Over two months of blistering heat here in Italy (summer, 2026) inspired all to seek the cool whenever possible. That mountainside area, Costa di Trex – just about 6 km from Assisi – drew many for dinners in the evening cool during the feasting days August 5th to 14th: Tables filled up as friends joined…
What luck recently when connecting with truffle-hunter Loris: That day, he’d had a good morning truffling as I could tell peeping into his car’s front window (his two prized truffle dogs in the backseat): He even gave me a Loris even gave me a few small black truffles: “too small to sell.” Well, maybe too…
Hottest summer in recorded history here in Italy…and not only. The heat dulls appetites and so most of our summetime dinners these days are centered on simple vegetable dishes. Eggplants in our garden often star in la caponata, Sicilian vegetable goodness. I’ve shared the recipe for this Sicilian vegtable highlight in my blog https://www.annesitaly.com/recipes/caponata-di-melanzane/ Another…
Blistering weather this summer and TV news the other night announced the hottest in recorded history here in Umbria. Mamma mia! We’re eating many vegetable dishes, abundant amounts of fruit (watermelon especially!) and our dinnertime main course might be just a tomato/mozzarella/basil salad. In early evening when cooler, I might cook up something: la peperonata…
What tasty gelato just a few kilometers from medieval gem, Assisi. Ice-cream appassionati will not want to miss this short detour. Head to an Assisi frazione (“a fraction,” i.e., a tiny suburb), Palazzo di Assisi, for a stop at Gelateria Oxy. Oxy gelato goodness is just across the street from the medieval palazzo, once a…
I NEVER miss May 15th in Gubbio for the Corsa dei Ceri. There are endless memorable moments. Even viewing the stately 14th-c.medieval seat of government, Palazzo dei Consoli, on arrival brings moments of anticipation… There’s the Alzata (raising up) of the beloved three Ceri that starts off the race in front of the Palazzo. …
Every year on April 30th, animated assisani gather in front of the Chiesa Nuova (“the New Church” – architecture of the early 17th-century!), just off Assisi’s main square, Piazza del Comune. To the right of the church (said to be the legendary site of the home of San Francesco di Assisi), contemporary bronze statues of…
At a recent Assisi textile exhibit, a poster declares, embroidery can link peoples, “sharing a common thread.” The fascinating textile exhibit in the 14th- century medieval palazzo of Assisì, “citta’ della pace,” unites Palestine and Assisi. Entitled “Unite da un filo d’amore” (“United by a thread of love”), the textile exhibit unites works of the…
Naturalmente, black truffle (tartufo nero – and thus that “nero norcia“) stars every year (62nd edition this year!) at the Nero Norcia festival: Pino and I took in the festival on a late Sunday in February, enjoying the spectacular views of the Sibilline mountains as we neared this medieval gem: In Norcia, we wandered the…
A young pair from Bologna in vintage dress, with vintage instruments livened up this year’s Umbria Jazz Winter Festival in Orvieto with 1940’s and 1950’s rock n’ roll and country music. Their tangible joy and captivating stage presence won over the audience – as always when this Lovesick Duo performs. Their concert certainly was total…