Assisians are excited about the new Pope, who has taken the name of San Francesco, patron saint of Italy… and will be here for la Festa di San Francesco on October 4,…
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When you walk Assisi, the medieval splendors leap out at you around every corner. Panoramic vistas spread in the valley below. You’ll want to try to capture the magic in your photos.…
The day after the Festa, Oct 5th, the town becomes an open marketplace as the annual street fair, la Fiera di San Francesco, winds its way through the medieval alleyways of the…
“You’ve brought the world to us,” Olga once told me with a hug after a banquet dinner at her home. Olga and Americo have warmly welcomed everyone into their home and both…
Montefalco, noted for its fine Sagrantino wines, loom-woven linen textiles and the stunning Museo of San Francesco, hides many a secret as well. Suor Giovanna is one. She remains – for me…
In the late 90’s, in a moment of pazzia (madness), I decided to try for the official authorization of Guida Regionale dell’Umbria. Here in Italy, only authorized guides may offer tours. Sanctions…
Ah, Perugia, “city of the infinite view”, as Henry James wrote. Pre-Roman Etruscan city gates, a stunning 13th-c. fountain, frescoed and wood-inlaid guild halls, a majestic medieval courthouse, a 15th-c Papal fortress,…
Finding the hidden backstreets in Bevagna[/caption]Bevagna offers something to every visitor. The 1st c A.D, mosaics of the Roman baths – hidden away in the backstreets – astound. If you can locate…
Built in local pink limestone like Assisi, medieval hilltown gem Spello wins over any visitor with its flowering backstreets, Roman remnants,medieval churches, stunning Renaissance frescoes and one of Italy’s top wine cellars…
The best “aftermath” to my February/March U.S. cooking lessons/lectures tour are notes like this one from Mary (who joined in and cooked with me in Pennsylvannia in mid-March- and then cooked our…