Already the sun shines on cheerful pots of geraniums gracing balconies and steps. The farmers are busy ploughing the fields and all around Umbria is getting ready to welcome in summer
Harvest time comes early in our part of the world with summer crops gathered by the end of June. Once the harvest is in the celebratory village Festas begin. The Festa begins with mass and a village blessing then the festivities begin. Long trestle tables are set up under marquees and the ladies of the village prepare yards of home made pici (a sort of thick spaghetti) to which a variety of delicious sauces are added. The village men all gather round the large Bar-b-ques to cook pork and steak to follow the pasta while the teenagers serve at table. Each Festa takes a different theme - Wild boar, Lamb & Onion, Lake fish and in these villages specialist dishes featuring these foods are also served. After dinner the band strikes up and all the villagers take to the dance floor in a wonderful exhibition of ballroom dancing. Visitors are made very welcome and it is an experience not to be missed.
In July and August Lago Trasimeno and the surrounding area resonates to Blues, Jazz and italopop music. Town squares, restaurants and bars play host to musical groups of all kinds - there is something very magical about sitting under the stars listening to music. All around us there are open air concerts, Operas, cinema and theatre and in nearby Tuoro an interactive re-enactment of Hannibal's battle with the Romans takes place. Music and food are inextricably linked in Umbria - pageants and historical re-enactments are all accompanied by traditional foods -simple fresh ingredients served with enthusiasm by mostly family run businesses. Olive oil, beans, pork products and of course plentiful salads and vegetables make for satisfying and healthy eating against the musical backdrop - there can be nothing more magical than eating delicious food whilst the moon shimmers over the Lake.
For those of you who prefer to have a catered holiday or to stay for a few days at different locations we are now offering the more flexible option of Bed & Breakfast Accommodation. We have two large bedrooms each with balconies overlooking our garden and the beautiful countryside. One room is fitted with a double bed, the other with twin beds and there is a large bathroom with bath & shower adjacent. An additional single bed is available, also a cot, high chair and baby bath. Guests are welcome to relax in our garden and there is an above ground splash pool (15ft round x 3ft high) to cool off in. There are lots of reasonably priced restaurants just ten minutes drive away and 3 course 'take aways' can be ordered from a local supermarket (with notice) bed & breakfast (continental) per person per night costs just 25 Euro, babies stay free and children under 10 half price
May madness - more than 10% reduction on all bookings
May is a wonderful time to visit. the weather is pleasantly warm -just right for sightseeing or relaxing. The area is peaceful -apart from the farmers busy in their fields -yet all the facilities of summer are open. Short Breaks & bed & Breakfast also available
Sunday 18th June - Feast of Corpus Domini In towns throughout Umbria streets are turned into magical carpets of flowers. Flower Petals are harvested and kept cool while elaborate drawings are chalked on to the street surfaces. In the morning willing volunteers spend hours lovingly creating the pictures using millions of petals . These 'pictures' are then sprayed with water to keep them intact. The ceremony starts with the blessing by the Bishop & Priests who then process along the flower strewn streets. Then the Public are free to wander and marvel at the wonderful designs- flowers, shields, animals, scenes from the Bible all are faithfully represented. Best know Infiorita displays nearby are Citta della Pieve, Orvietto & Spello - all within reasonable driving distance of our location.
