White Truffle Fair at Città di Castello, Umbria

Last weekend, Città di Castello was host to the 30th annual White Truffle Fair. This event is always a great success, with visitors coming from all over the world to sample this delicious gastronomic delight.

Huge marquees are set up in the gardens of the elegant Palazzo Bufalini with stands selling salamis, prosciuttos, cheeses, truffles, porcini mushrooms, olive oils, dolci from Naples and a whole host of other delicious products. The scent of truffle as you walk into the marquee is strong and sends tastebuds into overdrive! Inside the Palazzo Bufalini there was wine tasting too.

If you missed out this year, think about booking an autumn holiday to Umbria in 2010. It's a great time of year to visit, usually with bright, sunny days and the countryside looking stunning in its autumn colours. Olives are usually being harvested and first pressings are available to taste and to buy.

The apartment at Villa Bastiola is still available for holidays in late October/early November so email now for enquiries at info@villabastiola.com .

Festa d'autunno, Monte Santa Maria Tiberina, 23-25 Oct 2009

The ancient tiny hilltop hamlet of Monte Santa Maria Tiberina is host to the annual Autumn Festival this coming weekend.

For three days the cobbled streets are filled with stalls serving roasted chestnuts, porchetta, woodland goodies like Porcini mushrooms and truffles, locals parade through the streets in medieval dress and there is flame throwing and other entertainment!

The Monte is really, really old with Etruscan origins. If you visit the village today, you can still see the form and layout of medieval times. It is perched high on the hillside with incredible views over the Upper Tiber Valley. The main tower is visible for miles around, even from neighbouring Tuscany and is a real local landmark.

On Friday 23rd the Festa opens with a dinner in the old castle at 21.00. On Saturday 24th October, from 16.00 onwards there are typical artisan stalls and medieval entertainment. On the morning of Sunday 25th, you can walk in the local woods looking for mushrooms and chestnuts, have lunch in the Taverna del Gatto and in the afternoon see the flagthrowers from Castiglion Fiorentino (Sbandieratori).

A lovely, traditional weekend in Umbria, really worth taking part in.

Eurochocolate, Perugia 16-25 October 2009

Autumn is here and it's time for the huge chocolate festival in Perugia, capital of Umbria, Italy!

Eurochocolate is an amazing event with the streets of the city lined with stands selling chocolate by makers from all over Europe.

Perugia is itself home to the world famous chocolate, the "Bacio", or "kiss", a delicious praline topped with a hazelnut, coated in dark chocolate and visits to the Perugina factory are possible all year round.

The Eurochocolate festival is host to big names such as Nestlè, Toblerone, Milka, Lindt and many other smaller, individual chocolate makers. There are cookery lessons, tastings and even a Chocofarm with beauty treatments available based on cocoa and chocolate!!!

If you've never been to Umbria before, it's a great time to visit. The rich autumn colours of the trees are accentuated by the bright, sunny days and crisp evenings. Combined with a traditional time for eating truffles, funghi porcini and tasting the first pressings of olive oil, think about taking a short break before the onset of winter.

Bevagna, Mercato delle Gaite 19th - 18th June 2009

Bevagna is quite simply a tiny, beautiful medieval village in the heart of the Vale of Umbria. Not far from Assisi, Foligno and Montefalco, Bevagna has retained its central piazza almost as it was in the 1100s and has a timeless atmosphere.

Every year the clock turns back to medieval times and the cobbled streets are filled with stalls selling and making ancient traditional goods, pottery, toys etc. The locals dress up in medieval costumes and the taverns sell food based on fare of many centuries ago.

It is a real treat to visit and immerse yourself in this culture and enjoy the enthusiasm of the locals taking part.

An easy day trip away from Villa Bastiola, the apartment offers a great base for your holiday in Umbria.

Rates are from £350 during June - please email us for details at info@villabastiola.com .

Infiorata at Spello, Umbria, 13 June 2009

Spello is one of Umbria's most magical and historical hilltop towns. Roman walls and a watch tower can still be seen today and the beautiful medieval centre is fabulously preserved.

Every year the tiny town is host to the annual Infiorata (The Flowering). Artists draw pictures on the narrow cobbled streets which are then filled in with brightly coloured flower petals creating amazing images. A prize is awarded to the best design.

To see the designs at their best it is good to get there early on the Sunday morning (14th June) before the local procession to the church.

Spello is an easy drive away from the self catering apartment at Villa Bastiola and is well worth visiting especially for such an occassion.

The week starting Saturday 13th June is currently still available at only 400 Euro so please contact us at info@villabastiola.com to make a booking!

Truffle Hunting in Umbria

This weekend there was an interesting article in the Times about truffle hunting in Umbria!

Saverio is a good friend of ours and is delighted to offer guests at the apartment at Villa Bastiola the chance to hunt for truffles, a tour of the truffle farm and a delicious 7 course meal based on truffles.

Take advantage of the great rates for the apartment this year and make time to visit the truffle farm! It will be something you will talk about for ages afterwards...

In case you missed the article, click on this link to learn more:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/destinations/italy/article5670579.ece

For bookings at the apartment, please email info@villabastiola.com

Umbria in May

There are so many wonderful and interesting events taking place in Umbria in May that it makes a perfect month to consider taking your holiday.

The historic town of Assisi is host to the Calendimaggio from 7th to 9th May when the town comes alive with medieval processions, music and much more...

Gubbio, the beautiful medieval town on the slopes of the Monte Ingino holds the Festa dei Ceri on the 15th May and the Palio della Balestra on the 31st May. Both events are not to be missed and draw huge crowds! The atmosphere is fantastic and the costumes are amazing.

The apartment at Villa Bastiola is within easy driving distance of Assisi and Gubbio so it makes a perfect base for your holiday. Please contact us for availability at info@villabastiola.com.

We look forward to hearing from you!