Slow Umbria: The slow food, slow travel capital of Italy

[marmar]

from the BBC:



Slow Umbria




Leave Rome its Colosseum and Venice its canals. Let Tuscany have its masterpieces, along with its long lines. Umbria is the slow food, slow travel capital of Italy. It is the Italophile's Italy, the green heart that rolls up its sleeves and gets to work with remaining authentically Italian.

The heavily agricultural region has an impressive share of art and history, but its isolation as a Papal state during the Renaissance means its medieval history has been well preserved. Tourism marketing? No way. Umbrians are too busy lingering over dinner with friends and family, growing organic lentils or strolling through the piazza during the evening's passeggiata.

The triumvirate of Umbrian tourism -- Assisi, Perugia and Orvieto -- sees the majority of international visitors, but even four million sets of modestly-covered shoulders cannot take away from the feeling of peace that permeates the air over Assisi's Basilica of St Francis. Visitors flock to Perugia for the dozens of museums, the university culture found in cafes and on the cathedral steps, and to wander through the hilltop cityscape of medieval stone. The glow of Orvieto's golden cathedral will make you appreciate a sunset like few other places in the world.

However, to see the slow side of Umbria, step off the well-trodden path. With a bit of pre-planning, you can sample traditional fare, find the eco-conscious destinations that only locals know about and bask in the benefits of Umbria’s slow pace. .......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20111020-slow-umbria

[kestrel91316]

1. My sister and BIL went to Italy in 2010 and, among other things, did a

week long walking tour of Umbria.

[izquierdista]

2. Slow?

I have to conclude that the writer has never been to Puglia, which easily holds the world record for longest siestas.