2014

Bethlehem at Passignano

How do we actually celebrate Christmas here in Umbria? Of course, with plenty of good food: traditionally with Cappelletti in brodo (meat filled pasta in hat form in a strong broth), roast lamb, Sformato di gobbo (casserole of winter carding) and for dessert Torrone, Panettone, Pandoro, mandarins and dried figs. We are lucky as we may take part in the traditional family lunch with our cook and friend Ornella. So we get tocelebrate their joyous festival at a long long table. - But in addition to good food, what else is special here in Umbria? Wolfgang has written a short story about it. You will also find a video of the living nativity scene at Passignano sul Trasimeno ...

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Lucky Beginners

A Tango holiday in Italy ! Oh, how romantic, my friends had said, when I told them about my wife's present for my birthday.

Italy, just Italy would have been okay: lots of sun, great food, nice people.

But what about the Tango classes ?  I admit I was sceptical, indeed very sceptical. Fact is: I like to dance. It is only, that I have got no talent at all ...

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Olives for the olive oil of La Rogaia. Photo: Peter von Felbert, www.felbert.de
Olives for the olive oil of La Rogaia. Photo: Peter von Felbert, www.felbert.de

About crowncut and tree-combers

This year the olive harvest at La Rogaia unfortunately was not very rich due to adverse climate conditions. Of course this is really a pity because usually the olive harvest is the highlight and the end of our harvesting season at La Rogaia, before life is slowing down once the winter arrives.

Yet what is happening in the olive orchard during the year?

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Pisano-fountain in front of the cathedral of Perugia
Pisano-fountain in front of the cathedral of Perugia. Photo: Steffen Müller

Umbria Sights - Perugia

Perugia is particularly attractive in the first half of July, when it hosts one of the most important jazz festivals in the world. But also in other times of the year Perugia is well worth a visit.

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Panorama Florenz
Panorama Florenz

Tuscany sights - Florence

On a visit to Florence, it is difficult to choose which sights are not to be missed. Of course this includes the Duomo and Baptistery, the Uffizi Gallery and the Academy with the David by Michelangelo. If you have this "checked", maybe there is still time left to see a few less well-known art treasures. Here is my personal selection, discovered for you at my last visit in Florence.

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Lake Trasimeno. Photo: Juliane Müller
Lake Trasimeno. Photo: Juliane Müller

Hiking and wellness weeks in Umbria

In May the Umbrian hills are covered with a fragrant carpet of flowers. The air is filled with the honey scent of broom flowers and all nature presents itself at its best.

The Villa La Rogaia offers hiking packages in May and July 2014

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Tango makes happy
Tango makes happy

Lucky Tango for beginners

If you have already played with the idea of learning how to dance Tango Argentino some day but never found the time and leisure in your everyday life, a "tango holiday" at La Rogaia might be THE opportunity ..

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Umbrian Girl. Photo: Steve McCurry
Umbrian Girl. Photo: Steve McCurry

Photo exhibition “SENSATIONAL UMBRIA” by world famous photographer Steve McCurry

What better means than photographs to describe a land and the journey through it. Last year Mr. McCurry chose Umbria for one of his photo travels and came up with a sensational moving and thoughtful look into Umbria's landsaceps, people and history.

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Cortona Marktplatz
Arezzo, old houses at the "Piazza Grande"

Places worth to see in Southern Tuscany

Lake Trasimeno is right at the border between Umbria and Tuscany. Therefore La Rogaia is a perfect starting point for exploring not only Umbria but also Southern Tuscany.  Small towns such as Cortona, Chiusi or Arezzo offer lots to see and of course also lots of great food and drink.

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Assisi Basilica San Francesco
Assisi Basilica San Francesco

Places worth to see in Umbria

Is Italy only pasta, pizza, sun, beaches and sea? St. Peter's Basilica, the Uffizi and the Bridge of Sighs ?

Of course not! Leave the beaten track and in Umbria you will find charming towns such as Assisi, Perugia and Citta di Castello

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