Luxury DMC IC Bellagio takes us on an adventure to the Mt. Sibillini National Park and the Castelluccio Plains of Norcia, two iconic examples of Umbria’s endless natural beauty.
What makes the park so special to this region?
Umbria is known as “the green heart of Italy” and this region claims the most famous eco-lover of all time, Saint Francis. The flora and fauna of the Sibillini mountains embody the area’s wild spirit from wolves and elusive mountain cats to roe deer, porcupine, and the royal eagle which has recently begun to build nests in areas abandoned for years. The woodland forests are impressive, but most enchanting are the colorful legume blooms across the basin of the Castelluccio plains – like gazing down into a real-life impressionist painting.
When is the best time to visit?
The high plains of Castelluccio are stunning from May to early July, when the flowers in the fields burst into a thousand hues. Grab a sandwich filled with some of the delicious local specialties, like prosciutto di Norcia or the famous pecorino cheese, and hike into the mountains to best enjoy the view. Or, if extreme sports are your thing, hang-gliding or paragliding will give you an eagle-eyed view over this grand spectacle.
What role does nature play in the culture and economy of the region?
Umbrian agriculture is noted for its tobacco, olive oil and vineyards, which produce excellent wines. Umbrian wineries are at the center of the Cantine Aperte or “Open Cellars” event, when local wine makers open to the public. Another typical Umbrian product is the black truffle found in Valnerina, an area that produces 45% of the black truffles in Italy!
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