The Umbria Jazz Festival is the biggest one of its kind in Italy and one of the best jazz festivals in the world. While the summer edition is held every year in Perugia in July, the (smaller) winter edition takes place every year in Orvieto, in December, around New Years Eve.
Umbria Jazz Winter lasts 5 days and has a very special feel to it. The town of Orvieto is still decorated for the holidays, streets are crowded with people, you can hear jazz music everywhere....
The air is crisp and it almost feels like you're in the mountains. But then, Orvieto is located on top of tuff stone cliffs, at an altitude of 325 m (1,066 ft), which makes you feel "on top of the world".
Artistic director Carlo Pagnotta always picks the best of the best when it comes to the festivals lineup. This years programme includes Chick Corea, Stefano Bollani, the Alfredo Rodriguez Trio, Harry Allen, Eric Alexander, Lew Soloff, Ray Anderson, Roberto Gatto, etc. etc.!
Orvieto is a small town, but besides a Renaissance well and a couple of interesting museums, it gives place to one of the most beautiful churches in Italy. The famous "Duomo" was built between 1290 and 1607 and is definitely worth paying a visit!
The same goes for all the local restaurants, trattorias and winebars! La Trattoria dell'Orso is one of my favourites.
Furthermore, you'll find loads of lovely shops, selling clothing, shoes, local handmade ceramics and delicacies like wine, truffels, cheese and sausages.
And if all that isn't enough.... Rome, Florence, Perugia and Assisi are within 2 hours drive. So you can do plenty of sightseeing!
For more information about the festival, Orvieto & this years programme, please visit:
