For travelers seeking authentic food and wine experiences, Umbria should rank high on their "must-visit" list, particularly in autumn, when the region's seasonal bounty is at its peak. The otherwise tranquil countryside is a buzz of activity during the fall, with wine, oil and saffron harvests in full swing, truffle hunting in high gear and such crops as beans and mushrooms coming due. Area restaurants and rustic trattorias enrich their menus with all the new offerings.

While neighbor Tuscany is the better-known Italian country destination, Umbria, in addition to the phenomenal food offerings, has many reasons to visit, including gorgeous hill towns and villages and world-renowned art and architecture. “At a distance of only 1.5-2 hours from both Rome and Florence, it’s the perfect stop when traveling from the north to the south of Italy,” says Cassandra Santoro,  founder and CEO of Travel Italian Style, a New York-based travel company specializing in custom Italian itineraries.