What to do in Umbria in December? UmbriaSì tells you

December is a magical month in Umbria, when the landscape transforms into an enchanting winter scene. We would like to guide you through a unique journey in this fascinating region, offering you an unforgettable experience during the festive season. Discover with us what to do in Umbria in December and let yourself be enchanted by this unique destination.

Christmas markets
Immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere by exploring the Christmas markets of Perugia and Assisi, Gubbio, Spoleto, Orvieto, Terni…
The squares are filled with twinkling lights, colorful stalls and the delicious scent of local specialties. It is the perfect opportunity to buy unique gifts and savor Umbrian delicacies.

The largest Christmas tree on water in the world on Lake Trasimeno
The Christmas tree on Lake Trasimeno is a magical tradition that lights up the shores of the lake in December. Located near Passignano sul Trasimeno, the tree sports twinkling lights, creating an enchanting sight reflected on the water. The lighting ceremony, usually accompanied by festive events, attracts visitors and residents, creating a unique Christmas atmosphere on the shores of this picturesque Umbrian lake. An unmissable experience to immerse yourself in the magic of the holidays in an evocative context.

The largest tree in the world in Gubbio
It is certainly among the most impactful Christmas attractions not only for Umbria, welcoming visitors who flock to admire the largest tree in the world from all over Italy and abroad.
Located along the slopes of Monte Igino, it is made up of around 800 lights powered by renewable sources and therefore not only a project with a great tourist impact but also an eco-sustainable one.
The Gubbio Tree is 450 meters wide and 750 meters high and measures 13 thousand square meters, reaching the Basilica of Sant’Ubaldo on the top of the mountain.

Christmas in Cascia
In Cascia at Christmas, visit the Sanctuary of Santa Rita and admire the lights in the square. Participate in local traditions with cultural events and Christmas concerts. Delight your palate with Umbrian culinary specialties and indulge in excursions into winter nature. Don’t miss the evocative midnight mass to fully experience the magic of Christmas in this fascinating Umbrian town. Cascia offers an authentic and unforgettable experience during the holidays.

Living Nativity Scenes: Tradition and Authenticity
Umbria is a land of ancient traditions and profound spirituality. With today’s article with a Christmas flavor we will immerse ourselves in one of the most significant traditions: the Nativity scene of Saint Francis of Assisi.
This sacred representation is a testimony to the Umbrian cultural and religious heritage, an icon of faith and devotion that attracts visitors from all over the world.

Umbria in December offers a unique experience that blends the magic of the holidays with the beauty of nature and tradition. Trust us to organize your trip, guaranteeing you complete immersion in the culture, gastronomy and scenic wonders of this fascinating Italian region. Make your December unforgettable with a trip to Umbria.

 

Umbria: November month of taste

Umbria: November in the month of Taste


Umbria, known as the “green heart of Italy,” is a region that enchants visitors with its natural beauty, its rich cultural heritage and, of course, its very long and delicious food and wine tradition. November is the month of taste dedicated to Umbrian excellences such as truffles, oil, wine, chestnuts…

The truffle: a delicious, well-kept secret
This precious underground mushroom is a true treasure of Umbria and a fundamental element of its traditional cuisine. Not everyone knows that the Green Heart of Italy is one of the best places in the world to find it. Here, among the lush woods and rolling hills, delicious varieties of black and white truffles grow.

The prized black truffle (Tuber Melanosporum Vittadini) is found above all in Norcia or Spoleto. Ripening takes place from November to the first days of March. Its area of ​​diffusion goes from the Nera, Corno and Sordo rivers, the Spoleto mountains, the Martani Mountains, the Trevi Mountains and the Subasio.
The Umbrian black truffle is known for its intense and earthy flavor. It is often used in pasta dishes, such as truffle tagliatelle, or grated over eggs or risotto for a luxurious touch. Its flavor goes perfectly with mature cheeses and red meat, creating a symphony of flavours.
The white truffle (Tuber Magnatum Pico), rarer and more valuable. The production area goes from the Upper Tiber Valley, to the Eugubino Gualdese up to Orvieto. It ripens from October to December (except for some very cold areas, it can go until January). It loves poplar, willow, harrier but also oak, turkey oak and hornbeam.
It prefers wooded areas, near rivers and the innermost slopes of the hills.
Each of these has its distinctive characteristics and its favorite culinary pairings.
The white truffle with its delicate and fragrant aroma is considered a true culinary jewel. It pairs beautifully with simple dishes such as risotto, fresh pasta or meat carpaccio. However, its true beauty is revealed in dishes that allow its flavor to shine, like a fried egg with grated white truffle.
The flavors of Umbria: perfect pairings with wine such as a Montefalco Rosso DOC or a Grechetto with a passage in wood.

Discovering the green gold of Umbria: extra virgin olive oil
Umbria is not only famous for its picturesque landscapes and charming medieval towns, but also for a culinary treasure that is essential in Italian cuisine: extra virgin olive oil.
Thanks to its fertile soils, the favorable climate for very slow maturation and the dedication of its farmers, Umbria is renowned for the production of high quality extra virgin olive oil, with its rich and fruity flavour, with notes of herbs aromatic and a light spicy hint and an extremely low acidity level. This golden elixir is extracted from freshly harvested olives, cold pressed to preserve all its beneficial properties and authentic taste.

The main olive varieties are:
Moraiolo, in the geographical mention of the Assisi Hills – Spoleto.
Oil mill, prevalent in the Martani Hills, the Amerini Hills, and the Trasimeno Hills.
Leccino, present in the Orvieto Hills.
San Felice, present in the Colli Martani sub-area.
Agogia (or Agocia), typical of Lake Trasimeno.
Pendolino, pollinating agent of Moraiolo and Frantonio
Nothing pays homage to extra virgin olive oil like a simple Umbrian bruschetta. Toast some crusty bread and rub a clove of garlic on it. Add diced tomatoes, fresh basil, salt and, of course, a generous drizzle of Umbrian extra virgin olive oil. It is a pleasure for the palate that enhances the flavor of crunchy bread and ripe tomatoes.

The Umbrian nectar: ​​wine and its harmonious gastronomic symphonies
Umbria is an extraordinary wine region, known for its wines full of character and personality. From Montefalco, Torgiano l’Orvietano, the Asisi area etc, the Umbrian vineyards produce full-bodied red wines such as Sagrantino di Montefalco, elegant white wines such as Grechetto and Trebbiano Spoletino and refined sparkling wines such as Metodo Classico and Muffati wines, a golden nectar excellent with cheese pairings.
These wines are the result of the passion of local winemakers and the native grape varieties, carefully cultivated in the sunny hills of Umbria.

The perfect matches:
Sagrantino di Montefalco with roast meats, Grechetto with fish dishes, Umbrian sparkling wine paired with appetizers and Vin Santo with traditional desserts such as Panpepato or Torcetti.

Flavor of autumn through chestnuts
November autumn in Umbria is synonymous with chestnuts, a versatile fruit that is used in multiple ways in local cuisine. From traditional roasted chestnuts to rustic soups, from sweet cakes to velvety creams, chestnuts are an essential element of the Umbrian gastronomic heritage. The chestnut harvest involves local communities, creating an atmosphere of warmth and sharing that permeates the entire region.

The perfect matches:
Steaming chestnut and Porcini mushroom soups, a delicious chestnut risotto and Umbrian Pecorino or chestnut desserts with Passito wine.

Umbria is a dream destination for food and wine lovers, with its delicious cuisine, its enchanting landscapes and its unique culinary heritage, this region will give you an unforgettable experience. Have a good trip and bon appetit!




In Umbria with Taste

Discover our collection dedicated to Taste in Umbria, among food and wine excellences and its wonderful Medieval Villages

What to do in Umbria in November? UmbriaSì tells you

November in Umbria: a journey through flavors and culture in the month of Taste!

Umbria is a region rich in history, culture and nature, which offers a variety of experiences for all tastes.
In this month, the still mild climate and shorter days offer a perfect atmosphere to savor Umbria!

1. FRANTOI APERTI
28 OCTOBER – 26 NOVEMBER
The green heart of Umbria returns as a protagonist with Frantoi Aperti in its 26th edition! A gastronomic and cultural event that celebrates the craftsmanship and new production of Umbrian extra virgin olive oil in all its nuances, among historic villages and uncontaminated nature, with visits and tastings in the oil mills among the evocative green frames of the olive groves.

BOOK NOW your holiday in Umbria with oil tasting!

2.RENAISSANCE IN THE WORKSHOP – PERUGINO AMONG THE GREATS OF HISTORY
29 OCTOBER 2023 – 28 JANUARY 2024

Visit the exhibition “Renaissance in the workshop. Perugino among the greats of history” in Perugia at the Civic Museum of the Palazzo della Penna on “the occasion of the celebrations for the fifth centenary of the death of the painter Pietro Vannucci known as Il Perugino”.

IMMERSE yourself in the history of Perugia and Perugino

3. UNTO XI EDITION
21 OCTOBER 2023 – 19 NOVEMBER

Unto (Unesco, Nature, Territory, Oil), the event dedicated to the new extra virgin olive oil, returns to Assisi for its 11th edition.

TASTE Assisi among the olive groves

4. WINE AND CHESTNUT FESTIVAL
03 – 12 NOVEMBER

The Wine and Chestnut Festival of San Martino in Colle, in Perugia, celebrates its 45th anniversary this year, with tastings of wine, chestnuts and gastronomic specialties.

TASTE Perugia between wine and chestnuts

What to do in Umbria in October? UmbriaSì tells you

October in Umbria: When autumn’s magic embraces the green heart of Italy!

Dear lovers of autumn adventures and breathtaking scenery, get ready to be enchanted! Umbria, that little hidden gem in the green heart of Italy, transforms into a natural spectacle during the month of October. The golden and red leaves paint the landscape, the scent of chocolate fills the air, and good wine flows like a river. It’s the perfect time to explore this enchanting region. Here’s what to do in Umbria in October!

1.Corciano Wine Castle
October 6 – 8
A true journey through the village of Corciano, renowned as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Stroll through historic and characteristic alleys, savoring the nectar of the gods with the Trasimeno Doc designation.

DISCOVER CORCIANO ➔ Tasty Weekends in Umbria among the most beautiful villages in Italy

2.Eurochocolate Perugia
October 13 – 22
Chocolate, with its irresistible sweetness, has always had the power to capture the hearts of millions of people around the world. But there is a place in Umbria, specifically in Perugia, where chocolate takes center stage, an event that celebrates this culinary delight in all its forms and nuances: Eurochocolate.

TASTE ➔ In Umbria between chocolate and wine Book your chocolate tasting

3.Spoleto Jazz 2023
October 20 – November 17
Four virtuosos of music from around the world will illuminate the extraordinary atmosphere of Spoleto, one of Italy’s and Umbria’s most culturally vibrant cities, with their extraordinary performances.

DISCOVER SPOLETOFrom Spoleto to Marmore by bike

4.White Truffle Show
October 28 – November 1
With the arrival of autumn, Gubbio transforms into a place of novelty, with the irresistible scent of white truffle enveloping the city. Internationally renowned chefs, gastronomy enthusiasts, food bloggers, and experts gather during the most delicious weekend of the year, at the White Truffle and Agri-food Products Market.

EXPERIENCE ➔ Discover Gubbio with Gubbio Express

Foliage in Umbria

The Green Heart of Italy warms up with colors in autumn: from September Umbria lights up with red, yellow and orange!

After the summer heat, nature blows its most beautiful colors and, temporarily abandoning the green, it colors before the arrival of winter. Autumn in Umbria is made up of the smell of leaves, of wood burning in the first fireplaces that are lit.

It is the season of harvesting and pressing the olives, then boiling the musts and mills where you can taste the bruschetta with the new oil.

Don’t miss a bike ride along the Strada del Sagrantino, with its purple vines, or a walk in the woods, such as the Bosco di San Francesco in Assisi, where you can admire the autumn foliage, or go with the children to collect chestnut curls in the area of ​​Città di Castello.

Rent Bike

Among the rows of Sagrantino

Explore the Bosco FAI

Explore the FAI Forest Natural jewel of the Umbrian landscape, a place of harmony and peace at the foot of the grandiose Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi.

Explore Città di Castello

San Francesco's route from the north by bike

What to do in Umbria in September? UmbriaSì tells you

Discover Umbria in September in the month that begins to smell of harvest and early autumn.
Immerse yourself in a world of natural beauty, delicious food and fascinating traditions.
Get ready to discover what to do in Umbria during this month full of events and emotions.

  1. Autumn among vineyards and events dedicated to wine!

    Mark the 1st edition of UWine in your diary for 15-17 September, the cultural wine festival with live music, food tracks and many initiatives that will be held in the historic center of Perugia.
    Take the opportunity to discover Perugia by walking through history with your family

Take the opportunity to discover Perugia by walking through history with your family

     2. Medieval Festivals
September in Umbria is also the month of medieval festivals, when the cities are transformed into fairytale settings.
One of the most renowned events is the “Giostra della Quintana” in Foligno, a competition of chivalric skills that takes you back in time. Lavish costumes, tournaments and shows will make you feel like you’re in a tale of kings and queens.

Come and experience Foligno in the quiet of the Abbeys

     3. Nature excursions

With milder temperatures, September is the ideal time to explore the uncontaminated nature of Umbria. Walks through the woods, hikes along scenic trails and visits to picturesque lakes offer up-close contact with the scenic beauty of the region. Don’t forget your camera to capture the most evocative moments.

Discover the Bosco di San Francesco, a FAI property, a natural jewel of the Umbrian landscape, a place of harmony and peace at the foot of the grandiose Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi.

What to do in Umbria in August? UmbriaSì tells you

Scopri l’Umbria ad agosto: Un’esplosione di emozioni sotto il sole estivo!

Benvenuti amanti delle avventure estive e dei luoghi incantevoli! Se state cercando la meta perfetta per trascorrere un agosto indimenticabile, non cercate oltre: l’Umbria è pronta a stupirvi con la sua bellezza mozzafiato, la cultura ricca e le emozioni travolgenti. Preparatevi a vivere un’esperienza indimenticabile mentre vi porto alla scoperta di questa meravigliosa regione italiana durante il caldo mese di agosto!

Avventure nella natura:
L’Umbria è una regione di una bellezza straordinaria, e ad agosto, la sua natura si rivela in tutto il suo splendore. Escursioni a piedi o in mountain bike attraverso i sentieri panoramici vi porteranno a scoprire angoli segreti di questa terra incantata. Fate tappa presso il Lago Trasimeno per praticare sport acquatici o semplicemente rilassarvi sulla riva e godervi la vista mozzafiato.

Approfittane per scoprire I Borghi e le Colline del Trasimeno

Borghi medievali:
Immaginatevi catapultati indietro nel tempo, con stradine lastricate, archi antichi e torri di guardia. Gli affascinanti borghi medievali dell’Umbria sono una gioia da esplorare. Non perdete Assisi, città di San Francesco, con la sua atmosfera mistica e la maestosa Basilica di San Francesco. Spoleto e Gubbio vi conquisteranno con la loro storia e i panorami pittoreschi.

Approfittane per vivere un weekend gustoso in Umbria tra i borghi più belli d’Italia

Suoni Controvento
15 luglio – 20 settembre 2023
In occasione di Suoni ControVento 2023 abbiamo selezionato per te alcune date per vivere una esperienza unica!

Scopri i concerti e e prenota con noi!

Voli in mongolfiera:
C’è un modo davvero speciale per ammirare l’Umbria da un’altra prospettiva: salite a bordo di una mongolfiera! Sorvolando paesaggi mozzafiato e città storiche, vivrete un’esperienza unica e indimenticabile.

Un viaggio nel Cuore dell’Umbria 

What to do in Umbria in July? UmbriaSì tells you

Spoleto Festival of the Two Worlds

June 23 – July 9, 2023

The festival dedicated to the performing arts is back on stage, the oldest in Italy and in its 65th edition. The city of Spoleto takes center stage for these performances from June 23 to July 9 featuring Music, Opera, Dance, Theater, Art.

 

Umbria Jazz 2023 – 50th Edition

July 7 – July 16, 2023

Umbria Jazz is the musical festival dedicated to the world of Jazz, one of the most important in Italy and among the most influential in the world. A festival among the warm notes of the Saxophone and the rhythmic beats of the trumpet echoing through the alleys of the Historical Center of Perugia.

July 15 – September 20, 2023
In the occasion of Suoni ControVento 2023, we have selected some dates for you to live a unique experience!

 

Green Heart of Italy

Finally, July! What better opportunity to immerse yourself in the greenery of Umbria, among its refreshing waterfalls, springs, lakes… A dive into nature to relax and rejuvenate the body and the heart.

 

What to do in Umbria in June? UmbriaSì tells you

Spello’s flowered
10 – 11 June 2023

Every year Spello is colored with the beautiful shades of the flower petals that become real works of art with carpets and paintings that invite the spectators to stop and admire the motifs recreated with mastery between geometries and still representations of a religious nature.
The event is a tribute to the Corpus Domini procession and is a long tradition dating back to the 18th century.

Take the opportunity to discover Spello!

Il Perugino “The Best Master of Italy”
March 4 – June 11, 2023

Last days to visit the exhibition for the 500th anniversary of the death of Pietro Vannucci at the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria in Perugia named “the best master of Italy” as defined in 1500 by Agostino Chigi, a great art admirer and patron of his time.

Perugino Last Call!

Medieval Umbria

June, in particular, is the month of medieval re-enactments, a cultural heritage that tells the story through games, palios, tournaments, races, regattas, food and wine traditions and the customs and traditions of the past…

Live the story!

Green Heart of Italy

Finally June! What better occasion to immerse yourself in the greenery of Umbria among its fresh waterfalls, springs, lakes… A dive into nature to relax and regenerate body and heart.

A trip into nature!

What to do in Perugia in one day!

In Perugia one breathes grace, kindness and a kind of moral sweetness as if dissolved in the air. Inside the circle of the walls of Perugia there are signs of all centuries and of all styles, from the Etruscan to the neoclassical. Perugia is among the densest capitals of art” –
Guido Piovene, journalist and writer

With these beautiful words dedicated to Perugia, we kick off this new column: the cities to visit all in one go in one day!

Welcome to Perugia, the city of chocolate, of Jazz, of art, of fashion, of the millenary history of the Etruscans up to today.
The city on a “human scale” that you can easily visit on foot, strolling through the squares and alleys, admiring its breathtaking views and tasting the traditional specialties.
You are ready? Comfortable shoes and desire to photograph

You are ready? Comfortable shoes and desire to photograph


1. Piazza IV Novembre and the Fontana Maggiore
Let’s start immediately with the heart of the city, the Piazza as postcard symbol of Perugia, located at the end of Corso Vannucci, the main street which is nicely defined by the Perugians as the “vasca”, symbology with the pools of the swimming pools due to its long and the typical walk back and forth between boutiques, traditional and fusion restaurants, historical pastry shops, and chocolate shops. The Fontana Maggiore was built in Gothic style between 1275 and 1278 by Nicola and Giovanni Pisano: there are 50 engraved bas-reliefs and 24 statues representing the 12 months of the year with the main agricultural activities and the zodiac signs and with stories of the old and new Testament. The 24 statuettes are the representation of saints and mythological and biblical characters as well as the representation of the Griffin, the symbol of the city of Perugia.
A stone’s throw from the Fountain there is access to the Archaeological Excavation of Perugia Underground, a beautiful dive into the past walking through the Etruscan and then Roman streets.
Click here 

2. Palazzo dei Priori
An elegant Gothic-style building with mullioned windows dating back to the 12th century. Today it is the seat of the Municipality and of the National Gallery of Umbria, which hosts the Perugino Exhibition  until June 2023 for the 500th anniversary of his death, as well as masterpieces of Italian art from the Middle Ages to the 16th century. On the ground floor of Palazzo dei Priori there are also the Collegio del Cambio and the Collegio della Mercanzia along Corso Vannucci.
You could take advantage of a tasty chocolate tasting, an essential experience in the sweetest city in Italy.
Click here

3. Porta Sole
From here the panorama is breathtaking. Porta Sole is one of the 5 gates forming part of the ancient city walls of Perugia, and also one of the Medieval District of the Center.
Stop for a second and admire the panorama, the ancient walls still visible and the very suggestive long staircase of Via delle Prome which lead you directly to the Etruscan Arch.

Also mentioned by Dante in the Divine Comedy, in Canto XI of Paradise

«Between Tupino and the water that descends
of the hill elected by Blessed Ubaldo
fertile coast of high mountain hangs
hence Perugia feels cold and hot
from Porta Sole, and weeps for them in return
for heavy yoke Nocera with Gualdo

4. Etruscan Arch
Also known as the Arch of Augustus, it is another of the gateways to Perugia. Built in the 3rd century BC and remodeled in 40 BC by Augustus. Beautiful and imposing, it will leave you speechless.

5. Acquedotto
Now that I’ve made you walk downhill, it’s time to make you walk uphill, along the Aqueduct, but it’s an experience that you absolutely cannot miss in Perugia. The Aqueduct is in fact famous for its staircase which, however, does not change here, remaining still (Semicitation of Hermione in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone “Stairs like to change“)!
At the top, take a breath and turn around. The view of the ancient medieval aqueduct that supplied the Fontana Maggiore is beautiful.

6.Rocca Paolina and the Carducci Gardens
At this point you have returned to the Centre, a “vasca” in Corso Vannucci and you are on the opposite side of Piazza IV Novembre. Here you can rest in the Carducci Gardens on one of the benches overlooking the wonderful panorama of Umbria, you will admire the newly restored statue of Perugino.
You are then ready to descend under the Rocca Paolina, a fortress dating back to the 16th century and commissioned by Pope Paul III. Today it is a connection point between Piazza Partisan (where you will find the bus terminal and the parking lot) but also a beautiful historic place where art exhibitions and markets (like the Christmas ones) are set up.
An idea to experience Perugia between experiences and overnight stays?

Discover Perugia with your Family

Strolling Through Perugia’s History