About Umbria
Umbria is one of 20 regions in Italy and the only region without a sea coast. Umbria’s landscape is an endless vista of rolling hills with sunflower fields, vineyards, olive trees, wheat fields and forest which gives Umbria its nickname the “Green Heart of Italy” because it has some of the most beautiful landscape to be found in Italy. The Tiber River traverses through the region along with some of the most interesting medieval hill towns such as Todi, Spoleto, Orvieto, Assisi, Gubbio and Spello. Some smaller, less well known towns of interest include Trevi, Norcia, Bevagna, Amelia, and Narni. Other small towns in Umbria known for their ceramics are Deruta and Torgiano.
Todi. Italy is part of the medieval hill towns and one of the most beautiful in a delightful position on an isolated triangular hill which overlooks the central Tiber River Valley. It is a unique city with its medieval buildings and steep narrow winding streets. Todi was founded by the Umbria and later absorbed Etruscan influence. It became a Roman Colony by 42 BC making it one of the first free communes in the middle Ages. Todi is famous for its Etruscan and Roman ruins which now belong to the Museo Archeologico in Florence and the Villa Giulia in Rome. The famous bronze statue of Mars, dating back to 4C BC, was found in Todi in 1835 and is now in the Vatican.
Todi was the birthplace of Jacopo de’ Benedetti (c 1230-1306), called Jacopone da Todi, poet and mystic. He authored Stabat Mater.
The Palazzo del Popolo was built in early 13C as were the medieval walls which are still largely intact around the city that date back to 1244. Todi has towers and three gateways…Porta Romana, Porta Amerina or Fratta and Porta Perguina. Todi is also known for its cathedrals… the Duomo, San Fortunato and Santa Maria della Consolzaionelar.
Italian Flavors of Umbria, Flavorful Olive Oils, Truffles, Cheeses, and Wines.
The region of Umbria, Italy is famous for sausages, cheese, vegetables and truffles. Truffle production is a huge part of the cuisine in this region.
Wines – The climate of this region is also favorable for the cultivation of grapes which allows for the production of Umbria’s well known red wines that are mostly made in the hills that surround Perugia. The Sagrantino di Montefalco is one of the best known varietals in Umbria from the town of Montefalco. Orvieto is famous for its Orvieto White Classico, Torigano for its rose, red wine and spumante. Another white wine known in the region is the Grechetto.
The Umbrian hills, especially in the area of Assisi, Trevi and Spoleto are perfect land for cultivation of olive oil and some of the most flavorful olive oils are produced here.
Helpful Information & Tips To Know About Travel to Italy
Travel in Italy – Providing web resources for travel, tourism and vacations including regional information for italian vacation destinations.
Paying for things while on your vacation
- Travelers Checks, make sure they are already in Euro currency and in small amounts. Note you will find that most small hilltop towns only accept Euros or Credit Cards as payment forms.
- ATM & Banks – there are ATM machines through out Italy they are called Bancomat and are labled Cirrus or BankMate. (note when using machines the pin pad is numberical so if you know your pin by letter learn the numberical equivalent.) Your bank will charge you the current conversion rate. Banks in Italy are open typically from 8:35 to 1:35 >lunch> 3:00 to 4:00 and closed on Sat. & Sundays.
Communicating & Telecommuting In Italy
- Public phones require a phone card called a Carta Telefonica. These can be purchased at any newsstand, tobacco shop or bar(coffee shop)
- Internet cafe’s are located throughout Italy. For Email set up your account for online based access. Example set up a gmail, hotmail or yahoo account, have a copy of your emails forwarded to your online account to use while in Italy. For wireless connection or using your own laptop, you will need either a service that allows dial up connection (expensive because it utilizes phone line time) or purchase a wireless card that you can use for connection.
Find a Internet Cafe
For cheaper phone calls if you have a laptop with internet phone capabilities try Skype ( ex: Italy/us .021 per min) or for land line card calling try Acculinq which offers great international calling rates (and other services)for many countries. With both of the above you pre purchase minutes & use a CC on file to refill your min. if needed. note: for land line public phones you will still need the Carta Telephonica to get the dial tone to call out but your card should not be charged the minutes for international calls.
Health Services and Insurance Policy
Before traveling to Italy, it is advisable to procure a document certifying coverage by the national health-care service as well as any documentation of any medicine or treatments you may be under going just in case medical assistance is needed.
Italy has no medical program covering U.S. and Canada citizens. Therefore, U.S. and Canadian tourists are advised to take out an insurance policy before traveling. First Aid Service (Pronto Soccorso) with a doctor on hand is found at airports, ports, railway stations and in all hospitals. Medicines can be obtained only from the pharmacy, whether they are on prescription or over the counter. When getting medicine or visiting a pharmacies (Farmacia), in the large cities they are typically open non stop but note that quite a few operate on the 8:30 to 12:30 >lunch>3:00 – 7:00 schedule.
Miscellaneous Italy Vacation Information
Shopping – Warning be careful of counterfeit goods sold example designer handbags, sunglasses clothing etc. when exiting Italy if counterfeit goods are discovered they will be confiscated a fine could be imposed. When in doubt don’t buy it!
Electrical Appliances
The electrical current in Italy is AC – the cycle is 50Hz 220 V. A tourist carrying electrical appliances to Italy should have a transformer, either obtained before leaving your country or bought at an electrical appliance shop in Italy. Plugs have round prongs, not flat, therefore an adapter plug is needed.[/three_fourth]
Important Italy Tourist Information
Tourist Bureau
Umbria Tourist Service
Via Mazzini, 21 – 06100 Perugia
Tel. +39075575951 – Fax +390755736828
Italy Tourist Information
Emergency Telephone Numbers
1240 Phone Directory Assistance
112 for Carabinieri’s service
113 for Emergency Police Help
115 for the Fire Department
116 for A.C.I. (Italian Automobile Club)- for road side assistance
118 for Medical Emergencies
176 International Inquires