The Upper Tiber Valley is the homeland of great artists with a worldwide fame, such as Michelangelo Buonarroti, Piero della Francesca, Luca Pacioli, and includes the towns of Sansepolcro, Anghiari, Caprese Michelangelo, Città di Castello and Monterchi.

The Upper Tiber Valley is the northernmost Umbrian territory. Wedged between Tuscany and the rugged mountains of the Marches, this region has a unique cultural and social character. The people of this region have been master hunters and gatherers for centuries. Wild mushroom varieties (porcini), tartufo bianco e nero (white and black truffles), cinghiale (wild boar), coniglio (rabbit) are foods typically found on kitchen tables. The Tiber River runs through the entire length of the valley for 50 kilometers and provides the valley with great fertility. Still largely farmed with tobacco, each year sees more fields turned over to produce and feed for livestock.

Umbria is a region of rolling hills, wooded valleys, lakes and mountains, dotted with innumerable towns and villages dating from the Middle Ages or before, most of which have been delightfully restored in recent years, and each of which offers the visitor a range of interesting things to see and do: there are numerous historical monuments, churches and art galleries to visit, medieval quarters to stroll around where traditional craft shops nestle beside more modern architecture, in a harmonious blend of old and new that thoroughly epitomizes the spirit of the Umbria region.

That is how this beautiful region of central Italy is often portrayed. True, you'll find relatively few crowds of visitors in Umbria. And as in Tuscany, you'll come across many lovely medieval towns and villages atop hills clad in pine and olive trees. Yet, in terms of character and style, Umbria is gently different to its more famous neighbor. While Tuscany is bold and striking, Umbria is understated and contemplative, exuding a sense of timelessness and a wonderfully serene atmosphere.

Less than half the size of Tuscany, Umbria relishes its promotional slogan "the green heart of Italy". And that's not an overblown description: it lies in the middle of Italy. The region's lush good looks result from a generous supply of water: Lake Trasimeno lies to the west, while the Tiber and its tributaries wind through Umbria's leafy valleys and ravines.

Umbria is well endowed with parks, too, particularly the lovely Mount Subasio and Mount Cucco parks on the eastern border, which is formed by the Apennines. Quite apart from such natural good looks, Umbria, like Tuscany, offers intriguing traces of a rich past. Yet whereas Tuscany dazzles with its Renaissance art, Umbria reveals subtler treasures. Many of its old towns incorporate ancient remains of Etruscan and Roman settlements, while its art reflects an otherworldly, ethereal outlook in contrast to Tuscany's more intellectual drive. And, more pragmatically, Umbria is back on the no-frills map with new direct flights from Stansted to Perugia, its buzzing little capital, on Ryanair.

Artistically, spiritually and indeed emotionally, the small town of ASSISI is Umbria's crowning glory. It was here that one Giovanni di Bernardone was born in 1182. The son of a rich merchant, he was nicknamed Francesco, or Francis, because his mother was French. After spending much of his youth as a gadabout he dedicated himself to a devout life of simplicity and poverty, gained a reputation for befriending birds and other animals, and established a new monastic order. St Francis died in Assisi in 1226 at the age of 44. The day after his canonization in 1228, work began on a monastic church complex commemorating him. Ironically, given the unworldly philosophy of St Francis, the complex is huge and glorious, and was decorated by the finest 13th- and 14thcentury artists. It comprises two basilicas: the darker, lower church adorned with astonishing frescos by Simone Martini and the great master Giotto; and the bright upper church with works by Cimabue and a fine fresco cycle attributed to Giotto. A severe earthquake in 1997 caused enormous damage to the complex, yet the churches and the artworks have been painstakingly repaired and reassembled. The restoration was by no means only for art's sake: the Basilica of St Francis is one of the most-visited pilgrimage sites in Italy and tourists here join large flocks of devout travelers.

SPOLETO, further south, is glamorous and arty. It contains a Roman theatre (still in use) and a stunning 12th-century cathedral. For two weeks every summer Spoleto hosts one of Europe's most vibrant festivals. The Festival dei Due Mondi embraces the globe, sharing Italian zest with the diaspora in America and Australia. Only Italy, though, can boast mouthwatering markets of the kind that you find compressed into the centre of Spoleto.

These markets often have the same stall holders and are listed below in case you want to go to a market on a particular day for fresh fruit and vegetables, or just the fun of the fair.

Monday - Pieve Santo Stefano

Tuesday - Sansepolcro

Wednesday - Anghiari

Thursday - Citta' di Castello

Friday - San Giustino

Saturday - Sansepolcro / Citta' di Castello

Sunday – Monterchi* A significant Sunday market that is very convenient for international guests arriving on Saturday as all supermarkets and shops are closed on Sunday!

The Italian calendar is saturated with celebrations of one sort or another, often related to religious dates which can vary according to the year. If you accidentally come across one, do not worry about participating as they are all very public events and all are welcome. Some are quite small and very local, while others have taken on international fame such as the Palio in Siena in June and August. Below is a list of most of the major festivities in the Tiber Valley and a few larger ones from nearby and elsewhere. In many cases no exact dates can be given and they are generally over a weekend or two, so we have tried to give you an idea of what to expect during the time you are here.

GUBBIO; May 15. Festival of the ‘Ceri’. This is a must see event if at all possible… Medieval Madness on a grand scale; three teams carrying large wooden ‘candles’ race around the main square then up the mountain. Inspirational!

UMBERTIDE; Festival di Primavera/ Springtime, celebrating the arrival of spring.

MONTE SANTA MARIA TIBERINA; Festa dellí Ascensione, an historic religious procession in this small, enchanting, very hill top town.

CASTIGLION FIORENTINO; Palio dei Rioni, Third Sunday in June; Traditional horse race between the quarters of the town…starting to rival Siena.

AREZZO; Giostra del Saracino; traditional bi annual equestrian competition dating back to 1677... magnificent Medieval costume procession.

ANGHIARI; La Battaglia di 1440; Celebration of the famous battle of Anghiari on June 29, 1440.

SIENA. PALIO della Madonna di Providenza; THE Palio…First run!

PIEVE SANTO STEFANO; Mignano 1498, assalto al castello; Recalls the assault on the castle in 1498.

SELCI [SAN GIUSTINO]; Festa della Ranocchia; Festival of the Frog with gastronomic delicacies, music and sport.

PERUGIA: Umbria Jazz Festival for 10 days in mid July is a great event with lots of high class music and plenty of free performances…worth visiting just for the atmosphere.

PLEASE CHECK THE WEB SITE www.umbriajazz.com SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT INTERNATIONALJAZZ PLAYERS WILL THE THERE

PIEVE SANTO STEFANO; Corteo storico dei Rioni; Procession of the representatives from each district for the run up to the Palio dei Lumi…exhibition by flag-wavers from Castiglion Fiorentino.

CORTONA; Tuscan Sun Festival; 1-9 August 2009 - Two weeks of concerts, plus art events in classical Cortona.

THE TUSCAN FESTIVAL IS AN INTERNATIONAL ART EVENT, AMERICANS LOVE CORTONA AFTER THE "UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN" BOOK – FRANCES MAYES IS ONE OF THE ART DIRECTORS THE FESTIVAL IS ALSO HELD IN NAPA AND SINGAPORE

PLEASE CHECK www.tuscansunfestival.com

SIENA; PALIO della Madonna di Providenza; THE Palio…second run!

MONTONE; Rievocazione della donazione della sacra spina; Religious celebration in honor of a famous relic from the Crown of Thorns.

CORTONA; Sagra del Fungo Porcino; local Porcini mushroom gastronomic delights.

MONTEPULCIANO; Bravio delle Botti; Battle of the Wine Barrels. Roll out the barrel in this famous wine town. Food and wine all night.

ANGHIARI; Tradizionale Festa degli Ospiti; Traditional festival of the guests, Festa di Santo Stefano.

PIEVE SANTO STEFANO; Palio dei Lumi Palio of the lamps; Historical soccer match between the districts and parade in costume.

AREZZO; Giostra del Saraceno; traditional bi annual equestrian competition dating back to 1677. Huge costumed Medieval re-enactment. Knights on horseback compete for the honor of their district.

SANSEPOLCRO; Settimana Rinascimentale del Borgo; Almost daily events leading up to the Balestra/Cross-Bow competition between traditional rivals Sansepolcro and Gubbio, on the second Sunday of September. Crossbow men from the two towns are supported by a great historical procession, musicians, and captivating exhibitions of flag waving.

CITTA' DI CASTELLO; Festival delle Nazioni; Festival of the Nations; Annual classical music Festival, themed on a particular nation, staged in a variety of interesting locations in the vicinity.

CITERNA; Autumn Festival; Second Weekend in October; Excellent show of local handicrafts.

PERUGIA; EuroChocolate; The festival for Chocolate lovers celebrating the best local and international chocolate delights…fairground fun.

CAPRESE MICHELANGELO; Festa della Castagna; Celebrating autumn and the delights of forest food.

ANGHIARI; Cento gusti dell’Appennino; 100 tastes of the Apennines local fair featuring many local products with typical flavors from the area.

AREZZO - ALL YEAR ROUND; Fiera Antiquaria; Antiques Fair; This is perhaps the best known and best attended Antiques Market in Italy with over 500 stall holders. Held on the first Sunday of every month, and the preceding Saturday it draws visitors and exhibitors from all over Italy and abroad…very interesting even if you don’t buy anything.

This is perhaps the best known and best attended Antiques Market in Italy with over 500 stall holders. Held on the first Sunday of every month, and the preceding Saturday, it draws visitors and exhibitors from all over Italy and abroad…very interesting even if you don’t buy anything.