Umbria's exhilarating beauty requires all five senses to be fully appreciated. The upcoming Easter holidays are the perfect opportunity to discover - or rediscover - places that welcome visitors in a truly genuine way that's hard to find elsewhere. And the right place to take a deep breath of the Umbrian atmosphere is without doubt its agritourism accommodation.
Our tour begins in Assisi, one of the great landmarks of world Christianity. You don't have to be religious to appreciate the deep sense of spirituality that pervades the town, almost as if the presence of St. Francis and St. Clare had left it wrapped in an aura of serenity that inspires lasting emotions when you visit the imposing Basilica of Saint Francis, superbly decorated with frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue, or the rose-coloured stone church of Santa Chiara with its stunning panorama, most lovely at sunset. Take in the view from the wall that surrounds the square; touch the stones and let your hand absorb an atmosphere that fills the heart and soothes the soul.
You'll feel the same desire to "touch history" while walking through the winding streets of Citta della Pieve, or in the textile museum at Citta di Castello, where you can handle precious lace, sumptuous Renaissance tablecloths and gorgeous tapestries.
If you want a vision of the overpowering beauty of art, visit Orvieto and Spello and prepare to be truly surprised. In Orvieto Cathedral, the Saint Brizio Chapel frescoed by Luca Signorelli is such a blaze of colour, brutality and sensuality that you'll need to gaze awhile to take in its full splendour. At Spello, in the church of Santa Maria Maggiore, the Baglioni chapel decorated by Pinturicchio is a kaleidoscope of colours and virtuoso perspectives. It seems almost impossible that small towns with a few thousand inhabitants can be such treasure chests of unexpected, world famous masterpieces.
Still following the art trail, an obligatory stop en route is Perugia, where the harmony and composure of Piazza IV Novembre with its medieval fountain seem undisturbed despite all the media overexposure. In fact, the square's powerful impact will certainly encourage you to visit the National Gallery of Umbria, located a few steps away in the imposing Palazzo dei Priori, where among the masterpieces are works by Fra Angelico, Perugino and Pinturicchio.
And now, having satisfied the senses of touch and sight, how about hearing something wonderful?
What could be better than the melodious sound of the Cathedral bells of Spoleto, home of the famous music festival and bursting with culture of all kinds, attracting thousands of tourists each year from all over the world.
It's hard to forget that Umbria is also a paradise for lovers of good food, whose sense of taste will be delighted by the local cuisine, which of course includes truffles, served either with the classic strangozzi pasta or more simply on toast, accompanied, of course, by a glass of excellent Sagrantino di Montefalco.
Finally, with your senses satisfied and your soul serene, take a relaxing break at Nocera Umbra and discover the beneficial properties of its mineral waters while your heart fills with appreciation, gratitude, and the vague sense of nostalgia that affects everyone who has seen the wonders of Umbria and already can't wait to come back.
Did you know that…?
If you go to Assisi and visit the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, you'll notice beside it a beautiful rose garden without thorns. According to legend, St. Francis, praying in his cell one winter night was seized by sudden temptation to abandon the monastic life. To overcome this mad desire, he threw himself naked on the brambles near his cell, whereupon the thorns disappeared and rose bushes bloomed which still today have no thorns.
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