Umbria and the Marche

Umbria promotes itself as ‘Italy’s Green Heart’, and it’s true that the colour green dominates the landscape — from the glistening silver-green olive groves above Lake Trasimeno to the dark green holm oak woods edging the Valle Umbra and Valnerina and up to the oak forests, mountain pastures and high grassy plateaus of the Monti Sibillini. This picture is not only true for Umbria, but also for the lesser-known neighbouring region of the Marche. Naturally there is a wealth of art and architecture to be seen en route, whether you travel by car or on foot. Area covered: All of Umbria and the Marche (except for the heavily developed Adriatic coast).The main focal points are the two most beautiful areas of the Apennines in Umbria and the Marche — the idyllic, deeply-etched valley of Valnerina in Umbria and the legendary Monti Sibillini which rise to almost 2500m and lie mainly in the Marche.