On the face of it, Umbria and her more famous next door neighbour have a lot in common. But if Toscana is the beautiful sister, the one who gets all the attention, all the admiring glances and suitors lining up at her door, Umbria might just be the one you’d actually like to come home to….
Destination Umbria 
lily May 29, 2012
These are Gorgeous photos, Janine! I just want to reach out and touch the stone or stand in the doorways. I hope you are doing so, at very least…! Wishing you happy times and a peaceful heart, as always. ~ Lily
janinevasta May 29, 2012
I certainly am Lily! Thank you for being so sweet!! Maybe even more than colours here in Umbria, it’s the textures I love. xx
Debra Kolkka May 29, 2012
I honestly can’t see much difference between Tuscany and Umbria, they are both gorgeous.
janinevasta May 29, 2012
It’s a fascinating topic Debra….. I love both regions too – but for different reasons. It’s the thing that makes travelling even a short distance in Italy so worthwhile…
Lisa DeNunzio May 29, 2012
Sometimes Umbria seems to be considered ‘the step-sister to Tuscany’, but I for one adore Umbria. Some years ago we rented a home in Todi and used that as a jumping off point to visit all the wonderful art in the area. My favorite Piero della Francesca. Perugia is a short hop away with all the amenities of a university town. Che bella.
Best, Lisa
janinevasta May 29, 2012
That sounds like a fabulous holiday Lisa. Umbria is a well kept secret and those in the know don’t seem to mind a bit!!! Todi is a beautiful city too. It does you good just to walk around, not to mention those green views…..Che bella si!!! Jxx
jann May 29, 2012
I completely agree with you, Janine! Umbria is calmer, less touristy, less discovered, more off the beaten track. I love that about it. Is it really that green in Umbria now? Such a pretty photo. Our grass down in Sicily is pretty yellowish & dry, even though it was a super rainy spring… Hope you’re having a super time up there!!!
janinevasta May 29, 2012
Jann, thank you!! Yes Umbria is all those things and more…. And I can assure you my dear that it really truly is that green!!! I just can’t believe how luscious everything looks here this Spring. Umbria really is the green heart of Italy! Jxx
orvietoorbust May 29, 2012
Janiine, If Toscana is the Beauty Queen, then Umbria is the girl who never got called when choosing sides for basketball, but because she isn’t the center of attention, she develops into a deeper, smarter more profound personality….she has looks and brains now….check her out! Great photos from home. toni
janinevasta May 29, 2012
Proprio quello che pensavo io….La ragazza con gli occhiali…hahha! I love Tuscany too but there’s a simplicity about Umbria, a shyness even, that goes straight to my heart. Un abbraccio forte e tanti saluti da casa tua. xxxxxx
JeannieRichard May 29, 2012
Well, i don;t care who is the belle and who is the sister, i just know that they are all beautiful to behold!
And that you and I got played by wordpress! I thought I was following you too and until realized that it was in the reader that did not get set to receive notifications when you have something new, humph!!
I especially love the third photo, the perspective angle from the roof, reminds me of the days when i would sit on my own roof outside my bedroom window… but the view in your photo is 1000% much more calming, beautiful and just *sigh*….
janinevasta May 29, 2012
Grazie cara…..Roof sitting….what a beautiful thing. I am happy to have brought that memory back for you. You will have to try it in Italy some day!! đŸ˜‰ Un abbraccio. xxxx
JeannieRichard May 30, 2012
Definitely will visit Italy!
On another note, we’ve just nominated you for the Kreativ Blogger award đŸ˜€ > http://jeannierichard.wordpress.com/2012/05/29/gone-and-back-and-being-kreative-ly-awarded/
Baci Janine!
janinevasta May 31, 2012
Well you are a sweetheart and a half Jeannie!! Grazie! Sono onorata davvero! Bacioni.xxxx
Robyn May 29, 2012
Di certo! And your wonderful photos entice us more. đŸ™‚
Loving those close-ups by the way. x
janinevasta May 31, 2012
Grazie cara!!!!! I am so happy you are liking the close ups. It will be wonderful to see you here one day….soon I hope! It will happen I’ve got a feeling…. Un abbraccio forte. Jxxxx
paninigirl May 29, 2012
I’ve only been to Umbria once for four days and we stayed just outside of Bevagna and we loved the area. I really would like to do more exploring. We did get to Deruta and Norcia too.
janinevasta May 31, 2012
Well you’ve certainly had a taste of Umbria. Perugia and Assisi you would love. Perugia especially I think. Lots to explore and a nice buzz about it being a university town. I would love to have you here now for a trial tour…;-)
Shelagh May 29, 2012
There are so many faces to Italy, and they all have so many special charms. Having spent a lot of time in many of them, I go for the neglected sisters – the places that aren’t overrun by expats and tourists like me!
janinevasta May 31, 2012
How funny! I like your style Shelagh! Spreading the love….;-) But apart from that, I love getting to parts of Italy where really there’s no English and life has really carried on with traditions and daily rituals intact. Umbria is wonderful from that point of view.
lily May 31, 2012
Thinking of you Janine, and hoping that all is wonderful! Italy has its golden light, and I imagine you are glowing when you are there. Wishing you joy and looking forward to seeing your photos and hearing your stories. Ciao, ~ Lily
janinevasta May 31, 2012
Indeeed I am dear Lily…How did you know! You are indeed keeping me in your thoughts. I can feel that and thank you. Grazie di cuore cara. xx
Genie June 2, 2012
Beautiful!
janinevasta June 3, 2012
So glad you think so! Grazie!