The cashmere district
Quality shopping: cashmere in Umbria.
What could be better than snuggling into the warmth of a cashmere sweater? What could be more elegant than a coat or a purse made with this precious wool? If you find it impossible to resist the call of fashion, then you must come to Umbria. Umbrian cashmere can be found in many outlets and retail stores. Some are established brands well known the world over, others are smaller artisanal workshops, but all with an eye to fashion, tradition and quality. Following in the footsteps of a few leading companies, others have also been able to build a successful network. From Castiglione del Lago to Solomeo, from Bastia Umbra to Terni, Perugia, Ripabianca and Torgiano, the widespread production of cashmere throughout the area has made it a major manufacturing hubs. English tourists have lovingly named the area around Lake Trasimeno "Cashmere Valley," and consider shopping here one of the main reasons to visit Umbria, alongside, of course, the artistic and natural beauty of the region. Why not follow their example and the advice of true experts? Purchase beautiful creations in the outlets of local producers and, in some cases, visit the workshops where they are made. If you want to add a special note to your shopping experience, we suggest a stop in one of the towns around Lake Trasimeno for a meal of local fish like carp, perch, eel or tench. If you are a lover of niche food products then you must try the Fagiolina del Trasimeno, a legume cultivated in fields around the lake using an ancient and laborious manual technique. It has a unique flavour and its texture is smooth and buttery.