Everyone talks about Tuscany.

They seem to light up at the thought of the place. The iconic imagery that settles in the mind.

There are the cypress-lined roads, the vineyards, the famous cities and of course, the Tuscan light.

But ask any Italian – or a well seasoned traveller – where you should go if you want Tuscany without all of the Tuscan “baggage” and they would say, “have you heard of Umbria?”

Sat just over the border, this landlocked region has something incredible to offer. The stone work, the slow meals, the church bells that mark time and landscapes that fool even the most avid travel instagrammer.

Do you need to visit Umbria? Probably.

Should you visit Umbria? Definitely!

Here are 9 reasons why you should visit Italy’s quiet secret.

1. Tuscany’s Beauty, Without the Theatre

In Tuscany you are greeted with theatre whilst in Umbria, you are greeted with softness. There are no crowds, the hills roll just as softly and the vineyards are just as ancient. Nothing feels staged here.

Spring light lands gently on medieval towns like Todi and Montefalco. Stone buildings start to glow in the morning and the night sky gets soft reds and oranges which add spectacle but never drama.

2. Stone Towns That Haven’t Learned to Pose

If the allure of Tuscany is the ancient cityscapes, Umbria has learnt to feel inhabited by them. They never stand out, they never make you reach for the selfie they just… exist.

One trip to Gubbio, Assisi, Orvieto and Todi will make you sit back and admire. These are towns that sit in tranquility.

3. A Slower, Truer Spring

Unlike other regions, yes, even that one… Umbria bursts into colour. This is more than wheat fields and yellows. Wildflower meadows come to life, poppies and wisteria line fields and drape across stone yards. The hillsides and mountains become lush and green, perfect for that hike and climb.

Towns start to awaken, holding festivals and cultural richness which never feels like a show but an homage to the history of the region.

Life resumes at walking pace — and invites you to match it.

4. Food That Is Still Regional, Not Global

This is a food that is deeply local. You won’t find carbonara or margherita pizzas in the trattorias and osterias dotted in the villages and cities.

This is hearty, rich food that comes from the land that is curated with passion, animals that are tended to with care and recipes that are religiously followed.

Black truffles.
Wild greens.
Norcia Pig
Lentils, olive oil, bread that tastes of place.
Chocolate

In spring, menus change quietly, because the land has.

5. Castles That Feel Lived In, Not Looked At

Staying somewhere like Castello di Todi isn’t about pretending to be royalty.

It’s about silence, stone walls, long views and mornings where nothing asks anything of you.

6. Landscapes That Don’t Compete for Attention

We’ve spoken about the stone buildings. We’ve talked about the lush greenery that arrives in spring but… We haven’t spoken enough about the landscapes.

They catch you un-guarded. You look and instantly you are fixated. There is history, craftsmanship and breathtaking landscapes that fill you with everything Italy has to offer.

Visit Orvieto and from Rocca Albornoziana (fortress gardens) see the dramatic tufa cliff and surrounding plains. Head to Gubbio and climb to the Basilica di Sant’ Ubaldo via the unique Funiva cable car for stunning views over the medieval town and valley. Then there’s Assisi, Montefalco, Spoleto, Perugia, each with their own charms and that’s not even the little hamlets you find along the way.

7. Fewer People, Better Conversations

Heading to Italy in Spring is something different.

Wherever you go, you see a sense of what it really is about. A place that welcomes and inspires rather than having to deal with tourist demands.

This is the time of year when you are welcomed, not managed. Cared for, not sold to.

8. A Sense of Italy Before the Headlines

Tuscany, Amalfi, The Lakes… they are the headline acts. They make up the idea of what Italy is to so many. (Maybe we can thank Stanley Tucci for that)

But Umbria is for those looking for the authentic. The bit of Italy that refused to become anything other than itself. They value connection, place and culture above all else.

9. Because Some Places Are Better Whispered

Umbria doesn’t market itself loudly.

And that’s precisely why it works.

Who Umbria Is For

• People who don’t need to see everything
• Those who value how a place feels over what it offers
• Travellers who understand that luxury is often about subtraction

So, why should you visit Umbria? Why should you stay somewhere that not everyone else goes on and on about?

Probably for that reason. Umbria is the place where you go when you don’t want everyone to know where you are going, not through embarrassment but through pride.

This is a proud community, a culture steeped in tradition, pilgrimage and a sense of belonging. It’s unquestionably Italian and that makes it Italy’s quiet secret.