Council News
Report from the Green Heart of Italy
On April 22, 2026, a dozen travelers from six states embarked on a World Affairs Council of Philadelphia tour to Umbria, the Green Heart of Italy. Catherine Kannenberg, board member and communications manager, accompanied the group as tour host and representative of WAC-Philadelphia.
Our 7-day journey through Umbria was an unforgettable immersion into one of Italy’s most beautiful and culturally rich regions. Based in Perugia, the charming “city of chocolate,” we spent each day exploring a landscape that seemed lifted from a Renaissance painting—rolling hills draped with vineyards, olive groves, and medieval hill towns perched dramatically above the countryside. From the magnificent Gothic cathedral of Orvieto to the spiritual mecca of Assisi, and across the border into Tuscany to visit the enchanting towns of Cortona and Montepulciano, we encountered layer upon layer of history. Roman engineering, Etruscan artifacts, and Gothic architecture came to life as we wandered through centuries-old streets, churches, piazzas, and archaeological treasures.
What made this experience truly exceptional was the expertise and passion of our local guides, whose knowledge transformed every site into a living story. Their insights into the region’s art, architecture, history, culture, and traditions deepened our appreciation of places we might otherwise have simply admired from afar. Among the many highlights was a cooking class at a winery, where we learned to make traditional local bread and pasta before gathering for an al fresco lunch in the vineyard. Sharing the meal we had prepared ourselves, accompanied by local wines and surrounded by the beauty of the Umbrian countryside, captured the warmth, hospitality, and enduring cultural heritage that made this tour so memorable.
