Welcome to Life in Umbria

This guide has been written after many years experience of living and working in the Upper Tiber Valley of Umbria. This region has a distinctive cultural and social character. The Tiber River runs through the entire length of our valley - about 50 kilometers, and provides the valley with great fertility - hence, the title, "The Green Heart of Italy". Umbria has long been recognized for it's lush green landscapes and medieval hilltop villages but our region is also known for its agriculture. Tobacco is the largest crop but, driving through the countryside, you will also see fields of sunflowers and rolling hills much like those in Tuscany.

Our website focuses on seven towns (or villages) in the region: The hill towns of Citerna, Montone, Monte Santa Maria Tiberina, and Pietralunga and the valley towns of Città di Castello, Umbertide, San Giustino and smaller villages such as Trestina, Calzolaro and San Secondo. Whether it's in the sleepy hamlets with magnificent views or bustling towns full of energy, what you will experience in our region is rural Italian culture - the REAL Italy - that so many visitors miss when they limit themselves to Florence, Rome or Venice.

For those of you who are thinking about moving to Italy or just planning a visit, within this site, you will find helpful information about customs, culture, climate, arts, sports, accommodations, restaurants, Umbria wedding locations, buying property in Umbria, food and wine, and shopping tips. Plus, you'll read some very personal and heart-warming stories about the region and its people. These pages contain tales belonging to four thousand years of Umbrians. Come experience "la vita dolce" in Umbria - The Upper Tiber Valley.

Every effort has been made to include accurate and up-to-date information, but services occasionally change. As you peruse these pages, please feel free to comment and ask questions. We welcome your input and hope you will visit our site again. We welcome your questions, comments and suggestions, too. Have fun exploring our site and welcome to Life in Umbria! Benvenuto!

We dedicate this site to the indigenous people of the region who, almost without exception, have been more helpful, generous, kind and friendly than any I have lived amongst since my birth. John Tunstill

Found within this website: Accommodations in Umbria, living and working in Umbria, hotels in Umbria, Citta' di Castello, Umbertide, Montone, The Green Heart of Italy, Italian School system, Umbrian cuisine, typical food Umbria, buying property in Umbria, medieval properties in Italy, villa rentals, hiking and biking tours, Umbria, driving in Italy, shopping Umbria, Festivals in Umbria, eyewitness stories about Umbria, places to see in Umbria, things to do while visiting Umbria, Vintage Postcards, Lead Soldiers, learning Italian, the Italian language, food and wine in Umbria, la dolce vita in Umbria, Upper Tiber Valley, daily life in Umbria, tips on moving to Italy, Umbria wedding locations, La Vita Dolce, Italian food words, Umbrian recipes, country houses, holidays.

UMBRIA CHAPTER GUIDE

CITIES TOWNS & PLACES

UMBRIAN CULTURE & HISTORY

FEASTS, FESTIVALS & HOLIDAYS

ART, MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

SPORTS & HOBBIES

WEDDINGS IN UMBRIA

BUYING PROPERTY IN UMBRIA