOD AND WINE HOLIDAY

6-night fly-drive luxury holiday to Tuscany and Umbria for an authentic cookery and wine-tasting experience. From about £2,440 per person.
Chef in whites holding strands of freshly made tagliolini

COOKERY HOLIDAY IN UMBRIA

4-night cookery holiday near Perugia in Umbria with hands-on cookery classes, wine-tasting and 2 dinners included. From £1,860 per person.
Bunch of olive leaves with olive oil in glass bottle Italy

OLIVE OIL TASTING HOLIDAY IN UMBRIA

4-night olive oil tasting and discovery holiday near Perugia in Umbria with hands-on cookery class, wine-tasting and 1 dinner included. From £1,650 per person.
Hotel Le Tre Vaselle Umbria wine making barrel of fermenting grapes

WINE-TASTING HOLIDAY IN UMBRIA

4-night wine-tasting holiday to Umbria’s famous wine-producing region near Torgiano including a visit to the Lungarotti winery with a tour and tasting of three Umbrian Reserve wines. You stay at a 5-star hotel in the village of Torgiano, near the wine museum and we include a hire-car so that you can explore on your own too. From £1,380 per person.
Hotel Brufani Palace Umbria exterior hotel building patio lawn tree

HOTEL BRUFANI PALACE Perugia

A 5-star traditional grand hotel with 94 rooms and suites enjoying a splendidly central location in this cathedral and university city. Ideal position for sightseeing but also indoor pool and terrace for relaxation.
Hotel Fonte Cesia exterior with stone wall in front of hotel with yellow building coming out the back

HOTEL FONTE CESIA Umbria

An authentic town hotel, 4-star with just 36 rooms and suites, in the centre of this historic village with country views. Some rooms have views of the town, others have views of the countryside below. Private parking available.
Pink flowers overlooking swimming pool

HOTEL LE TRE VASELLE Umbria

This is a charming village-centre 5-star hotel with 52 rooms, restaurant, spa and swimming pool but also at the centre of Umbrian wine production. Visit the wine museum, have a winery tour and wine-tasting here.
Exterior of the hotel with wall lamps lighting up the hotel

HOTEL PALAZZO PICCOLOMINI Orvieto

Housed in a listed building, the 4-star hotel with 33 rooms and suites, is situated in the old town of Orvieto. Authentically simple and elegant rooms. Breakfast room. Lots of restaurants a short walk away.
Exterior of hotel showing yellow building, freshly trimmed hedges and trees

HOTEL VILLA DI MONTE SOLARE Umbria

An aristocratic, historic villa on a country estate, now a 4-star boutique hotel with 27 luxurious and authentically-furnished rooms and suites. Lots of local flavour from the olive groves, walks, cookery classes and local dishes.