How do Italians celebrate important events? By joining together and feasting, logicamente. In the Assisi hills, the Feast of Santa Anna on July 26th, is celebrated for 10 days with passione – and gusto. Up in the hills – not far from Assisi – in an area called “Paradiso,” locals unite in an evening food…
During a recent jaunt to Lake Fiastra (in the Marches region), we discovered that gem, the Rifugio di Tribbio, thanks to a tip from our daughter Giulia. Even if you are not seeking a stay in a mountain refuge (rifugio) during a trekking trip, do drop in to taste the goodness at the ristorante of the…
Recently, we headed to that medieval fortified town, Castiglione del Lago, on Lake Trasimeno, on an outing of nostalgia: Pino wanted to see again the medieval wall restored by his team in 2013. But lunch first: right across the street from the lake, just outside the town: We headed to La Capannina (“The Little Shed”…or…
Many a summer week-end, we’ll head to Lake Bolsena, in the region of Latium, not far from the southeastern border of our region, Umbria, As we approach the town, vineyards span out along the road: Lake Bolsena – once a volcanic crater – soon appears, the medieval fortress, Rocca Monaldeschi, perched on the hill above…
Lake Bolsena has its own Eden: the Hotel Eden, right on the shores of that lake, once a volcanic crater. Pino and I often spend a week-end there or simply stay overnight on Saturday – as we did recently, arriving not too long before dinner. Luckily, we were in time for that sunset splendor: As…
We headed to Scheggino in the Valnerina (Nera River Valley) one steamy July…. …seeking the cool, for the town perches over the Nera River: The winding narrow streets are typical of the fortification architecture of a medieval castle; in fact, Scheggino One still feels that sense of protection when wandering the Scheggino medieval backstreets:.. ….and…
Not far from Pino’s family home on the Palermo outskirts, Bar Gardenia goodness entices. Our Palermo visits – like a recent one – always include stops there for caffe’ and pasticceria goodnes. A summer attraction for many in Sicily is that gelo di anguria, a chilled watermelon pudding. At Bar Gardenia, that gelo di anguria …
I came back to our Assisi farmhouse the other day with my hat full of Umbria’s “black gold,” truffles. After a recemt morning caffe’ at the nearby Ristorante Da Giovannino…… ….I ran into Loris, just back from hunting truffles – and what a find! …..thanks to Quark, talented spring spaniel truffle pup: After his early…
We’d set out to explore the Castello di Postignano in the Valnerina mountain area of Umbria – with no plans for a lunch stop. Thanks to a local tip, we discovered – not far from that imposing feudal castle – a small nondescript trattoria known for that culinary specialty of this Valnerina area, la…
Tour guests, Kerry and her parents, Judie and Bill, joined in recently for a banquet with rural friend near Deruta, Giuseppa. The family prosciutto with an organic melon was just a tidbit as a starter. Little did they know what was to come! A buonissima pasta all’amatriciana followed: the tomatoes, onions, garlic, olive oil..and pancetta…