Poggio dei Papi in Città della Pieve

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I recently stayed at Poggio dei Papi near Città della Pieve, in Umbria. I ended up there by chance actually. I was supposed to arrive to Milan, but our bus broke down near Perugia and therefore we decided that we'd be better off spending the night in the area.
This is a very modern accommodation, a b&b in Umbria with rooms that have all the privacy you may want. Even if we stayed here just one night, we could appreciate all the services that it offers. It isn't very fancy, but that's just what you would look for in a rustic accommodation, isn't it? It is sad that we arrived in the late afternoon, as we could not enjoy a full day at this bed and breakfast Umbria, but we could still see how beautiful the outdoors are, with an Olympic swimming pool located in the intensely green lawn.

The position of this B&B Umbria is really enviable. The private garden of the property is filled with lush plants and blossoming flowers, a true blessing if you need to relax in the countryside. The rooms are all with climate control and air conditioning, furnished with sober taste but very comfortable furniture, and large king-size beds. There is plenty to do for people loving sports such as fitness centers, football field, tennis courts, and a wellness center with sauna.

The total number of rooms of this bed-and-breakfast in Umbria is 31 also including eight suites. The breakfast in the morning was actually really good and satisfying. Prices are not very cheap but a holiday at Poggio dei Papi bed and breakfast in Umbria is certainly one I want to experience in my lifetime, and I will be back.

Restaurant Paprika in Castiglione del Lago

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View Restaurant Paprika Umbria in a larger map
Yesterday I was at restaurant Paprika in Castiglione del Lago in Umbria. The restaurant is very nice, adorned with some kind of intriguing modern and rustic style. The food is also very nice with fresh fish and cruditès.

It is located right in front of the ducal Palace of the Corgna. It is a very warm and welcoming place where the owner greets you with a nice smile on his face. He has been managing this place for many many years now and knows how to welcome guests from any part of the world. He has hired some of the best chefs it seems, as the food was really really delicious. We enjoyed a trout with fresh tomatoes and trouts, which went really well with the Sagrantino white wine.

Talking to the owner let us discover that his cooks are very experienced and try new dishes every day experimenting within the boundaries of the Umbrian and Tuscan tradition. The terrace of the restaurant is very nice and filled with flowers. Tables are under the shade of large sun umbrellas and a gentle breeze comes to remove the summer heat and create a very pleasant ambient.
The view of the terrace is over the Palace of the Corgna and the squares of Castiglion del Lago. The fresco on the wall pictures the lake Trasimeno, which cannot be seen directly from the terrace, but can be tasted on the table. This is the perfect place if you're looking for a small corner of peaceful and truthful Umbrian environment to eat.

Restaurant Paprika is actually not that big. It has a maximum of 40 seats inside and 25 on the terrace, so you might be better off booking before going there. You can book at phone number +39 075953545 or at the cell phone of the owner at +39 339 1982283 or even e-mail at ristpaprika@alice.it.

The restaurant is closed on Tuesdays, and prices are around 22 Euros per person without beverages but you could also enjoy a tourist menu for 13 Euros per person without beverages. You can find the restaurant in Via di Vittorio in Castiglione del Lago, Umbria.

Pictures of Umbria

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Talking about the beauties of Umbria is always a pleasure, but why do it if pictures can say so much more? Here are a few that I am sure you will love, just to give you an idea of the beauties you can find in Umbria. Enjoy!

Umbria Recipe: Cicerchiata

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Ingredients for 6 people
420 grams of pastry flour, 3 eggs, half a glass of dry white wine, 3 table spoons of sugar, 500 grams of honey, 120 grams of almonds, 120 grams of mixed candy fruit, extra virgin olive oil and frying oil.

Preparation
Mix 400 grams of flour with the eggs on your kneading surface, the wine, half a glass of extra virgin olive oil, and 2 spoonfuls of sugar until you get a consistent but soft dough. Let the dough rest for 30 minutes with a kitchen cloth on.
Now divide the dough into pieces and create small cylinders as large as your little finger, then cut them to obtain small dumplings. Round the dumplings with your hands until you get small balls of dough (these are called the cicerchie). Set the frying oil in a skillet. Pour in a large amount to allow the dough balls to float freely. When the oil is very hot, pour in the dough balls and fry them. They will be ready when lightly brown. After each batch is ready, set it on paper towels to absorb the excess oil.
Now pour the honey in a pan with the remaining sugar, and start heating it up over low heat until the mix is liquid. Now add the fried dough balls, the sliced up almonds and the diced candy fruit. Mix everything and set it in an oiled pudding mold. Let it cool at room temperature, then gently remove it from the mold on the serving plate.

This delicious pastry owes its sweetness to scented honey more than to sugar, therefore you will need to pair it with a decisive but sweet wine. A good choice would be the Vin Santo Colli del Trasimeno.

Castiglione del Lago

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The town rises on a calcareous elevation that in prehistoric times was the fourth island of Trasimeno lake. Many findings testify that the center was once populated by Etruscans and Romans.
The currently inhabited portion of town preserves the medieval wall ring and the ancient castle. This is connected to the 16th century Commune palace through a passage illuminated through loopholes. The commune palace was built upon the ruins of another building belonging to Ascanio della Corgna, one of the commanders of the Lepanto battle in 1571.
You will find frescoes from the second half of the 16th century in the high rooms of the palace. The authors of the frescoes are Salvio Savini and Giovanni Pandolfi, who followed the Renaissance roman style.
The Maddalena church, a Greek cross plan building, you will find delightful stuccoes by Piervittori.

Castiglione del Lago is famous for the "Let's Color the Sky" event that takes place here every two years. It is a gathering of hot hair balloon and kite enthusiasts.

Also to see is the Rock of Leone, which was completed in 1247. It has a pentagonal shape and four corner towers with a central keep. This is one of the best examples of military Umbrian middle age buildings. Its location is on a calcareous rock from where one dominates the entire view of the Trasimeno lake.

The Corgna palace is another must-see. It was planned to insert rest on the so-called houses of Baglioni and on part of the preexisting wall ring. The palace and the rock are nearby and connected through the above mentioned passage, which is really suggestive and should be experienced. The whole arrangement has a typical medieval aspect.
Inside you will find an important and large painting work of art by Pomarancio, which was the art name of Circignani. The paintings were completed in 1574 and can be found in the Room titled "Gest di Ascanio della Corgna".

Umbria Apartment Residenza Il Girasole

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Find your Umbria apartment at Residenza il Girasole. Just few kilometres from Perugia you will find this country house that is just what you need for an unwinding Italian holiday. Here is where the appealing fascination of this Agriturismo embraces visitors thanks to half a dozen accommodation apartments that during the recent renovation preserved all their original Umbrian soul.

The estate is almost five hectares large, and all Umbria apartment rentals are located on one part of this land, where you will also find vineyards of famous San Giovese, Grechetto and Trebbiano vintages. Not to mention the olive groves that wrap up this accommodation in Umbria to create a place of unusual beauty, perfect for nature enthusiasts.

Bettona is the town of these Tuscany apartment rentals. It is an ancient farm home that was first built two centuries ago. The painstaking and long-lasting renovation by the current owners brought the place to be reborn under new splendor in a sea of tranquility, peaceful daily routine and most importantly the countryside of Umbria. During the renovation the farmhouse was divided into five Umbria apartments for self catering holidays. Nothing was left to chance, all details taken care of, so you will feel at home from the very first moment in the Umbrian countryside.
Indoors and outdoor details have been recuperated to maintain the original feel and appeal of the place, and the attentive person will surely recognize the care that was set into the process. The sandstone walls of the outdoors echo the cotto tiles ceilings that cover each indoor ambient. Think of this: each single tile was stamped when still uncooked by the master manufacturer, as to sign their work as a masterpiece. This is a tradition of the area that roots in the ancient past of Umbria, and that you will discover with so many others if you decide to spend your Italian holidays in one of these splendid Umbria apartment rentals.

If you love nature this is the place for you, as those coming to Il Girasole are nature lovers that want to unwind in the calm of the natural setting, alternating their lazy days by the pool to calm strolls among ancient walled cities while tasting a delicious gelato in one hand. You can have all this in Umbria. Come and get it!

Colored Skies of Umbria

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The 2011 edition of "Coloriamo i Cieli", meaning let's color the skies, will be starting in Castiglion del Lago in Umbria on April 28 and will continue until May 1st. It is a very lively event that includes all sorts of things related to flying, and even some more.

The spirit of the event is the kite. This simple game for children, yet a powerful symbol of freedom, is the inspiration of the festival. Kites and hot-air balloons from all over the world are invited. In a great field near Castiglion del Lago, on the Trasimeno lake, you will assist to spectacular and colorful events that will make you feel as light as a...kite (pun unintended, it came as I was writing it)!

Besides the main flying events, there will be exhibits on kites and their history, gastronomic stands, guided visits of antique palaces in town, and special kids corners. Everyday from 10 am until 7 pm there will be activities dedicated to children teaching them about the environment, how to build a kite, and organizing outdoor games.

Trekking and biking will also be organized for participants of all ages. Each days there will be various routes to travel on mountain bikes. The trails are all in nature on the territories around the lake. Birdwatching and guided nature walks are also in program. Contact the event organizers at +39 338 7909958 for more info and to subscribe to specific activities.

The location of the event is the Eleuteri airport, also known as the Trasimeno Lake park. Get more info reading the program here.