These tours underscore my overall objective:
to acquaint visitors with Umbria's "hidden secrets" while
offering direct contact with the people, ie, full immersion in local
life. Each of these Umbrian hilltown tours centers around a beloved
local festival - and what a way to truly enter into local life and
living folklore!
FESTAtours Each FESTAtour includes:
*guided tour of that town, incorporating information and lore about
the festa,
*a special festa lunch in local restaurant (sometimes even
in a private home!),
*attending the festa (...and possible other additions).
Advanced booking is required - places strictly limited, some
tours to 12 persons, others to 14-16 persons. If group surpasses
10 persons, van transportation from Assisi area will be included.
Minimum number: 6.
FESTAtours
2008 Calendar
Bonfire and Vigil of the Feast
of the Immaculate Conception (Assisi) - December 7, 2007
See Insights article.
The Feast of St. Anthony Abbot (Assisi)
- January 17, 2008
See Insights
article.
Festa di San Costanzo (Feast of St.
Costanzo - Perugia) - January 29, 2008
See Insights
article.
Good Friday in Assisi - March 21, 2008
Easter is a very special time here in Umbria and the Processione del Cristo Morto on Good Friday night is a stupendous event both in Assisi and Gubbio. On Good Friday, I will offer a special tour (including insight into pagan/Christian Easter traditions in Umbria) here in Assisi which concludes with the hauntingly beautiful Processione del Cristo Morto at night through the torchlit medieval backstreets. Our tour will start at 10 a.m. and will include: • guided walk through all the artistic wonders of Assisi, including the astounding Basilica di San Francesco, housing the most magnificent - and most extensive fresco cycle in the entire world - of late Gothic and early Renaissance frescoes (late 13th century and early 14th century). I will also talk on site about one of the most challenging art restoration projects ever undertaken: the re-piecing of the vault frescoes following the 1997 earthquake - as we stand directly under the restored frescoes. (This could be the most emotional moment of your stay in Italy!)
• encounters with artisans and other "locals" and stops to see "hidden wonders" as we stroll Assisi
• a "banquet" lunch of Umbrian delicacies enhanced by tastings of top Italian wines and prize-winning olive oils in nearby Spello, another medieval hilltown jewel ( - and if my favorite elderly Neapolitan guitarist is in form, our banquet will be enhanced with his wonderful music)
• a Spello walk, including Roman and Renaissance wonders, and a meeting with an extraordinary friar/artisan
•
return to Assisi in the late afternoon for a pause - until the early evening Procession, a hauntingly beautiful and most unforgetttable experience.
Note: Processions and special events of age-old traditions take place in many small Umbrian towns on Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, as well. (See comments below.)
La Liberazione in Gubbio - April 25, 2008...New! We will join the "locals" for this national holiday, celebrating the "Liberazione", that is the entrance of the Partisans into Milano, April 25, 1945. In Gubbio on this day, the 4-day "Mostra dei Prodotti Tipici" concludes. This street fair features numeous stands (circling one of the main piazzas) which offer countless "prodotti tipici" or gastronomical specialties unique to the region of Umbria. We'll tour the open market before touring Gubbio, medieval gem "where time stopped in the Middle Ages". Gubbio
is less than an hour by car from Assisi and our route will take
us "off the beaten track" and through a stretch of the most stunning
landscapes of Umbria... so that we can stop enroute to explore an
abandoned 12th c. feudal castle ...
Dramatically perched on a hill overlooking the ruins of its Roman
theater, here in Gubbio time seems to have quite literally stopped
in the Middle Ages. Gubbio's "detachment" from today's world is
also a reality: the town is not on a railway line - here, one feels
in a world apart. Our walk through the labyrinthine medieval backstreets
will take us to the imposing 14th c. Palazzo dei Consoli, said to
rival Palazzo Vecchio in Florence in its beauty (I think it surpasses
it). Along the way, a stop to taste
local delicacies - wild boar salami, pecorino (sheep's milk)
and truffle cheeses, local liqueurs, truffle paté - and then
a stop to observe two fine young artisans at work. Acclaimed as
two of the most-gifted ceramicists in Italy, their gold-incised
black bucchero (Etruscan technique) astounds. Lunch? Only
problem: too many choices! (I would be happy to suggest my favorite
spot...) After lunch, a ride up the funicular to the top of Mt.
Ingino and the monastery where St. Ubaldo, patron saint of Gubbio,
is buried. We'll head home via another road ...more Umbrian landscapes
to delight the eye!
Calendimaggio in Assisi
- May 10, 2008 Every
year, on the first Thursday, Friday and Saturday in May, Assisi celebrates
the re-birth of spring with a bellissima medieval festa,
Calendimaggio, in which the whole town participates in a
magnificent re-evocation of medieval life (See article).
Culimination of the festivities takes place on the last day of the
festival. Our "Calendimaggio tour" includes a morning
tour of Assisi (see description of this tour on TOURS
page), buonissimo lunch of typical Umbrian specialties...
and then... the astounding gran finale of Calendimaggio
in the main square. We'll be exulting with the locals! (See comments
below.)
Corsa dei Ceri in Gubbio
- May 15, 2008
Words cannot describe the frenzied excitement that breaks out in Gubbio as the Ceri ( three colossal wooden structures - each one surmounted by the statue of a saint) are raced straight up the mountain by teams of ceraioli. See the race, feel the frenzy of the Eugubines, and you'll know why they're called i matti dell'Italia ("madmen of Italy")! Do check out the excellent article National Geographic (January 2005) on this wondrous pagan/Christian festival.
To better understand the enthusiasm I have for this festival - and you will have after you join me in Gubbio! - please see comments below.
(Also, see fantastic article
in January 2005 National Geographic article www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine) This special tour includes:
* guided visit of Gubbio upon arrival (and continued after lunch) with pause at 11:30 am - to be in the right place at the right time! - for the start of the incredible race. (Throughout our day, interaction with "the locals" will offer a firsthand experience of their passione for this festival)
* buonissima Umbrian festa lunch of typical local specialties
* afternoon continuation of our Gubbio tour, in the midst of the festivities which continue til nightfall
* ample insights into the pagan/Christian origins of this extraordinary folkloristic event
* transportation to and from Gubbio - from Assisi - with private van (for minimum of 10. This tour closes out at 14 maximum).
I am counting the days until May 15th. Truly. The Corsa dei Ceri is one of my favorite festivals - not just in Umbria - but in all of Italy. I never miss it!
(For more information on this event go to www.festadeiceri.it
and see"album".)
Medieval Crossbow Contest (Palio
della Balestra) in Gubbio - end of May, 2008
This ancient tradition has been conserved in medieval Gubbio since
the 12th c. and Gubbio's balestrieri are national champions. Our "Balestra tour" will include:
* guided visit through the picturesque medieval backstreets of Gubbio,
with stops to visit 2 young artisans, acclaimed for their skill
in the creation of maiolica and bucchero (black Etruscan
pottery) masterpieces and at a local gourmet shop to savor Umbrian
delicacies,
* the palio (contest) which is heralded with the blast of
trumpets and banner-waving in front of the magnificent medieval
civic palace of Gubbio, as the famed Gubbio crossbowers prepare
to compete... all participants in medieval dress,
* wine-tasting of Umbria's finest wines,
* lunch of typical Gubbio specialties at a local trattoria.
(See their website: www.balestrieri.com)
Infiorate in Spello - May 25, 2008 (June 14 in 2009) What is this festival about?
Every year on the Feast of Corpus Domini, the Spellani welcome the
morning religious procession with intricate flower-petal carpets
(infiorate) covering every winding backstreet and piazza,
the culmination of weeks of work (and all-night work the night before)
by everyone in the town - from children to elderly. A festival which
we never miss - astounding new masterpieces every year: once, the
"Creation of Man" (Michelangelo, Sistine Chapel)... another
time, a copy of an Escher engraving... one year, the famous Renaissance
fresco of the "Annunciation" by Pinturicchio (which is
in a church of Spello)... recreated in flowers! Please see NYTimes article by Gail Sheehy. What
will we do on the FESTAtour?
This FESTAtour is most definitely for "morning people",
as our tour starts at 7:00 a.m.!... with breakfast in a private
home... while I explain to you the origins of the festival. Afterwards,
we'll observe the now-sleepy "locals" finishing up their floral masterpieces
in the backstreets and piazzas of the town, stopping to talk with
them about their part in the festival, the significances of their
artwork. Our route will allow us to see most of the floral wonders
before the procession departs from one of the churches, winding
its way over the carpets.
At that time, the yellow-cloaked Confraternity members leading the
procession will walk in two rows around the "carpets",
whereas the bishop - under an elegant canopy and carrying the Host
- will walk across the flowered welcome.
This most special FESTAtour will also include a guided visit
of Spello - with special visit to a friar/artisan who will show
us his artistic contribution to the fest - as well as stops to see
12th c. Romanesque churches housing Renaissance fresco masterpieces.
We will enjoy a most special FESTA lunch in one of Italy's top wine cellars (ranked among the top 18 in the country). Our sommelier will guide us through a "tastings-as-lunch" of top wines and superb olive oils (the best in the world are from the Spello area) enhanced with a delicious (and abundant!) variety of gourmet Umbrian specialties - which turn our tastings into a true "banquet" (please do not plan on dinner that night....). My friend, Salvatore, elderly Neapolitan musician, will entertain us with song as he plays his guitar. Un'esperienza...!
(See comments below.)
Floral Dinner in Spello - the first week
in June, 2008(Contact
me for specifics) Join
us for the annual cena floreale ("floral
dinner") in Spello - a propitious preparation for the flower
petal celebration, Le Infiorate (see FESTAtour below). This event is strictly
for the locals: last June, nearly 100 Spellani, and five of us (the
only warmly-welcomed "outsiders"! The menu included five
different types of "floral" antipastos, e.g., goat cheese
pralines rolled in cornflower and bachelor button petals, followed
by two first courses (my favorite was the rose risotto with woodland
berries and wild strawberries), then two main courses (imagine thinly-sliced
veal drizzled with rose vinegar and covered with arugula and Scotch
broom flowers!). Desserts? Various floral delights! Dinner this past year was in a stone-vaulted
medieval cellar. All staff was volunteer: three cooks (2 men and
a woman - a railway employee, retired school teacher, a city employee,
all sporting floral chef hats) with young people serving at beautifully-appointed
tables. Linen tablecloths and a sunflower on every plate. Next May's
Floral Dinner FESTAtour will take in this most special event,
offering a delightful TASTE of colorful local life. Before our dinner,
our a tour of Spello (che bello!) will encompass its Roman
and medieval monuments, visits with a local friar/artisan and an
artist, as well as a superb wine-tasting. (See comments
below.)
Mercato delle Gaite in Bevagna
- June 21, 2008
Join us at the medieval festival in Bevagna - in medieval dress!
(places strictly limited)
At the end of June, the townspeople of Bevagna revive ancient trades
and re-evoke medieval life in this bellissima festival fair.
The Gaite were the 4 medieval districts of Bevagna and this festival
- like many others in Italy - centers around rivalries among the
different factions of the medieval city-state. For the first time, my "Gaite tour" will
conclude with participation in medieval dress at the medieval banquet!
(thanks to the help of a friend from Bevagna - just us and the locals). Our memorable day will also include:
* a special guided tour of Bevagna, (centered on its Roman and medieval
art, architecture and folkore), taking in all aspects of the festival
and meeting with the local participants (all in medieval dress)
who will tell us about their ancient crafts and trades;
* buonissimo Umbrian lunch in family-run trattoria and in
keeping with the spirit of the Gaite, some of the dishes will derive
from medieval traditions;
*medieval banquet (all the dishes served are traditional medieval
fare!) in medieval dress.
Two-day Festatour: Gubbio and
La Verna (October 3) and Assisi (October 4, Feast of St. Francis)
Join us as we celebrate the San Francesco following in his footsteps
in a 2-day FESTAtour which delightfully combines the "sacred
and profane"...! The 2003 inaugural Oct 3-4 FESTAtour
was a hit (comments from participants soon to be on site). Why not
join us?...! (See comments below.)
October 3rd
On October 3rd, we will follow a spectacular scenic road to Gubbio,
stopping to observe a 13th c feudal castle in ruins in the Assisi
countryside and a dovecote tower, learning how both structures represent
the origins of rural architecture. Our walk through Gubbio starts
at the San Francesco church, built over the home of family friends
of San Francesco - and one of the first Franciscan churches in Italy.
Time seems to have stopped in medieval Gubbio. Not connected by
the railroad lines, Gubbio remains a world apart.
We will visit the majestic Palazzo dei Consoli, superb example of
medieval civic architecture, now a museum housing the Eugubine Tablets
(in a way, the "Rosetta Stone" of the ancient Umbrian language)
as well as one of my favorite Pietās. We will stop in to see friends
of mine, acclaimed artisans of the revived technique of black bucchero
pottery (first made by the Etruscans in the 6th-4th c BC). We will
enjoy a most special FESTAlunch in one of Umbria's most acclaimed
restaurants.
After lunch, a one-hour ride through another stretch of breath-taking
scenery brings us to La Verna, mountainous wooded area between the
Tiber and Arno River valleys, famed for its natural and artistic
treasures and above all for its ties to San Francesco: here in September,
1224 St. Francis received the Stigmata. A visit here is a profoundly
spiritual experience, no matter what one's religious (or non-religious)
background! The natural beauty blends harmoniously with La Verna's
artistic treasures: the five-cloistered Franciscan monastery, the
Museo del Santuario, the small church of S. Maria degli Angeli (built
by San Francesco with the assistance of the Tuscan count who gave
him this mountainous retreat), St. Francis' cell, the Chapel of
the Stigmata, the numerous Della Robbia altarpieces.
After our visit, re-entry to Assisi. Lodgings: of your choice -
or happy to arrange in-town lodgings, countryside lodgings. If desired,
possible to also arrange lodgings in a private home (with famiy
friends - places limited).
October 4th
Feast of St. Francis in Assisi - St. Francis is the Patron saint
of Italy and most beloved of all saints for the Italians and his
feast is celebrated with enthusiasm by people from all over Italy. Our October 4th FESTAtour will include:
* participation in the procession directed to the Tomb of St. Francis
in the Basilica di S. Francesco,
* guided visit of Assisi with particular attention to sites associated
with St. Francis
* special festa lunch with Assisi family in their historic home
* a visit with the elderly priest who - as a young curate - assisted
the bishop in hiding the Jews here in Assisi in WW II (a visit appropriate
to this feast day as many of the Jewish refugees who came to Assisi
were convinced that Francesco would take care of them. In fact,
all were saved.)
You may join the full 2-day FESTAtour or simply book either one
of the above one-day tours. Places for each tour strictly limited
to 12. Van transportation for October 3rd tour will be arrranged
for a minimum of 8 persons.
"Umbria's Diamonds" Truffle and Olive Oil Tour - November
25, 2008 This new afternoon/evening tour will entice those
whose palates wish to savor art and history as well as Umbria's
two gastronomical "diamonds": olive oil and truffles.
Our tour starts in enchanting Spello, "città dell'olio",
participating with the "locals" as they launch into their
harvest-concluding celebration of the new olive oil.
We will tour the medieval and Roman wonders of Spello, concluding
with a tasting of prize-winning olive oils, top wines, black and
white truffle patés and other Umbrian specialties in a medieval
wine cellar.
Afterwards, we will head up to a small mountain town near Foligno
for their 25th annual truffle "festa" - where we
will enjoy a dinner featuring (in every dish!)... truffles!
Price? 165 € per person, including guided tour and all tastings,
truffle dinner. Number of participants: minimum of 6, maximum of
14. Tour is self-drive, though van transportation provided if minimum
of 10 persons.
These special new tours (please see "sagra"
article) are centered around a sagra: a country festival
(which lasts from about 7-10 days) where the villagers cook and
the young of the town serve at table: all volunteers! A visit to
a sagra is your opportunity to join in the local life and festivities
of an Umbrian village. You will enjoy some of the best food in Umbria...
and you may also be the only foreigners present!
Each SAGRAtour includes: *A guided tour (at about 4:00 pm) of a hilltown gem (Spello,
Bevanga, Montefalco, Assisi, Spoleto or Perugia).
* Afterwards, we will head to the countryside for the best local
sagra in the area, sharing a wonderful dinner of local specialties
and camaraderie with the villagers as we learn about their lifestyles,
the origins of their sagra and what the event means to them.
* Entertainment usually follows the dinner, including ballroom dancing
on an outdoor dance floor set up for the sagra.
SAGRAtours 2008 Calendar Note:
Other SAGRAtours now being set up - feel free to pick your
date and hilltown destination of choice - and I will combine your
selection with a local sagra in the same area if at all possible
for date you choose. Assisi - September 25
Truffle Sagra in Spello/Valtopina -
end of November
Every year in the tiny mountain village of Valtopina, the Sagra
del Tartufo (truffle festival) celebrates the truffle, "black gold"
of Umbria. After an afternoon tour in nearby Spello, we'll head
to Valtopina to join the locals, moving from booth to booth (in
a huge tent set up on the sports field), tasting truffled delights,
mushrooms, superb olive oils and wines, legumes, breads, honeys,
cheeses and typical meat products of Umbria. Afterwards, a dinner
prepared by the locals, in which every course is enhanced by truffles.
Bevagna - May and September
We will tour the Roman and medieval treasures of Bevagna (see description
of Bevagna tour on TOURS page)
from 4-7:00 pm and then will head for a nearby village to join the
locals at their sagra: wonderful dinner and camaraderie with the
villagers as we learn about the lifestyles of the villagers, the
origins of their sagra and what the event means to them.
Price (including guided hilltown tour, any entrance fees during
our tour, "added extras" during tour; dinner at the sagra
- 75 euro per person; tour limited to 12 persons; bus transportation
provided if min. of 10 reached; tours run with minimum of 6 persons).
Perugia - September 25, 2008
Afternoon tour in Perugia which concludes with dinner at a local
SAGRA.
Spello - June 2008
From 4-7 pm, we will tour Spello, taking in Roman ruins, a magnificent
Renaissance fresco, visit to a friar artisan and a medieval wine
cellar for a super tasting experience (of olive oils, wines, superb
truffle patès, pecorino cheeses, etc). Then... on to a delightful
local sagra for a buonissimo dinner and camaraderie with
the locals.
"Annie
Robichaud is our ideal guide. Not only does she know all the important
details of Umbria's historical and artistic treasures and its most
up-to-date events, but she knows the land (the right backroad for
the most beautiful scenery) and, most importantly, she knows the
people (a stop in Gubbio to ask after someone's grandmother, a visit
to her brother-in-law's
wonderful book-binding studio, LUNCH WITH AN ASSISI FAMILY IN THEIR
HISTORIC HOME and hello's all along the street in Assisi). We
loved every minute with her on our two-day St. Francis FESTAtour." Jane Ellis and Jack Litewka, Seattle, WA "I wanted
to thank you again for a spectacular experience in Assisi on Good
Friday 2003. You were our last stop in our 8-day central Italy tour.
We had such a great time but wished we had found your services first.
You were such a wealth of knowledge and just a delight to be with.
We have told all our friends about you and we feel like you are
our little Gem in Italia. I for one plan on visiting again and when
I do, I want you to plan everything for me, that is if you are up
to the task.
Thanks again for the off the beaten path, cultural experience
on Good Friday. Fr Don Aldo warmed my heart and we are still
talking about the Festa Lunch! Va Bene! I have taken the
beautiful gift from you of the journal book that your brother-in-law
sewed and made it my European Diary." Kristin Meek, Columbus, OH (Spring 2003)
"Being
in Assisi with Anne provided us with such an in-depth experience
of both the history and the contemporary culture of this lively
city. Experiencing Good Friday in Assisi was especially powerful.
The medieval processional through the town at dusk was magical
and Anne's insights and wealth of knowledge added extra meaning
and a deep feeling to the experience." Beth Wortzel, Madison, WI
"My husband and
I enjoyed a wonderful day with Annie and a few others on the Good
Friday FESTAtour in Assisi this year. One of the highlights
was the lunch in the lovely walled garden of a family home in the
medieval backstreets of Assisi. It was absolutely wonderful - the
company, the food, the atmosphere. We also visited the workshop
of a bookbinder, met the priest who helped hide the Jews in WWII.
We met the people wherever we went. The other highlight of this
Good Friday tour was the reason for the tour itself: the procession
on Good Friday night through the streets of Assisi.
We've been on 2 tours with Annie and a cooking class. This time,
she even helped us choose our lodgings: a charming apartment in
Spello. We are never disappointed, and we can hardly wait until
our next visit. One of her new Sagratours will be our
next venture!" Cathy Baeshore, Tucson, AZ
Calendimaggio - Assisi
"Calendimaggio
is an event not to be missed. A festival that has been held
for centuries, in a manner unchanged since medieval times, Calendimaggio
is a celebration of the special relationships within Assisi as the
townspeople welcome the coming of Spring, while allowing us, the
outsiders, to observe their magic and wish that we lived in Assisi
so that we could also participate. I highly recommend attending
the Calendimaggio Festival with Anne as your guide. It is truly
an experience of a lifetime." Terry Schwartz, Sonoita, AZ (5/2005) "Assisi’s Calendimaggio is no 'put on for tourists' event, but it’s such a colorful and unusual event that it’s worth seeking out. Assisians revel in the competition and celebration, cheering for their 'parte' as if it were the home soccer team. Being 'on the spot' Anne arranged tickets in advance and, in the stands, soon had us waving and yelling for her 'parte.' Her knowledgeable interpretation of some of the dramatic scenes was an unexpected bonus." Joyce Statton, Vancouver, Canada (5/2007)
"The local insight
and the artisans, shopkeepers that we met along with the personal
insights made this a day to remember. Anne helped us to understand
the history, tradition and local importance of this event. Calendimaggio
is spectacular, but Anne's local color made it even more so."
Peter Roth, Los Altos, CA
"The highlight of our
17-day Italy trip was the Calendimaggio Festival with Anne. I would
highly recommend Assisi and Calendimaggio but do not do it without
Anne. Our day was fabulous. We had a full guided tour of Assisi
and attended the spectacular Calendimaggio afternoon events. Our
day included these extras: while touring we met with a number of
local shop owners and artisans, even got to see a local bookbinder
at work and had lunch in the beautiful garden of a private villa
overlooking the whole town. The garden and home were filled with
antiquities and the owner is a musician who serenaded us on the
piano after lunch - and after a tour of their home! The delicious
lunch was done the Italian way - anitpasto, primi, secondi, contorni,
and dolce. For all it included - best seats at the Calendimaggio
closing event, tour with 'extras', lunch in a private home - the
price of the tour was incredibly reasonable. I only wish we'd been
able to spend more time in Umbria and with Anne!" Jay Jennings, Richmond, VA
Corsa dei Ceri - Gubbio
"Anne, did you know that Gubbio Ceri festival is listed on the cover of 1,000 things to see before you die? It was one of my favorite experiences ever! Thanks so much for helping us to really see it as only you could!" Linda Thompson, Seattle, WA (7/2006)
"If at all possible, do not miss this event - especially with Anne!. I am fifty three years old and have traveled to Italy in many modes beginning right after high school and again after college with a backpack and no money. I have taken high end tours as an adult. However, a few years ago I spent three weeks traveling with two women friends by car. We experienced the Corsa dei Ceri with Anne. It was by far the highlight of our trip—and the highlight of any of my previous visits to Italy. You get to see a slice of Italy that few get to see." Sherry Stilin, Redmond, WA (7/2006)
"Thanks to an “Annie tip”, on the Eve of the Corsa dei Ceri, we joined all the revelers in the streets amidst the banners, the torches, candles, drum rolls, laughter and conversation; ate baccala and drank free flowing wine; and amazed at the sight of 4 men riding the bell in the Campanile - all of this and the actual festa is not until tomorrow!
(The day of the festa.) What a mad, mad, wonderful day we had with Annie and our tour group walking in the streets – architecture, history, human stories all unfold. We pop our heads in someone’s home, we stop for vino santo and biscotti at a local artisan’s shop, and Annie gets us to a great vantage point among the throngs (Permesso!) so we can see the raising of the Ceri. What a sight and experience comparable to New Year’s Eve in Times Square! We catch our breaths, meet up, enjoy a wine tasting at the Relais Ducale and are surprised by one of the local bands that wander in and serenades us. From there we have a great lunch at a top restaurant where we eat, drink, laugh, sing and are again serenaded by one of the local bands and invited to our restaurant by Annie – what an amazing and joyous day!" Vince and Marie Ingenito, White Plains, NY (11/2005) "One of
the highlights of our independent self guided tour was the opportunity
to join you and several others on our very intimate, lively trip
to Gubbio on May 15 for the Corsa dei Ceri. Not only did
we have the experience of a lifetime when you led us to the
near front of the huge crowd and explained every aspect of the celebration,
but we felt like we were actually a part of the Gubbio citizenry.
The pre-arranged lunch was beyond our expectations. Then the trip
to the various workshops for a personal meeting with each artisan
enabled us to learn more about life in Umbria. Your knowledge, enthusiasm,
friendliness and caring attitude are very much appreciated!"
Bill and Thea Weedman, Encinitas, CA
"Thank you for the excellent May
15 Gubbio FESTAtour, a highlight of my trip.. I was particularly
pleased to hear about the architectural details of Medieval buildings,
to go along beautiful country roads with intelligent discussion/elaboration,
and to participate in the interactions with the Italians on-the-ground,
so to speak. The Jessup, Pennsylvania, connection was fascinating.
....and the dinner was fantastic, no doubt the best I had during
my time in Italy, so that experience was particularly positive.
It was also pleasant to be interacting with other Italians there
(and the waiter...and the band!) and feel a part of the scene rather
than an observer.
So, a big thanks to you both. Pleasant conversation, great sights,
good information, and that glorious Italian sun/country."
R. G. Walker, Wilsonville, OR (6/2005) Floral dinner - Spello
"How does Anne find these unique
festivals? (Her knowledge of Umbria is phenomenal!) Anne took
us to a floral dinner in Spello in early June - "please don't
eat the daisies" took on a new meaning! We sampled herbs, roses,
cornflowers, and other delicacies worked into wonderful recipes
whipped up by a master chef. The wine flowed and the evening was
full of good cheer and great expectations for all present. Just
us and the locals (all "Spellani" - we were the only non-Spellani
there!) We toasted the upcoming Festival of Flowers - Spello's biggest
annual event held on Corpus Christi each year. The beauty of the
flower carpets or Infiorate is a sight to behold. Virtually unknown
to the outside world, Anne has managed to introduce Americans to
this event. She really makes it a special occasion. Stay in Umbria
long enough to experience both the dinner and the Sunday of the
Infiorate!"
Laura Papallo, Covington, CT (www.divalaura.com)
Le Infiorate - Spello
"I feel so lucky to have happened upon your Spello Infiorate tour and Assisi was amazing! In fact, all the "extras" you incorporated into both tours made those days even more special... and I still say that the meal at your home was one of the best and we did have alot of
fabulous food!" Hattie Notman, Marion, MA (5/2007)
"Anne Robichaud's
insider's tour of the Spello Infiorate was the highlight of our
two week trip to Italy. As if seeing the beautiful flower carpet's
and the town festivities weren't enough, Anne arranged for a delicious
breakfast hosted in the home of a local woman, introduced us to
Brother Paul who gave us a special blessing and words of wisdom,
detailed the Pinturicchio frescoes some of the most beautiful we
saw in Italy, and as the finale hosted a private wine and olive
oil tasting of the region's finest wines.
We can't wait for our next trip to Italy, one that will definitely
include at least one of Anne's tours!" Angelique Reed, Atlanta, GA
2-day Festatour - Gubbio,
La Verna, Assisi
"Anne, Roald and I want to thank you
for our amazing days with you on Oct 3rd and 4th. They were the
highlight of our trip. We both think the Saint Francis feast
day tour was a highlight of our lives. We felt transported to
the middle ages and are still in an Assisi haze. How do you do it?
We spent two days recovering...!
We love Assisi more than any place we have visited in Italy. Thank
you again for the most thrilling memory - participating in Saint
Francis' feast day celebration." Roald and Linda Nell Bendixen, Poulsbo, WA (October 2004)
"Anne, Thank you
for the wonderful time we had on your St. Frances of Assisi Festatour
in early October. It was truly the highlight of our 2-12 week trip
to Italy and France. I now completely understand all of the enthusiastic
compliments I've read about you and your tours over the web and
have several to add myself... Absolutely every minute of the tour
was fun, informative, interesting, and unforgettable. The most
wonderful part of the tour for us was lunch with your wonderful
friends - Edoardo, Anna Maria, and Sophia in their home. What a
truly beautiful family and a fabulous home with so much history.
No one believes me when I tell them that part of their home dates
to 300 B.C.!" Ann McClellan, Seattle, WA
"Our entire
two-week trip to Italy was designed specifically around our attending
the October 4th Feast of St. Francis in Assisi as part of Annes
special FESTAtour. We found her In-depth tour to be not only
historically educational, insightful, but delightful as well. Her
command of the Italian language (her second language) along with
her knowledge of her beloved city, Assisi, and her relationship
with the townspeople made the tour a most unforgettable and meaningful
one! The celebration of St. Francis, the patron saint of Italy,
began on the morning of October 4th with a heralding of trumpets
and the pealing of church bells. A colorful procession of folkloric
dancers, musicians, mayors, and regional officials, along with a
conclave of Franciscan monks, led the followers of St. Francis through
the ancient cobble-stone streets to the Basilica. As mass was being
held, Anne carefully explained the spiritually meaningful events
of the day before leading us on her personal tour of Assisi. We
found it to be a most delightful and memorable day - wrapped up
with the warmth and generosity only Anne could give!"
Carole and Winston Bumpus, Livermore, CA
We planned our only
available day in Assisi around the annual Feast of St. Francis in
October, which is one of Anne's FESTAtours. Anne escorted
us around and through the mass of Assisi visitors in town for the
celebrations; including maneuvering us in on the tail of the parade
so we could easily move to the Basilica di San Francesco for ceremonies.
(Some parade watchers even thought we were Italian dignitaries
that really belonged in the parade!) We really enjoyed how Anne
got us involved in the local culture by moving us through the medieval
back streets, pointing out features we would never notice by ourselves,
and introducing us to many local artisans and craftsmen. One
of the highlights of this festive day was having a splendid Italian
lunch served by a gracious family within their medieval villa.
We blended into the local scene very well because Ann didn't use
the typical tour guide's "red umbrella "to keep everybody
together. The umbrella wasn't necessary because Anne limits the
size of her tours! This also makes it easy to listen when Anne stops
to share with the group - everybody can hear, not just those close
to her. The Italians call her "Annie, the American".
But we've never seen an American that is so Italian! She's really
"at home" in Italy and eager to share her love of the
country's history, culture and art. We thoroughly enjoyed our
day with Anne. Bud and Nancy Hedglen, Clayton, CA
"We signed up
for Anne's FESTAtour, Spello/Bevagna Tour and an Italian
cooking lesson for our "young chef" - age 9. Each tour
included added highlights and the FESTAtour included a scrumptious
lunch in the garden of a private home in Assisi. A particularly
touching moment during our FESTAtour occurred while visiting
Don Aldo Brunacci, a 90-yr old priest in Assisi. A Jewish family
accompanying us on the tour brought tears to our eyes as
they expressed their heart-felt thanks and appreciation to Father
Brunacci for his efforts in helping to hide about 250 Jews from
the Nazis in Assisi during WWII. We can honestly say that, with
Anne's assistance, our visit to Assisi/Umbria was enriched immeasurably
beyond what we would have ever experienced on our own."
Ann Corbett, Seattle, WA
"Annie Robichaud
is our ideal guide. Not only does she know all the important details
of Umbria's historical and artistic treasures and its most up-to-date
events, but she knows the land (the right backroad for the most
beautiful scenery) and, most importantly, she knows the people (a
stop in Gubbio to ask after someone's grandmother, a visit to her
brother-in-law's; wonderful book-binding studio, lunch with an
Assisi family in their historic home and hello's all along the
street in Assisi). We loved every minute with her on our two-day
St. Francis Festatour."
Jane Ellis & Jack Litewka, Seattle, WA
Every
year, on the first Thursday, Friday and Saturday in May, Assisi celebrates
the re-birth of spring with a bellissima medieval festa,
Calendimaggio, in which the whole town participates in a
magnificent re-evocation of medieval life (See 
What
will we do on the FESTAtour?