Bordering the Tuscan region is the lush Umbria region, in which lies Assisi. Its history stretching back to around 1000 B.C., it has a uniquely spiritual feel that goes beyond the presence of many churches, temples and Basilicas.

Assisi holds the unmissable Basilica di San Francesco, frescoed by renowned artists including Giotto, whose depiction of St. Francis’ life dates back to the 1300s. There is Basilica di Santa Chiara where the saint’s body is displayed and the Baroque Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli where St. Francis died, his rope belt now on show.

Contrasting spiritual Assisi is the cultural and artistic Cortona. A quintessential Tuscan town, it is dissected by one main street from which stretch out a number of quaint alleyways buttressed by stunning Tuscan views.

The Etruscans named the area Curtun some 7 centuries B.C. After later falling under Roman rule, Cortona then passed through various ruling powers throughout its long history. What stands testament to its past is predominantly Medieval, although parts of Etruscan walls also still stand.

Cortona’s main sites include Etruscan tombs, the Duocesan Museum featuring panels by Fra Angelico, the splendid Piazza Garibaldi, the Palazzo Casali holding the Etruscan museum, and the domed Santa Maria Nuova church by Vasari from 1554.