Beyond Norcia's walls mountains fill the horizon, and it's easy to forget that you're in the relatively confined space of central Italy. Venture into this terrain and it feels more akin to the New Zealand portrayed in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Head towards those mountains and, after climbing over a thousand metres, you sink into the splendour of the Piano Grande. It was once a vast glacier formed lake, and now, at nearly 1,300 metres, is one of the highest and wildest plains in Europe with snow-capped mountains of over 2,000 metres encircling the plain. It is a truly unforgettable sight, and at the far end the village of Castelluccio crowns the hillside. Come in June and witness a kaleidoscopic sea of wild flowers on the flat, a photographer's dream.

Castelluccio, home of lentils, ricotta and pecorino cheeses, and the odd shepherd, is a suitably windswept place. The local agriturismo is the perfect place to kick back for a few days and gorge on the aforementioned specialities and drink local wine for about one pound a litre. And the Piano Grande is one of the best places to hang-glide in Europe, so there's enough to keep you active. There are also plenty of rifugi (refuges) on the hillsides equipped for walkers to spend the night, and you can even try glacier skiing on Monte Vettore (2476 metres), the highest mountain in the Park.

It feels the middle of nowhere and miles from the tourist trail with Rome about three hours drive away. Therefore it is essential to hire a car.

The more well-known highlights of Umbria include the stunning town of Assisi, home of St Francis, and the city of Perugia, the location of summer jazz festivals and an eccentric football team.

Umbria's people are relaxed, the scenery is stunning, and the food and wine exquisite. It is well worth the trip, especially if Rome becomes too manic and Tuscany too familiar. And for those wishing to escape the mountains for the sea, there is a choice of two different coastlines on either side of the country.

For more travel information about Italy, each region and the main tourist cities, visit JustItaly.org

If you are looking for Italy Vacation Rentals , why not try Always On Vacation for some great prices.