Bordered by Tuscany to the west, Marche to the east and Lazio to the south, Umbria is at the very center of Italy. It is a region rich in historic and artistic treasures, fine food and wine, and great natural beauty. Medieval cities are perched atop hills that give way to a famously green landscape of sunflower fields and olive groves.

Cosmopolitan Perugia, the region’s capital, is home to two universities that draw students from all over the world. This is also the home of the famous Baci chocolates, made by Perugina, and the city’s annual EuroChocolate festival, held every October, is a chocolate-lover’s dream. Jazz aficionados, too, know Perugia well as the site of one of the world’s most celebrated jazz festivals: Umbria Jazz in July.

Nearby, mystical Assisi is famous for its association with St. Francis, and the Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi, dating from his canonization in 1228, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Charming Spoleto enjoys international renown as the venue for the annual Festival of Two Worlds, a three-week summer celebration of music, theater and dance. Historic Todi is known for its medieval monuments and ancient Roman cisterns, and its piazza is among the most picturesque in Italy.

Expansive Lake Trasimeno is popular for swimming, owing to its pristine waters, and boat rides to its only inhabited island, Isola Maggiore. There, visitors can explore the ruins of a Franciscan monastery and wander the tiny town that is home to just 30 residents.

For an alternative to hotel accommodations, visitors to Umbria can choose from more than 30 exclusive guest villas represented by Home in Italy.