La Villa

A luxury Italian holiday in Umbria takes you to a region of intimate hill-towns, some inhabited since the Etruscans called this part of Italy home. Its rolling hills and inviting valleys offer a riot of colourful wildflowers in the spring. Criss-crossed bike and walking trails roll over the landscape, some of which follow the route taken by St Francis. In some parts of this impressive landscape, there’s a silence that’s difficult to find in other parts of the country.

Umbria, often called Italy’s green heart, has a powerful sense of tradition. Its towns and cities are smaller and more authentic in many ways, allowing you to see the ‘untouched Italy’.

With magnificent palaces, thought-provoking museums, Romanesque cathedrals and picturesque churches, each with its own place in history, it’s easy to binge on art and culture. Umbria is a remarkable place to get away from it all. It’s rustic, historic and, like many things Italian, romantic – just right for couples looking for some together time. There are grottos, galleries, cellars and caves, some of which date to the Etruscan era. If you’re a music aficionado, head to Perugia’s Jazz Festival, which is held in July, and offers a wonderful range of events. Alternatively, indulge at the Chocolate Festival of Perugia, which takes place in October.