| Umbria is the only region of Italy that has no | | | | kilometers) east of Orvieto for the Corsa all'Anello |
| seacoast and borders no foreign country. But is a | | | | a competition honoring their Patron Saint |
| great place to visit, especially in springtime. Many | | | | Giovanale in which traditionally dressed (we're |
| of its cities and towns are medieval and often are | | | | talking about the Middle Ages) competitors try to |
| in the hills. Early March may be chilly, but before | | | | run a spear through a ring. The previous night |
| long you will enjoy the spring. The capital and | | | | there's a huge, costumed parade. |
| largest city, Perugia, hosts the Umbria Wine | | | | The city of Assisi, population about 25 thousand, |
| Festival in the second half of March. Look for | | | | approximately 15 miles (25 kilometers) east of |
| Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG and Torgiano DOCG | | | | Perugia holds the National Antique Trade Fair |
| reds, the first of which may be passito (sweet). | | | | starting about the 20th of April and running into |
| On March 20 and 21 go to Norcia, a small town of | | | | the first week of May. This is one fine antique |
| about 5 thousand, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) | | | | show and one great tourist city attracting several |
| northeast of Terni for the Feast of St. Benedict, | | | | million tourists annually. I don't have to tell you |
| the town's Patron Saint. On the first evening a | | | | that the crowds are more manageable in spring |
| torch originating in a selected European capital | | | | than in summer. In mid-May beautiful Lake |
| arrives in town and is welcomed by many | | | | Piediluco, dominated by the ruins of the medieval |
| European ambassadors. The following day is a | | | | fortress and its walls, hosts the Paolo D'Aloja |
| medieval celebration. | | | | Memorial International Rowing Regatta opening the |
| The city of Castiglione del Lago, population 15 | | | | international rowing season. Many world and |
| thousand, about 30 miles (45 kilometers) holds a | | | | Olympic champions compete. The city of Gubbio, |
| Sagra Del Tulipano (Tulip Festival) in mid -April. | | | | population 33 thousand, about 25 miles (40 |
| There are floats and a historical procession to | | | | kilometers) northeast of Perugia hosts the Ceri |
| honor the Duke of Ascanio Corgna, a local bigwig | | | | Race Festival on May 15, the eve of the |
| from the Renaissance days. City neighborhoods | | | | anniversary of the death of its patron St. Ubaldo. |
| compete for the Palio (banner). You may want to | | | | Young people carry three gigantic wooden |
| taste Duca della Corgna wine with local food | | | | structures weighing about 400 kilos (about 900 |
| specialties and you'll enjoy the majorettes and | | | | pounds) on their shoulders from the historic town |
| folkloric ballet. | | | | center to the top of Mount Ingino. An enthusiastic |
| The city of Terni, population 110 thousand, 65 | | | | crowd cheers them on. This is one emotional |
| miles (105 kilometers) north of Rome holds the | | | | religious event. The Ceri of Gubbio have been |
| Umbria Jazz Gospel & Soul Easter Festival in | | | | adopted as the coat-of-arms for the Region of |
| late April. This festival centers on Afro-American | | | | Umbria. You can finish the month (May 28) at the |
| gospel music but includes more contemporary | | | | crossbow Palio, a target-shooting contest with |
| music such as soul, funk, rhythm and blues, and | | | | medieval fixed crossbows between Gubbio and |
| good old jazz. Many concerts are held in the | | | | the Tuscan city of San Sepolcro. Do I need |
| Cathedral and other beautiful churches. Towards | | | | mention that the competitors and others wear |
| the end of the month go to the city of Narni, | | | | historical costumes? After the contest a grand |
| population 20 thousand, about 40 miles (65 | | | | procession winds through the torch-lit streets. |