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Fortified villages in Umbria

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GUIDED HORSE RIDING TOUR
Horse riding in Umbria, over the hills between Umbertide and Gubbio

Jump on the saddle of a magnificent horse and enjoy peace and nature on the trail of St Francis.

150€ Per person
Price is lower based on umber of people
ADVENTURE
Hot air balloon flight over Assisi

Enjoy the spectacle of gently flying with a hot air balloon over the Umbrian hills, Assisi and other enchanting villages.

from 220€ Per person
Price is lower based on umber of people
PRIVATE GUIDED ROADBIKE TOUR
In the Martani mountains and Spoleto

In the Monti Martani exploring rugged paths and ancient villages up to the magnificent town of Spoleto

from 90€ Per person
Price is lower based on umber of people
ADVENTURE
Intermediate-level Rafting in Umbria, on the Nera river

Face off against the currents and rapids of the Valnerina with the rafting in Umbria. Climb aboard a rubber raft and let your true grit run riot!

40€ Per person
Price is lower based on umber of people
PRIVATE GUIDED ROADBIKE TOUR
Just a bit of flatland between the Nostore valley and Monte Peglia

Hard-core training and a lot of effort leads to the greatest satisfaction

from 90€ Per person
Price is lower based on umber of people
PRIVATE GUIDED ROADBIKE TOUR
Lake Piediluco and the Marmore Waterfalls

From the spectacular waterfalls to the equally beautiful Lake Piediluco. An easy and unmissable tour, suitable for everyone

from 55€ Per person
Price is lower based on umber of people
COOKING CLASS
Learn how to make italian pasta and bread

Find out how to make bread and prepare homemade italian pasta in the traditional Umbrian style!

25€ Per person
Price is lower based on umber of people
ADVENTURE
Mini kitesurfing course on Lake Trasimeno

Kitesurfing on Lake Trasimeno is unforgettable experience suitable for everyone.

from 265€ Per person
Price is lower based on umber of people
PRIVATE GUIDED ROADBIKE TOUR
Montefalco and the roads in the Sagrantino winescape

Cycling through vineyards and magical landscapes

from 70€ Per person
Price is lower based on umber of people
WINE TASTING
Montefalco wine tasting

Getting to know the wines of the Montefalco area with this wine tasting

25€ Per person
Price is lower based on umber of people
PRIVATE GUIDED TREKKING TOUR
Monteluco di Spoleto – the way of the hermits

In the footsteps of the hermits on a path steeped in nature and spirituality

from 75€ Per person
Price is lower based on umber of people
PRIVATE GUIDED TREKKING TOUR
Narni and the Cardona woods

From Narni to the woods that mark the geographic centre of Italy

from 75€ Per person
Price is lower based on umber of people

Fortified villages in Umbria – rare hidden gems

Umbria didn’t look at all like it does today 400 years ago. There was a very large lake, Lake Tiberino, that had covered half of the region’s surface area for over ten million years. Then the impetuous geological and climatic changes caused the water to dry up, although not all of it. When humans arrived here for the first time, they found a huge stretch of swampland and marshes that weren’t very inhabitable. In fact, the first settlements formed in hilly areas far from the unwholesome plains. A long series of reclamation works began during the Etruscan-Roman period, which didn’t end until the 19th century. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Umbria began to go through very troubled times. First there were invasions by Germanic populations and fierce battles with the Byzantine Empire, then the constant rivalry struggles between the Papal state and the Empire that exposed the small villages to continuous wars and with a constant need to defend themselves. The settlements on the hills built walls around the communities, and here and there the first castles appeared in the most strategic spots. In the meantime, religious monastic groups of the times, always looking for isolated areas for their ascetics, found an ideal place in the Umbrian mountains for the development of their mystical spirituality and for the establishment of many monasteries and abbeys. Fortresses, castles and religious compounds are the founding nuclei of the many fortified villages (borghi) that Umbria has excellently preserved. These kinds of settlements remained the most significant until the mid-1800s when suddenly modern times brought by the Italian Revival set in and aroused the small Umbrian towns from Papal lethargy, and which eventually witnessed the ever rapid descent of the inhabitants down to the valleys – at first only the farmers – who put down roots for new urbanization.

Such historical events are characteristic exclusively of Umbria and distinguish its landscapes, which are very different from other areas of Italy. The relative isolation of the small villages (borghi), which developed over time as autonomous entities often in conflict with others, has meant that each territory developed their own unique identity. Each place preserves its own typical customs that are just waiting to be discovered- from their food, to festivals and all the traditions that contain the profound expression of folk culture to refined artistic works.  Within the old walls of these small town jewels there is not a single site or work that characterizes its surroundings, the fortified town itself is a historical monument to explore. The best way to know it and understand it is to visit it. Switch off your cell phones, take off your watches and let your instincts guide you; lose yourself in the narrow cobbled streets, which have been passed over by people for centuries, and which have taken a certain shape from the persistent, constant trampling of footsteps, hooves and wagon wheels.

Keep your head up to see among the roofs the bell towers and towers that reach toward the sky. Find the views and admire the landscapes, whether they are lush and boundless valleys or imposing and silent mountains. Try to imagine, why not, those valleys – now urbanized and chaotic – deserted, marshy, and dotted here and there by small settlements, and those wooded mountains – now deserted and wild – alive and populated by monks, wayfarers, shepherds with their flocks, lumberjacks, soldiers and bandits. Sit down at a table and order one of the most typical dishes that the earth has to offer. Relax and think about what you have seen and imagined; these are two important moments of your experience. And if you like, do it all over again.

Repeat the experience dozens of times in all the small towns you encounter on your tour; every time you will find new and different impressions and sensations. Do this with little, simple information that Exploring Umbria offers you for all the most beautiful uphill and fortified villages (borghi) in Umbria.

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