The so-called Green Heart of Italy, Umbria is an untouched region of unfathomable natural beauty in the central part of the country. With endless stretches of lush green forests, dreamy rolling hills, and picture-perfect medieval towns and villages, landlocked Umbria is known for its exquisite cuisine, superb local wine, and authentic ambiance. A road trip across Umbria's gorgeous scenery, complemented by a stay at a historic mansion in the heart of a quintessentially Italian town or a farm stay amidst the region's spectacular countryside, is the best way to get to know one of Italy's last remaining off-the-beaten-path regions, a true gem waiting to be discovered.

Inhabited since the Stone Age, Umbria rose to fame for being the birthplace of Saint Francis of Assisi, a Catholic friar who founded the Order of the Franciscans in the early 13th century, rendering Umbria the synonym for spirituality in Italy. Nowadays, unlike neighboring Tuscany, Umbria remains an under-the-radar region, ideal for anyone looking to experience the real Italy beyond the country's mainstream destinations.