A Genuine Umbrian Cooking Experience...With Chef Michael Schwartz

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This is an exciting opportunity to participate into a week’s worth of culinary workshops, wine classes, tastings and full on immersion in all tasty things Umbrian.

We’ve all heard the term working vacation and maybe even "heaven on earth", well here are them both combined for your absolute indulgence in all things delicious. Perhaps this spring, you can grab a friend, cos why keep this one to yourself? Hop to Italy on a gastronomic treat for body and soul!

Miami's James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Schwartz will present just such a week in Umbria, cooking, teaching and feasting on the finest ingredients prepared the genuine way - fresh, simple and pure. Escorted market trips, yoga classes and poolside massages are just some of the treats in store.

Caimeli will be the refuge for your culinary, yoga, and relaxing vacation. It is a 40-acre former tobacco farm and now olive plantation, situated in the Umbrian Mountains amidst stellar blue skies and lush greenery. As you immerse yourself in the dolce vita, enjoy guided trips to the neighboring village markets, vineyards for tastings and a pottery school to make your very own plate, pot or whatever you fancy.

Your week’s itinerary will include daily homemade breakfasts and 2hr workshops on wine, cheeses as well as cooking classes of around 10-12 fellow guests from around the globe. Chef Schwartz will show you how to prepare food from the region and his best selling cookbook, Michaels Genuine Food "down to earth cooking, for people who love to eat" using Caimeli's locally produced olive oil and its own garden vegetables, with well sourced fish and regional meats.

Both, the main villa and the Casale have wonderful views of the olive groves and the unspoiled serene valley. This genuine experience takes place in Umbertide from April 15th to the 22nd of 2012 and requires advance booking and payment. You can request information on flights in and out of Rome or Florence and transportation to and from Caimeli is included.

To inquire about Genuine Umbria, including full itinerary, amenities offered in each package, or to secure your spot now, please contact Caimeli's USA representative Nikki Mallon at nikkimallon@mac.com , and for a quick preview on the full package click here www.theinternationalkitchen.com.

Epiphany in Umbria

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First of all Happy New Year to all readers of Travel Umbria! Hoping that 2012 will be a great year for all, let's start with an event in January, one that closes the Christmas period and celebrates one of the most famous "old ladies" in the world, the Befana.

I am talking about Epiphany, which in Umbria is a very important local tradition event. Epiphany is celebrated in all corners of the region, from small village to large cities; Here is offered a brief review of the events tied to Epiphany in Umbria in 2012.

Epiphany on Trasimeno Lake
Let's start with Lake Trasimeno that for Christmas 2011 hosted the event "Christmas Island" set in the picturesque scenery of the Polvese island. The event began on December 17 and closes its doors on January 6 with the Epiphany celebrations.
During Epiphany day the calendar of events ranges from Circobus to the concert of the Philharmonic Society of Mugnano, finishing in style with fireworks over the lake. During the day you can visit the Nativity scene of the area and taste the typical products of craft markets and receive gifts directly from the Befana!

Epiphany in Assisi
In Assisi, more precisely in Rivotorto of Assisi on January 6 all visitors are invited to turn their eyes to the sky. They will assist to the descent of the Epiphany. The nice old woman will be equipped with a paraglider, and after launching from Mount Subasio she will land in Rivotorto to bring gifts to children. The event is called "La Befana comes down from heaven".
The day will be scheduled following this program:
from 8 am to 8 pm - Exhibition of the Epiphany in the streets of the village with tasting of typical products
3 pm - descent of the Befana with gifts for all children;
5 pm - Catholic Mass

Epiphany in Valnerina
Celebrations of Epiphany in Valnerina binds to the so-called "Pasquarelle". The term indicates the typical Easter songs, that the tradition relates to the Annunciation to the peoples of the Child Jesus by the Wise Kings.
The night between January 5th and 6th, pasquarellanti (or pasquarellari depending on the area) begin their journey along the streets of town, knocking on house doors to announce the Epiphany through folk songs (the so-called Pasquarelle) newly composed every year in occasion of the event; pasquarellanti are then thanked by families with good wishes, greetings and gifts that consist of foods, sweets and sometimes money.

The tradition of Pasquarelle on January 6 is held at:
Norcia: one of the most exciting events in the area with the participation of children and adults;
Scheggino: Some young Scheggino goes through the streets of the village on a cart pulled by a donkey singing the "Pasquarelle" along various musical instruments;
Cerreto di Spoleto;
Vallo di Nera;
Preci.

In addition to the tradition of the Valnerina Pasquarelle Epiphany greets 2012 with the appointment "Befana comes from the River" held on January 6 at 5 pm at the Canoe Center of Arrone.
The event is organized with the participation of local paddlers of kayaks and canoes that will accompany the Befana along the River Nera up to Arrone. There she will distribute stockings filled with gifts for children.

Christmas Markets in Foligno

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This Christmas 2011 in Foligno the appointment with the Christmas Market in the city center will be renewed. So what are you waiting for? Come and visit this beautiful Umbrian city! You will find the Christmas markets of Foligno, and events related to the ongoing Christmas holidays in Foligno.

The Christmas markets have become a tradition in Foligno. The city is transformed during the Christmas period: small squares reveal unexpected lighting effects, Christmas music inundates the streets, Christmas choirs, the little market of dreams, music bands, and happy bands are the usual appointments of this time of the year.

The various events and happenings are aimed at livening up the historic center, focusing on its vitality, including shops and other commercial activities, while leaving behind other initiatives such as streets parties and celebrations for New Year's Eve.
Moreover, the attention that is reserved to children has been emphasized with many initiatives dedicated to them, and it must be said that the new featured activities are quite many.

The city of Foligno is located at the heart of the Umbrian Valley, a vast plain crossed by the river Topino, partly surrounded by rolling hills and partly by the highest mountains of the Apennines.
The town has always been a center of economic and cultural exchanges. Foligno is now a modern industrial city, but still retains a beautiful old town center full of monuments and works of art.
The heart of the city is represented by the Piazza della Repubblica, where buildings are of high artistic value.

Christmas Market in Massa Martana

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The traditional Christmas Market in Massa Martana is back. This is one of the most beautiful towns in Italy situated in the southern Umbria and nestled at the foot of the Monti Martani. The historic center of town will host the traditional wooden houses with exhibitors offering a wide variety of gifts and gift ideas, arts and crafts products including ceramic and olive wood, embroidery, crochet, decoupage, decorated, knitwear and handmade jewelry, works of local painters and sculptors and wooden toys.

Do not miss the Christmas decorations and typical Umbrian food and wine: wine, oil, cheese, cured meats, vegetables, honey, the delicious Nociata made with soft and sweet nougat and cleverly packaged in bay leaves.

The program of events for children and adults with initiatives for the entire duration of the event looks even richer this year. Children can not miss the home of Santa Claus with gifts, treats and surprises. Christmas-themed music, street tours with music bands and marching band shows, clowning, stilt walkers, jugglers and pipers. On Sunday there will be the grand finale concert with the Choir of the University of Perugia. All these things can make the magic of Christmas even more vivid with colors, lights, sounds and scents in one of the jewel cities of Umbria.

This is an opportunity to discover Massa Martana completely restored after the earthquake of 1997. The old town, enriched by architectural constructions of the Sixteenth and Eighteenth centuries, is located inside the castle walls. The front door is well preserved, decorated with carved stones and the emblem of the city. The Church of San Felice is noteworthy and it was dedicated to the patron saint of town. The Church of San Sebastian, with a valuable painting from 1595 depicting a "Madonna and Child", and the 16th century Town Hall are also notable. Just outside the center is the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie and the Church of Santa Maria della Pace, with the outside is completely covered with travertine.

Nearby Massa Martana there are many churches that represent a unique heritage including the Church of Santa Maria in Pantano, one of the oldest and most interesting religious buildings in Umbria and the Abbey of San Faustino, built on the ruins of a Roman villa.
The Roman presence is evidenced by the Fonnaia Bridge, built in 220 BC along the route of the Via Flaminia. Near the bridge are the Christian catacombs, alone in Umbria and including more than 300 niches.
To enjoy the environmental resources of the area you can walk the Martani hiking paths, which are equipped nature trails developing on the Monti Martani.

Christmas Markets of Perugia

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This is a mini series about Christmas markets in Umbria. This small region of Italy has four main spots where the magic of Christmas comes alive along the city streets. Here I will describe the markets in Perugia, the capital of Umbria. The forthcoming towns are Massa Martana, Spoleto and Foligno.
In northern European countries and in Italian regions that were influenced by the Nordic culture, the custom of the Christmas Markets is very heartfelt and popular. On days when there are these markets, all the artisans put their handicrafts on display: wooden statuettes, figures of the nativity scene, candles, ribbons and decorations of all kinds to decorate the home (such as wonderful balls to hang on your Christmas tree). There are also stalls selling typical culinary delicacies of the place. These Christmas markets usually begin during late November and last until Christmas Eve.

The Christmas markets of Perugia are an excellent occasion to buy original presents to bring back home. It's been a few years now that even in Perugia Christmas Markets started animating the entire Christmas holiday period. For tourists it will be an opportunity to dive into the colorful world of handmade creations, looking for gift ideas or just browse the various stalls immersed in the characteristic atmosphere of the festivities that Perugia can create.

During the month of December until Christmas, the Strenne Market will take place in Piazza del Circo in Perugia. Stalls offer Christmas decorations, toys, gifts, decorations. In addition you can buy local handicrafts such as leather bags and the "cocci" traditional ceramics produced on site. The market is open from 9 am to 9,30 pm from December 1 until the 24.
This Christmas market is divided into two areas, one dedicated to crafts and the other dedicated to gastronomy. In the stalls you can buy lots of products to make original gifts such as Christmas decorations, home decor, candy, toys and crafts.

The Largest Christmas Tree in The World

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Do you know where the largest Christmas tree in the world is? In Gubbio, a precious little town in Umbria.

This wonderful installation is lit up on December 7 every year, since December 1980, and is turned off during the night of January 10 of the following year.
With each passing year the popularity of the event has boomed and reached an increasing resonance, so much that the lighting up ceremony has been carried out with an ever growing presence of people and by celebrities of greater fame at every edition. The upcoming edition of the Christmas tree in Gubbio will be lit up by the Pope in Rome!

Benedict XVI will use a tablet PC in Vatican City that through an Internet connection will command the switch in Gubbio. The 2011 largest Christmas tree in the world will be lit up at 6,30pm and you will be able to follow the ceremony on RAI 1 (if you have satellite television) or see the images on the webcam of the official event's website.

But, wait a minute, who says this is the largest Christmas tree in the world? Well, in 1991 the World Guinness Record committee assigned the title to the installation, making official what the simple people of Gubbio had been saying for many years.

Some cool numbers:
1981 the first installation
1000 sqm is the shooting star's surface
200 lights trace the shooting star
260 lights trace the shape of the Christmas tree.
270 multicolor lights are set inside the tree
8,500 meters of electric cables
650 meters is the height of the tree
350 meters its base width
1350 the number of plugs
1,900 work hours to build the Christmas tree
35 Kilowatt necessary to light up the tree

If you decide to spend your Christmas in Umbria, make sure to include Gubbio in your itinerary. It is one of the most delicious towns in Italy, one that will make you fall in love with the region. Plus, it will give you the chance of a unique event and a spectacle of rare beauty to keep in your heart.
Come to see the largest Christmas tree in the world.

So long for now! To the next time I find something interesting to share about Umbria.

Umbria Villas with Pool

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At this time of the year, when you speak about holidays, most people think about spending quality time with their family during Christmas or staying a week or two in their favorite ski resort. Summer still seems very far away and preparing the next summer holiday doesn’t seem to have a high priority.

Do not make the mistake to wait until 2012 if you are planning to spend your next summer holiday in Umbria. High season in Umbria runs from June to September, the hottest months of the year, and finding accommodation during those months can be a difficult challenge if you are waiting for too long.

This is especially true if you decide to rent a villa instead of going to a crowded hotel.

Renting a villa in tuscany will require a little bit more planning as some of the most exclusive places are already booked a year in advance. But the effort is worth your time as you will enjoy multiple advantages.

You will get more space for yourself and your family. Depending on your needs, you can find small villas of 1 or 2 bedrooms or go for a luxury villa that can welcome up to 58 guests!
You will live an incredible local experience. Renting a villa is the best way to mingle with local people and share their life. You will be able to discover their habits, to hear insiders tips and get the chance to live the real Umbrian life.
You will get privacy. You will be able to use your own amenities, no sharing, no queuing!
You will be totally independent. You will not have to schedule your day taking into consideration breakfast or lunch hours and you will not have to renounce at your favorite food because it is not on the menu!

Umbria has an incredible offer of villas available for rent and you will with no doubt find the villa that fits your needs. You could for instance decide to rent a 17th century home in Perugia, a typical Umbrian farmhouse in Todi, a beautiful family house in Assisi, a secluded villa in the Umbria mountain or a restored medieval house in Spello.

A Umbria villa with pool is definitely the best choice for you if you want to relax and have your family around you.

So, do not waste time and plan your Umbria summer holiday now and make sure your family gets an once in a lifetime experience!