Did you know there is a museum in Italy where pregnant women are exempt from an admission fee? In the small southern Tuscan town of Monterchi,…. …..pregnant women enter free to see the 15th-century Renaissance masterpiece of Piero della Francesca, Madonna del Parto (“Madonna of Childbirth”). The mysteries linked to this splendid fresco fascinated me. Who…
Black truffles are not the only temptation on the menu at Trattoria Lea in the northern Umbria town of Citta’ di Castello: But shaved fresh black truffles highlighted many a dish guests were enjoying at Trattoria Lea recently…. ….from homemade tagliatelle to gnocchi: Those black truffles starred in many a meat dish, too. In the kitchen,…
I was contemplating the views spreading out all around us…. …..sitting in front of our agriturismo (farmhouse B&B) in the Sibiillini mountains in the Marches region. Appropriately called “Alti Pascoli,” (“High Pastures”), the agriturismo is perched at 830 meters, overlooking gently rolling wooded slopes. Our simple but charming room was at the top of the metal stairs flanking the farmhouse. …
The people from Assisi are assisani, and those from Perugia are perugini. From Spello, spellani. The citizens of hilltown Montefalco are montefalchesi and derutesi live in Deruta while folignati live in Foligno. But can you guess the name of the inhabitants of the northern Umbrian town near the Tiber River, Citta’ di Castello? Castellani? Castellini? Castellesi? You are not even close. The locals of Citta’ di…
In elegant ancient Roman garb, blonde-haired Greta told me with pride about her performances in Bolsena’s July 24th celebration of the lake-side town’s patron saint Cristina, I Misteri di Santa Cristina (those scenes depicting the martyrdom travails of the town’s 4th-century Saint). Greta has performed ever since age 12. “And I’ve played Santa Cristina twice!,” she…
Spello, Umbria medieval gem, entices right from your first glimpse as you pull off the highway: Spello enchants for its medieval architecture, a splendid Renaissance fresco, recently discovered Roman mosaics, and stunning flowering backstreets: But when exploring Spello, you simply can’t miss seekng out local artists and artisans, linking past artistic traditions to the present.…
Zucchini and eggplants are debuting in our Assisi countryside garden now….. and I decided to prepare them for Pino: adding a Sicilian touch (as he is from Palermo). . Herbs I’d use? Parsley…. . and mint: I’d decided to season the sauteed eggplants with diced mint and garlic, olive oil and a splash of…
Not all my Assisi guided tours begin in the same location and I certainly don’t generally launch a tour with tips on how to choose the best gelato. I did that, though, when sharing Assisi wonders with the two young daughters and niece of Mallory recently: And the enthusiasm of Paige, Presley and Reagan was not…
Such joy to be sharing Umbria wonders in my Umbria hilltown tours once again – after two years of enforced “pause.” Ready for an Italy trip? Do enjoy the comments of recent tour guests. an enticement, I hope. “What a wonderful week of touring the Umbrian hill towns with Anne Robichaud! We visited during Easter…
When touring Orvieto recently with guests Judy and Grady, the magnificent Duomo (cathedral) simply had to be starting point: The facade’s early 14th-century marble bas-reliefs by Sienese architect Lorenzo Maitani and assistants – as well as other masters – were not only splendid adornment to the lower level but certainly served as instruction on Old Testament…