Geographically next door to Tuscany and Lazio, Umbria has long been a favourite destination for foreign tourists who find the other regions too full of their countrymen. Umbria is one of the few Italian regions to have no coastline, and its countryside is green and fertile, much of it wooded and hilly.

Umbria is one of those destinations which, when mentioned to an Italian, will provoke the lip-smacking comment: 'You'll eat well there'. Local delicacies include wild boar and the highly-prized truffle. For those with a sweet tooth, Perugia is one of Italy's chocolate capitals. As well as gourmands, Umbria's green countryside is popular with walkers and cyclists, and those looking for a peaceful retreat.

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