Umbria, as a region, has largely been left untouched and unspoiled by tourism. A villa rental in Umbria offers a look back into the past. It is shrouded in mystery with historians uncertain even as to what the name of the Umbrians, the original inhabitants, means.

Perugia, the capital, is a gem. It is a well preserved medieval hill town with plenty of museums and churches to admire and, while it is one of the more modern towns in Umbria, it still holds on to much of its traditional past. Assisi is another beautiful hilltop famous for Saint Francis.

The food of Umbria varies from village to village and her wine is famous. Orvieto was a semisweet wine praised by the painters, popes and princes alike and was the most celebrated wine of the region. The modern Orvieto, meanwhile, is one of Italy's best-selling commercial wines today.

Museums abound here and The National Gallery of Umbria, in particular, should not be missed. For nature lovers, the Falls of Marmore are an unbelievable sight and the highest in Italy. Basically, you'll never be stuck for something to do once you find a villa rental in Umbria and the region offers an authentic Italian experience rather than something manufactured and aimed at tourists.