Umbria lies in the centre of Italy bordered by Tuscany in the west, Marche in the east and Lazio in the south. It is the only landlocked region in Italy without a foreign border. A hilly and mountainous region, it is often referred to as the green heart of Italy. Umbria is a region of castles and quaint medieval hill top villages set amongst rolling green hills, forests, rivers and fertile farm land supporting crops of wheat and tobacco, while olive groves and vineyards adorn the slopes. This is a place for those wanting to escape the pressure of modern life, who enjoy nature and the peace and tranquility that comes from stepping back into the past, Umbria is often seen as a less developed and less touristed alternative to Tuscany and the people who live there or visit there regard it with a special affection.

Accommodation in Umbria tends to be rural - cottages, farmhouses and country houses. Agriturismos are very popular. These are usually converted farm buildings or apartments in an estate house, somewhat similar to a farmstay in Australia. There are also country b&bs, villas or historic stone houses and sometimes some unusual places to stay such as converted monastries and olive mills.