2016

Mamma Ornella. Photo: Lupo
Mamma Ornella. Photo: Lupo

Ornella's "Roast Porc in Five Minutes"

Would you rather not spend the entire Christmas morning in the kitchen? Would you rather stay comfortably in bed for a bit longer instead? For "lazy housewives" Ornella has an incredibly simple pork roast recipe that makes a delicious Christmas lunch.

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Olive harvest at La Rogaia. Photo: Peter von Felbert, www.felbert.de
Olive harvest at La Rogaia. Photo: Peter von Felbert, www.felbert.de

Olive Oil - from the Tree into the Bottle

Olive oil is the "liquid gold" of Umbria, a high-quality and healthy food, that should not be missing in any kitchen. The olive harvest begins in mid October. Everywhere the nets get spread out under the trees. The pickers pick the olives from the trees by hand or with shaking sticks, then the olives they are taken to the oil mill. Read here how the olives finally become olive oil.

 

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Riding on a steam train at Lake Trasimeno
Riding on a steam train at Lake Trasimeno

Riding on a steam train at Lake Trasimeno

A very special experience: Going on a historic steam train from Perugia to Terontola, along the Trasimeno lake. The 150 th anniversary of the Terontola-Foligno railway line was celebrated on November 6, 2016 with an extraordinary train journey - and we were on board.

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Italian Food, what makes the difference?

Italian cuisine is considered to be one of the best in the world, but what is it that makes it so special? We will reveal to you some of the secrets ...

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Street scene in Tuscany© Foto: René van Bakel/ASAblanca.com
Street scene in Tuscany© Foto: René van Bakel/ASAblanca.com

Photo Workshop "Visual Storytelling"

There are thousands of photos of Tuscany.

Most of them show the typical "Cypress on a Hill", in all shades of colour, on calendar sheets, or on advertisments for pasta, olive oil or hand creams.

So far for the cliché of Tuscany.

But there is another possibility: You can tell the real story of a landscape and its culture and lifestyle, beyond all clichés.

Join us for the next photography workshop with René van Bakel from May 6 to 13, 2017.

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View from La Rogaia towards Monte Amiata
View from La Rogaia towards Monte Amiata

"Monte Amiata"

One of the most spectacular views to be enjoyed from La Rogaia is the view of Monte Amiata. It is an extinct volcano, 5,702 feet high and the second highest mountain of Tuscany.
A trip to Monte Amiata is worth in every season. It is a 2 hours drive from La Rogaia almost to the top of the mountain. Only the last few hundred meters have to be climbed by foot.
A trip to Monte Amiata is particularly attractive in midsummer. On the mountain heights one can escape the summer heat.

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Umbria Jazz Festival. Photo: Steve McCurry
Umbria Jazz Festival. Photo: Steve McCurry

Umbria Jazz Festival at Perugia

Every year in July jazz lovers from around the world come to the Umbrian capital, to celebrate one of the most important jazz festivals in the world, set in the magnificent scenery of the historical town centre of Perugia. This year's programme features a number of giants of jazz and pop.

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Historical celebration at Cortona
Historical celebration at Cortona

Seven Good Reasons for Holidays at Villa La Rogaia in Umbria

Do you want to know why you should come to Umbria for your next holidays ?

Holidays at Villa La Rogaia are exactly right for you, if ...

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Where the foxes say good night to the cats

For more than a year a family of foxes is living on our property. First we noticed a shy vixen who came close to the house in the search for something edible. Soon she discovered some leftovers of the cat food, and after a while she even came to terms with our cats. Last spring she was getting bigger and rounder, and as we should find out soon it was not only because of the good meals ...

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Freshly grated Pecorino cheese over the  "Maccheroncini al Ragù Toscano della Nonna" is a must at "Locanda al Pozzo Antico" in Cortona, Tuscany
Freshly grated Pecorino cheese over the "Maccheroncini al Ragù Toscano della Nonna" is a must at "Locanda al Pozzo Antico" in Cortona, Tuscany

Recommended Restaurants in Southern Tuscany

Hearing of the Italian region of "Tuscany" one immediately thinks of feasting with good food and wine: Bruschetta appetizers and Chianti wine, Acquacotta soup and wild boar ham, Cantucci cookies and Vin Santo. When travelling in Tuscany you can be pretty sure to get something delicious to eat whereever you go. However, there are differences, and the best places to eat are often hidden. And they are not necessarily where most the most tourists go.
In the last 15 years many a trip with guests or with the family  has led us to  neighboring Southern TuscanySo we do not want to withhold our tastiest culinary discoveries.

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