Long dismissed as Tuscany's "gentler sister", Umbria has recently emerged from the shadow of its more famous western neighbour.
Forming an expanse of gentlepastoral countryside and high mountain wilderness, the picturesque region has been dubbed the "Green Heart of Italy".
Umbria is also well known for the beauty and profusion of its medieval hilltowns.
Today the old towns are Umbria's chief glory.
In Perugia, the region's capital, and the smaller centres of Gubbio, Montefalco and Todi, there are numerous Romanesque churches, civic palaces, vivid fresco cycles and endless medieval nooks and crannies.
Spoleto, renowned for its summer arts festival, blends grandiose medieval monuments with Roman remains and some of Italy's oldest churches.
Assisi, the birthplace of St Francis, contains the Basilica di San Francesco, frescoed in part by Giotto.
Umbria's oak woods, ice - clear streams and rich soils yield many delicaces.
A variety of well - regarded wines are produced from the vine-yards of Torgiano and Montefalco.