Infiorata, Spello, Umbria - 9/10 June 2012

The Infiorata in Spello takes place each year to celebrate Corpus Domini, the religious ceremony (in the catholic calendar) that sees the consecrated host being processed through the streets of this stunningly ancient town, complete with Etruscan arches and Roman remains.

Dating back over a hundred years, the laying of flower petals on the streets in front of the procession was started by an elderly Spellana, who scattered broom, the beautiful, fragrant, bright yellow spring flower, in front of her house as the procession passed by.

Since then, the annual celebration has taken on new dimensions and now the streets are covered with beautiful designs and pictures made entirely from flower petals and seed pods.

The whole town is involved and there are prizes awarded for the best designs in various categories including Under 14's, Tapetti (rugs) and Quadri (pictures covering piazzas or large streets).  Even the children join with work starting on the Saturday lasting all night and finishing with final touches early on the Sunday morning before the procession starts.

It's an incredible sight and recommended to anyone visiting Umbria at this time.  The apartment at Villa Bastiola is within an easy drive of Spello making it a great day out for everyone.

Gubbio, Umbria - Festivals & Events

Festa dei Ceri - 15 May 2012

Gubbio, one of Umbria's most interesting medieval towns sees the race of the ancient "Ceri" (Candles) through the tiny cobbled streets and up the mountainside to the church at the top. There is a fabulous atmosphere and it's wonderful to see all generations join in the celebrations.  The Eugubines are called the "Matti d'Italia" and you can see why at this amazing festival!

Palio della Balestra - 29 May 2012

Dating back to medieval times, the town of Gubbio has always been in competition with the town of Sansepolcro, just over the border in Tuscany, to see who has the best crossbow archer. This "Palio" or competition is held between the two teams and a challenge match is held in Sansepolcro in September.

The famous sbandieratori are also present and a serious flag-throwing demonstration heralds the beginning of the competition.

Both these events take place within a fortnight at the end of May.  It's a great chance to visit Umbria and enjoy some of the rich culture of the area and join in the fun with the locals.

The apartment at Villa Bastiola is just 40 minutes away so it's perfect for a day trip.  There are some excellent restaurants and trattoria there too not to mention the incredible remains of a Roman ampitheatre.

Harvesting the olives at Villa Bastiola

This year we were lucky enough to have some guests staying with us at harvest time.  Kathy and Tom from Maine in the States who couldn't have been nicer and who spent a lovely morning harvesting the olives from our trees in the gardens at Villa Bastiola.

This year's crop wasn't great - the long hot summer meant that the olives were fairly small and not all of the trees had produced any olives.  So the yield was low, but we managed to get just enough to have nearly 10 litres of delicious green/golden nectar of extra virgin olive oil to see us through the year.

Although Kathy and Tom couldn't fit much into their suitcases, they did manage to make room to take back a couple of bottles of the oil to enjoy at home, reminiscing about their holidays here.

The weather was gorgeous, no fog, so the olives were dry, blue skies and sunshine.  Pretty cold at first, it soon warmed up and we were able to have a coffee break on the terrace!

We served a traditional Italian lunch for the workers, with crostini, oodles of pasta al forno and pannacotta to finish up.

Kathy and Tom have travelled extensively throughout Italy and particularly like Umbria. They had been to this area before and were keen to come back in time for the Truffle fair at Città di Castello at the beginning of their stay.

They really enjoyed the self catering apartment at Villa Bastiola and shared it first with their daughter and son-in-law and then with some old friends from the States.  The two en-suite bedrooms and lovely kitchen, make for a really comfortable place to stay.

For full details about the self catering apartment at Villa Bastiola, please visit www.villabastiola.com 

Recommended by Trip Advisor and Alastair Sawdays.

White Truffle Fair, Città di Castello, Umbria - 4-6 Nov 2011

Truffle Fair, Città di Castello, Umbria

The White Truffle Fair at Città di Castello in Umbria takes place every year and is a fantastic event.  

This coming weekend, the historic centre will be full of stands and gazebos selling everything from dried porcini to truffle sauces, black truffles and white truffles, olive oil fresh from the presses this year, to salami, (the best are from the Norcia region of Umbria), cheeses, breads and traditional cakes and sweets.

White truffle is currently being sold at 3,300 Euro per kg this year!!!! That makes it about100 Euro for one very thin slice on top of your plate of your pasta - it just could be some of the most expensive food you will every eat!!! And the most delicious...

The first time I went to the fair (6 years ago now), I was overwhelmed by the fragrance and smells coming from the gazebo in the main square.  There's nothing like it and it really seems to mean that autumn is well and truly here.  

Not to miss are the hot roasted chestnuts with a glass of vin novello (the "new" red wine from this year's harvest).

There are all sorts of activities happening too, chefs showing their skills cooking truffles, workshops and classes to take part in.

I always say it but late October and early November are a great time to visit this part of Italy.  It really comes into its own, with truffles, porcini, olive oil, salami and cheeses being found and produced locally.  The cuisine of Umbria is hard to beat!

Come and stay with us next year for this special occasion - www.villabastiola.com . 

Cookery Courses in Umbria with Dana and Melchiorre

This summer we were lucky enough to bump into amazing Sardinian chef Melchiorre and his American partner, pastry chef, Dana.

They create an amazing team and offer catering, cookery courses for all ages (including groups for kids) and cheese making classes.

While you are staying at the lovely apartment at Villa Bastiola, why not consider taking an afternoon learning to make some of the delicious dishes that Italy is famous for in the stunning kitchen at the apartment? 

If you are really want to take it easy and not self cater all the time, Dana and Melchiorre will even come to the apartment and cook for you.

Dana is a fully trained masseuse so to make your holiday totally relaxing, you could book her for a massage as well!

Full details about this incredible couple can be found at:

http://mangiamangiaitaly.wordpress.com/

Details of the apartment at Villa Bastiola can be found at www.villabastiola.com .

Tripadvisor Slideshow for Villa Bastiola

Welcome to the Villa Bastiola. by Sally Ann Marconi in Umbertide, Umbria. Brought to you by TripAdvisor Vacation Rentals, powered by TripWow!™

Casco dell'Acqua, Umbria

Casco dell'Acqua, Umbria

The tiny, tiny cluster of houses that is Casco dell'Acqua is hard to find but well worth the effort this weekend!  Each year they have a flower festival where the river Clitunno, which flows through the village, is decorated with amazing floral displays.  This year the theme was 150 years of Italian unification and pictured above are just some of the stunning designs.  We didn't know about this festival until today, when we visited Trevi and saw a poster about it.  Glad we went - it's just one of those little celebrations of life that go on in every Italian village, that mean so much to the local inhabitants and touch those of us from the outside lucky enough to take part.

www.villabastiola.com 

Campello sul Clituunno, Umbria

Campello sul Clitunno, Umbria

The beautiful, tranquil waters at Campello sul Clitunno, famous for having inspired Lord Byron...

The spring rises here and feeds the river Clitunno.

Mother and babies paddling along...

All along the backwaters, through the rushes tall...

And there would have to be a beautiful swan!

About 4 miles from Trevi, it makes sense to visit both places in one day.  We had a picnic under the trees by the water's edge on table and benches provided.  Very relaxing and peaceful even if it has become a bit touristy.  You can imagine why Byron was inspired to write some of his poetry here.

Stay at Villa Bastiola and visit Trevi and Campello in just under an hour's drive.

Trevi , Umbria

Trevi, Umbria

The beautiful hilltop town of Trevi with Montefalco in the distance.

Trevi just seems to tumble delightfully down the hillside.

The slopes around Trevi are covered with olive trees and at this time of year poppies abound in the hedgerows and under the olive trees.

And today we even caught a horseriding group coming into the town centre.

Trevi is in the heart of the olive growing area for Umbria and the slopes are simply covered with olive trees. It's a gorgeous site and although only a tiny town, Trevi always has something special going on and a very proactive art museum in the historic centre.

Just under an hours drive from the apartment at Villa Bastiola there is plenty to see and do in the area around Trevi.

For bookings and info email info@villabastiola.com for more details.

150 years of unified Italy!

Last Thursday saw Italy celebrating 150 years of unification! Berlusconi's government decided to mark the event with a bank holiday!

Although there were flags, bunting and banners out everywhere, the day itself was really quiet. People just seemed to enjoy being at home with family having a great lunch and maybe a stroll after. There wasn't a loud ringing of bells or huge parties to celebrate.

Maybe because, Italy still doesn't feel very unified. The social and economic differences between the north and south of Italy are still very marked. Even in this area of Umbria where we live, everything is very local, dialects can change from one village to the next and although formal Italian is taught in schools, youngsters still speak dialect at home as well.

That said, the appeal of Italy, the "thing" that we all dream of when we think of holidaying here, exists from north to south. A love of great food, amazing wines, beauty, talking, discussing, arm waving, family celebrations, sunshine and an open, take-you-to-their-hearts-manner exists wherever you go.

We tried to make the Italian flag with some cupcakes but it came out long and skinny (see the photo)!!