Umbria | Marche

Discover the emerald treasure land-locked in the center of Italy: Umbria & Le Marche

Umbria's location has kept its secrets intact – unpolished and authentic – with a number of lustrous traditions and festivals celebrated just as they were hundreds of years ago.

The medieval hilltop towns, built in advantageous positions above verdant valleys, have not only successfully warded off enemies, but defended against some of the more disastrous side-effects of mass tourism.

With destinations that attract those who revel in tranquility, Assisi has been a touchstone for pilgrims since the inception of the Franciscan Order. Those who seek serenity in nature will love hiking the Umbrian mountains; the area around heart-shaped Lake Trasimeno is breathtaking and captivating with its ancient history.

As the most important Etruscan strongholds were never more than 20 kilometers from the important source once a shallow sea, the ruins and remnants of past populations are sprinkled throughout the forests. In the southeast the Sibillini Mountains and the Norcia Valley also offer impressive backdrops for athletic adventures… or for those who just really love the delicious meats the area is famous for. Umbria’s farm-to-table cuisine features fresh ingredients, full bodied wines and earthy truffles.

For chocolate lovers, a stop at the region’s cocoa core, Perugia, cannot be missed. The Eurochocolate festival held there every October is one of the most import culinary events in Italy – and it can easily be combined with tours to Tuscany or Lazio. From sacred sites to the underground cities just below the surface of towns like Orvieto, Todi and Narni, the region offers unique opportunities for spiritual, cultural and historical exploration.

Umbria is a place that awaits to enchant with the subtle sweetness of its cuisine, its presentations of living history, and its architecture, art and customs steeped in time.

The neighbouring region of Le Marche is another of Italy's long-kept secrets. A secret that is about to unfold, partly thanks to the Lonely Planet that has recognized its appeal, choosing it to top its list of ten "Best in Travel" destinations for 2020. Nestled between the Apennines mountain chain and the Adriatic coast, the possibilities to create an amazing group tour are endless here.

Our ACTIVO hiking tours take your groups through the unspoiled nature of the Apennine mountains and its charming hill top villages. Or choose the stunning Riviera del Conero whose cliff-back coast, crystal-clear waters and beautiful beaches make it a great destination for coastal walks.

Our DIVINO packages bring people to see the sacred sites of the region, including the Basilica della Santa Casa in Loreto, which is believed to hold the house where the Virgin Mary lived, as well as many other abbeys and churches sprinkled throughout the area.

Stretching from Pesaro in the north to the province of Ascoli Piceno in the South Le Marche's cultural landscape is amazingly rich. The historic center of Urbino has UNESCO world Heritage status. 2020 will be special for the small town as it celebrates the 500th anniversary of the great Renaissance artist Raphael who was born here.

Macerata's summer opera festival, held every year from mid-July to mid-August is one of Italy's greatest musical events. Its impressive venue, the neoclassical Arena Sferisterio, is a stunning outdoor theater built to resemble an ancient Roman arena. With our MAESTRO tours your clients will have access to this prestigious and popular opera festival.

Culture, nature or music, the Italian regions of Umbria and Le Marche will not seize to surprise your groups. 

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