Such a fun day! Each of the places we visited is a small, family-owned and operated business that luckily has managed to weather the economic storm and stay open. We are so excited because we are actually going to be a sort of distributor for the family that produces our dishes, and so we will be able to sell all kinds of beautiful things, from their beautiful hand-painted dishes to very unique Christmas ornaments.
We added a few things to our order yesterday, including small lamps for each table (so cute!) and some other details like salt and pepper shakers. Here are some photos from the store:
This is the cute little piazza in front of the store:
Here are a few shots of things on display inside the store:
just click on the link to read all the article. we liked it.
What I enjoyed the most was exploring the cobbled streets, discovering local markets and shops, shopping with the locals, sampling the local wines and produce and enjoying the casual atmosphere at the café bar watching life go on in this beautiful little town. The locals were so friendly (as are most Italians), laughing at my attempts to order and buy produce, and an experience I would repeat tomorrow.
This phrase of a guy who have been in Orvieto is what we think it is the best way to explore and live Umbria. To read all the article click on the link above.
the joys of Umbria, the region of Italy you might never have considered visiting before;
This is the most common phrase. Unfortunately (or fortunately) Umbria is not so well-known in the world, but once you find it, you love it! Click on the link above to read all this wonderful article about a honeymoon in Umbria.
Day 30
Yesterday was one of my favorite days of the year: Cantine Aperte. A countrywide wine tasting, the event’s name literally means “Open Wineries.” I started just outside of the Montefalco region, a D.O.C.G. region that produces wines made with the Sagrantino grape. The word sagra means festival or party, so I like to think of the grape as a “little party,” although that is not actually what it means. However, yesterday’s event was a very. big. party.
The wine road, La Strada del Sagrantino, runs through the region, bringing many visitors to the wineries. I visited Antonelli Winery first. Even at 10:30 in the morning, barbecues were smoking, and salami and prosciutto were being sliced and
served. My girlfriend and I purchased our glasses for 5 euros each, then tried our second Grechetto. It was different than the first (less oak), showing the grape’s versatility. At the next winery, Fongoli, each glass of wine cost between 1-2.50 euros. Their wines are good, but because I was driving, I wasn’t prepared to drink an entire glass
Cantine Aperte is the best wine tasting event that happen in Umbria. 1) it is cheap: it cost €5 to get your glass and then you can tour all the wineries you want, tasting their wines. 2) it is fun: lots lots of people are around + you move from one cellar to another, mostly using a car, but cellars are close one to another + music and concerts are available in some cellars. 3) it is complete: you find also food in wineries.
Cantine aperte is definitely the best wine tasting event in Umbria.
continue the read of the article clicking on the link above or read our article about the event here: http://umbrialoversblog.blogspot.com/2010/06/glass-of-wine-is-not-always-only...
In Orvieto, Italy, when you purchase a house, you gain all the rights to the caves below your land. Since the 9th century, the natural Orvieto caves have been expanded for many different uses including storing water, livestock, wine or grain. In Medieval Times, some caves were used as garbage dumps, leaving a treasure trove for archaeologists today. Locals regularly discover ancient artifacts in their caves. They also transform the caves for modern purposes. More photos and info on the caves below the jump...
A great article about the Orvieto Caves, one of the must-view places if you have a trip in Orvieto. Click on the link above to read it.
Bella Umbria!
Bella Umbria!
A couple weekends ago I packed my bags and went off to Umbria with my husband, daugther and two other terrific families to a memorable gem high in the hills of Fratta Todina in Umbria.
I know this is a wine and gourmet food site, not a travel site, but I would be remiss if I neglected to share our accommodations with you. We stayed at the extremely lovely La Palazzetta del Vescovo. I first found this Relais on "Trip Advisor" after many hours of searching for a great get-away. I was intrigued because it had many reviews and NOT ONE was negative. Odd, because there is always some curmudgeon out there who has something negative to say about every place I've ever seen reviewed. My first visit resulted in me adding to the glowing reviews on "Trip Advisor." This past visit was my third time back to La Palazzetta del Vescovo and it was more like going to see good friends then it was going to a place to stay. The structure used to be a vacation home of a bishop and the owners have beautifully restored the, once pile of rubble, with impeccable quality and attention to detail. Stefano and Paola, are lovely, gracious hosts who make you feel like you've known them for years. The food is prepared by Paola with passion as evidenced in each taste. The wine is carefully selected by Stefano, a certified Sommelier, whose ability to find exquisite wines and pair them with Paola's food is superb. Chiaretta is an added bonus - a bouncy, happy dog who accompanies Stefano to greet guests upon arrival.
We agree with the phrase: "it was more like going to see good friends then it was going to a place to stay". In Umbria we have many agriturismo where you can get this experience. We think they are the best way to experience Umbria since you are basically living with the family who own the farm house. Put also some wine tasting in the story and the job is done. Great experience. To read all the story above just click on the tasteandshare link.
Rainy morning in Spoleto
Woke up to the sound of pigeons and locals outside my window on via Garibaldi. Its cloudy and rainy, but perfect. Have been walking around all morning and afternoon. Sat in front of Chiesa Santa Eufemia to rest. Italian tourists love their capris. Both men and women.
Via Garibaldi
Beautiful Spoleto, one of the most beautiful villages in Umbria with lot of arts, culture, but also with great places to eat! mmmmmm! This post has some really nice pics of it! Well done!
The second course is what Shannon, across from me, dubs “heaven on a plate,” and the flamboyant, friendly man beside me claims is “to die for.” We quickly agree as we dive into fat tufoli with that uniquely Italian tomato sauce, fresh-from-the-garden, slightly sweet, igniting every taste bud. “Wild boar cheek,” Giampiero explains, waving over the dish like the master magician, before he uncorks another bottle of wine and refills our glasses.
We’re quickly coming to love Giampiero.
The others move on to dessert and grappa, served in a mishmash of small shot glasses. But our eyes are on what’s next for us, a fantastic fennel, fried golden brown, with a hearty, pork stew in a light, delicious gravy.
Happily satiated, we sit back to learn more of our companions, their travels, our host. Three hours of heady, animated, wine fueled conversation later, we drift outdoors, through an olive grove and to the edge of a cliff, where below us, Orvieto’s cathedral glows. Now this, we think, hand in hand, is what we imagined.
Dinner is not only a tasting experience, it's also a human experience. In Umbria we love to sit down with friends, enjoying great food and sharing stories... and it seems that this experience is appreciated also from people who come to visit the region... click the link above to read all the article.
A nice and "unusual" pic by @umbriandream. It's not so easy to find Palm trees in Umbria...
I have many reasons to love Umbria, or “Il Cuore Verde D’Italia” (The Green Heart of Italy). It’s winding roads, cascading hills, and interesting villages are among the most general of its delights.
A nice post about the Infiorata di Spello, an event that you should read about if still don't know it, and a couple of great considerations about Umbria from @dlcuratolo (click the "via" link to continue reading)
