Umbrian Wine Tasting With Gusto Wine Tours

We have now lived in Umbria for three years, and although we do spend half of every year in North America, we have really learned to embrace all that Umbria has to offer, including the amazing wines produced here. Everyone across the world is probably quite familiar with some of the more popular wines from…
[Read More]

Communications

Post Offices – Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday 8:30am-7:30pm although many smaller offices are open mornings only. You can buy stamps (francoboli) in tabacchi (tobacco shops), and in some gift shops in tourist spots. Phones – The number of pay phones across Italy has dropped significantly in recent years and those still in…
[Read More]

Insurance And Health Concerns

EU citizens can take advantage of Italy’s health services under the same terms as the residents of the country, but you’ll need form E111, available from any main post office. The Australian Medicare system also has a reciprocal healthcare arrangement with Italy. Italy has no medical program covering citizens from the US and Canada. US…
[Read More]

Passport And Tourist Regulations

All EU citizens can enter Italy and stay as long as they want with proof of a valid passport. A visa is not required for US, Canadian, Australia or New Zealand citizens holding a valid passport unless they expect to stay in Italy for more than 90 days or are entering the country for study…
[Read More]

Automobile Rental

Although the train and bus system across Italy is quite extensive and easy to navigate, if you truly want to experience all that Umbria has to offer you’ll want to rent a car. Driving in Italy in general can be an adventure although driving around Umbria is very safe and unless you try driving through…
[Read More]

Safety

Umbria in general is considered a safe region, however if you have difficulties requiring help each town has a police office open 24 hours a day. Medical care in Umbria is fairly accessible as well, but do look into obtaining health insurance before you travel. It is important no matter where you travel in Italy…
[Read More]

General Travel Tips

These general tips apply to wherever you may travel to in Italy including Umbria. Etiquette – Not all places allow picture taking. Museums, especially, often retain sole rights to photograph their works. Flash photography is especially frowned upon as being disruptive. Many churches and museums require appropriate dress and in fact have guards on the…
[Read More]

Eurochocolate

If you are a chocoholic, then Umbria is the place to be each year in October when the region hosts Eurochocolate, an annual chocolate festival that takes place in Perugia, the region’s capital. This chocolate festival is the most popular chocolate festival in Europe and has been held since 1993. It is also one of the…
[Read More]

Porchettiamo

Umbrian Market Tour

One of our favorite things to do each week here in Umbria is to visit the local outdoor markets. You can easily visit a market each day if you choose to, and in fact some days there are as many as five markets of various sizes running across the region on a given day. In…
[Read More]