Almond blossoms overlooking Trevi, Perugia district, Umbria, Italy

© Maurizio Rellini/eStock Phot

Trevi in bloom

Perched high above the lush Italian countryside is Trevi, a great medieval hill town. Trevi is considered one of the prettiest of the medieval towns that dot the Umbria region. Counts and cardinals built these communities to show off their wealth and they built them high to keep them safe from rivals.

Surrounding Trevi is a rock wall built about 2,000 years ago. From there, it's a winding walk up through cobbled streets and squares lined with buildings from the Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance eras. Flowers spill from window boxes and markets are piled high with local goods, including black truffles, black celery, asparagus and olive oil, said to be among the best in Italy.

There's nothing quite like stopping for a classic Umbrian meal (with a local red wine) before making your way to the top of Trevi to take in views of the lush countryside below. Francis of Assisi loved this area so much, he wandered it by foot for years. And is it any wonder? From here, you can see olive groves covering the mountains and dense forests where those elusive black truffles grow.