Urban trekking in Perugia

Perugia,one of the most famous cities of Umbria is famous for being a place that over the years has combining history and tradition with fun and modern lifetsyle.

Umbrian town is visited every year by a lot of tourists, students and professionists. Even though Perugia is not a city comparable to metropolis like Rome or Milan, inside there coexist many different cultures that made Perugia a city of the world. If you have never visited this destination we suggest a short tour to discover some lesser known corners of the city; the route is a real itinerary of urban trekking and winds through the streets of the city to discover the tourist's excellences in Perugia.

After you have reaching the city and have booked your accommodation (we suggest to choose a typical Perugia hotel, unpack your luggage and starts with the first step: Porta Sole. The district of Porta Sole is the highest point of Perugia, with its 494 meters above the sea level. From here the route follows the city walls from Volta della Pace to Piccinino square where you can admire the ancient medieval tower Piccinino.

From Porta Sole continue along the old walls of the city up to Porta Sant'Angelo, located in the district of Sant 'Angelo (the largest of the outskirts of Perugia) where you can admire the ancient medieval fortress that protected the door. Passing in front of the University of Perugia you arrive in Porta of Santa Susanna in via della Sposa where you can visit the Parish of St. Andrew.

The external facade of the door, made ​​by Agostino di Duccio and Polidoro di Stefano and between 1475 and 1480, is through its decorative architectural composition Etruscan Arch. Inside, the door houses the Chapel of the Good Counsel.

Top 15 luxury hotels in Italy

The American magazine Forbes Traveller, dedicated to luxury travel and destinations, has compiled the ranking of the 15 most luxurious hotels in Italy.

The parameters considered are: location, elegant rooms with beautiful marble and toillette, technological comforts, a roof garden, a cellar worthy wine makers and experts equipped with a prestigious wine list, and, last but not least, quality of service and cuisine .

These hotels have been selected among the most luxurious in the world and represent the top of the charming hotels in Italy, the ranking is as follows:

1. Hotel de Russie
2. Portrait Suites
3. Hassler
4. St. Regis Gran Hotel
5. Hotel Eden
6. Hotel Savoy, Firenze
7. Hotel Lungarno, Firenze
8. Villa San Michele, Massa Pisana, Lucca
9. Villa La Massa, Firenze
10. Relais il Falconiere, Cortona, Arezzo
11. Il San Pietro, Positano
12. Le Sirenuse, Positano
13. Santa Caterina, AmalfirnHotel Caruso, Ravello
14. Palazzo Sasso, Ravello
15. Luna Hotel Baglioni a Venezia

Growth of tourism in Umbria in 2011

Tourism continues to be one of the leading sectors of the Umbria economy. From January to November 2011, tourism in Umbria has recorded over the same period of 2010, an increase of 7.65% of arrivals and presences of 7.20%.

Overall, arrivals amounted to two million of presences, while the share of attendance affect 5 million of tourists. A great growth, when comparing the figures with those of the past, when the total arrivals was 1 million 942 thousand 578 and the attendance of 5 million 433 thousand 755.

These are the latest data on tourism in Umbria, collected by the Tourist Service of the Region, surfed on the movement (the districts of the provinces of Perugia and Terni) and seasonality. "A positive picture and comforting, especially in times of crisis - says Regional Councillor for Tourism Fabrizio Bracco - who corrects and updates from ISTAT data published yesterday by a newspaper, and in which the figure in 17th place in Umbria ranking among the regions.

Compared to the facilities the most growth in terms of tourists presences was recorded first for farm houses second for hotels in Umbria.

New Year's Day itinerary in Umbria

Have you ever thought of spending a New Year's Day different than usual, perhaps on the road?
Today we propose a route for the 2011 New Year's Eve to the discovery of Umbria with our tips for discovering the best of this region during the transition to the new year.
Sit back, prepare your bags, book countryhouse in Umbria and begin our journey.
It starts from Perugia, the capital city of the region, where between Christmas markets, street performers and many college students can discover the charm of the old town walking through the narrow medieval streets to discover corners very suggestive of a lovely city.
Going up to the high Umbria, Lake Trasimeno are small with its ancient villages where the New Year is colored reflections of the fireworks over the water, these days you have the chance to discover the sounds of one of Gospel's most important festivals in Italy, the Umbria Gospel Festival, which will accompany the transition to the new year with the great artists of the international gospel scene

Going to the south we come to Gubbio, where the New Year is celebrated in the square, the "Piazza Grande in New Year's Eve event ... waiting for the New Year" sponsored by the town of Gubbio offers a program rich with an evening of live music and shows the streets of the old town with the traditional sound of the bell.
We now move to the province of Terni, where the appointments are so many New Year 2012: Umbria Jazz Winter begins with the show of Orvieto with Happy New Year! Funk Off on Stage, the New Year's Day discovering Marmore Waterfalls, the highest waterfall in Europe and the New Year's Day in many villages of Valnerina, where tradition and folklore come together into a spectacular New Year's Day.

The occasions eg spend New Year's Eve 2012 in Umbria are many, and if you have not yet chosen your destination, try searching through the many last minute to stay that offers Umbria.

The Ways of the Nativity in Gubbio

Umbria is a region closely linked to the traditions and during the Christmas holiday many countries in Umbria recall the birth of Jesus through Nativity scenes, real representations of history and Christian tradition.

Among the many nativity scenes of Umbria we recommend you the Nativity of Gubbio, which takes place from 8 December 2011 at 6 January 2012 on the historic district of San Martin, the Christmas crib is set up by life-sized characters that populate the city ​​streets and winding through the narrow medieval streets.

The imagination and the skill of craftsmen and artists give rise to  characters who seem to live with the locals, fell in an almost real busy scenes of everyday life and in the crafts and arts of ancient Gubbio.

For visit Umbria you can book an Hotel in Gubbio