According to legends, a myriad of la Madonna images have miraculously arrived in Italy from the sea. No one knows when the venerated Byzantine Madonna Greca image arrived in Isola a Capo Rizzuto (Calabria) but legend dates the arrival of la Madonna della Madia – not on a boat but on a raft – into…
Another wondrous day in Perugia..and then on to Deruta for lunch with farm friend, Giuseppa. Mark and Susan from Hong Kong remained captivated today by Giuseppa..and her cooking. Can’t you feel our good times in the photos below? Click here for more on Giuseppa – and her passione Read about Giuseppa, husband Paolo and a…
I’ve decided it’s time to offer more than just Umbrian hilltown guided tours. After all, my love for Umbria is tied to the land as well as to the art and history. This inaugural ten-day Annesitaly “Inside Umbria” Adventure in May will include guided visits to Assisi (more than once!), Perugia, Deruta, Bevagna, Spello, Spoleto,…
Sarah and Bob, glad you stayed in our countryside apartment, Casa Nuova, taking home to Seattle “unforgettable memories” as you wrote to us: “So many unforgettable memories to treasure: the bounty of the garden, tomatoes, grapes, figs – wonderful people and food and the serenade of the donkeys to name only a few. Thank you…
“What can we say? Your hospitality, your love, passion and knowledge of Umbria has made our stay in Assisi the experience of a lifetime! From the bottom of our 12 hearts, we say….grazie mille!” Becky and Marcello (and their Viaggi Italiani tour group) Becky and Marcello, every single visit to our rural friends, remains “the…
We just harvested our olives. Alleluia, alleluia! Last year, for the first time in our forty years on the land in Umbria, we skipped olive-picking in November: la mosca olearia devastated olive crops due to a mild winter (absence of freezing temperatures which the olive trees need) intense rains in June and July, and an…
I certainly love sharing the Umbrian hill towns with my tour guests. But sharing Umbrian rural lore while preparing Umbrian goodness in our Assisi farmhouse is just as fulfilling. Karen and Todd, thanks for bringing me family and friends to savor Umbria. Mille grazie for your enthusiasm: “Thank you for your Italian hospitality. We loved…
Little Claire, thanks so much for your note: “…your place is the best place in Italy… I am glad I came here because since you live in Italy, now I like it. I think Italy is much more better than New York. Miss you. Love, your best friend, Claire” (age 7). And Leslie (and Ken),…
Salute, Ed and Sid! Thanks for coming to stay in our Assisi countryside apartment, Casa Nuova and a pleasure to share Umbrian wonders with you. I remember these moments as highlights of your stay: * Dinner together in our farmhouse on your arrival night * Our Assisi and Spello day, including the wine-tasting/truffles banquet *…
To fully experience Umbria, “Italy’s green heart,” you’ll have to connect with the people. Meet our rural neighbors, those most directly connected to our Umbrian land. Each one, a “national” (as well as “regional”) treasure. Peppa opens not just her wine cellar but her heart to you as well. Ugo – over eighty – might…