Umbria

Gentle Umbria, the mystical birthplace of St Francis, would seem remarkably familiar to him now - olives and vineyards carpeted in wild flowers; pink granite farmhouses; the lush Tiber valley, Apennine forests and glassy Lake Trasimeno where he preached to the birds; and the beautiful hill towns of Gubbio, Perugia, Spoleto, Orvieto, Todi, and his own native Assisi. Cadogan's thoroughly researched guide will make sure you don't miss a beat in Italy's "Green Heart", whether you seek the masterpieces of the Umbrian school of painting, the landscapes of Perugino, or simply the best place to tuck into a dish of homemade cirioli with truffles. This guide includes practical travel advice; over 150 hand-picked places to stay; over 90 restaurants, bars & cafes; 18 maps & site plans; stunning color photography and touring map sections; essential information on art galleries, vineyards and local festivals. (5 1/2 x 8 1/2, 284 pages, color photos, maps, illustrations), markets and scenic touring routes. (5 3/4 x 8 1/4, 256 pages, maps, illustrations)Facaros, Dana is the author of 'Umbria', published 2002 under ISBN 9781860118630 and ISBN 1860118631.