Rogaia Blog

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 ...

Read more …

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.

Read more …

Ornella, the cook with a heart
Ornella, the cook with a heart

Ornella, our Christmas Angel

We are often asked what it is like at La Rogaia in winter, and how Christmas is celebrated here.

During a summer vacation with 35° Celsius in the shadow understandably it is difficult to imagine what the joys of winter and Christmas in Umbria look like.

So here's a glimpse at our Umbrian Christmas ...

Read more …

A winter sunday walk near Città di Castello
A winter sunday walk near Città di Castello

The first snow in Valtiberina, Umbria Tuscany

On Friday November 20 we took the last load of olives to the oil mill and got our delicious, deep green, new olive oil. The mild November wheather has blessed the olive pickers with days full of sunshine. Of course it is much more fun to pick olives or to take a rest on the mint scented meadows under the trees when the sun is shining. But already a day later the winter came to Umbria ...

Read more …

Stonecarving is fun !
Stonecarving is fun !

Stonecarving and Dolce Vita

Doing something creative in your holidays and taking home a selfmade piece of art - that would be it! But of course the whole thing should not turn out to be work.  After all, you're on your well-deserved vacation.
At La Rogaia you can combine perfectly both creativity and enjoyable recreation. During the course "Sculpting and Dolce Vita in Umbria" with the artist Wolfgang Sandt you will get individual guidance and support for your artistic project. You will stay in one of our stylish apartments and can enjoy our lovely garden with pool. And you will be spoilt ... with delicious homemade food and in top-restaurants in our area. You do not have to worry about anything and can concentrate fully on your creative work!

Read more …

Zucchini and egg plant fresh from the grill, decorated with sweet ripe Pachino tomatoes and seasoned with extra virgin olive oil. Simple recipe, fantastic taste!
Zucchini and egg plant fresh from the grill, decorated with sweet ripe Pachino tomatoes and seasoned with extra virgin olive oil. Simple recipe, fantastic taste!

NEW! Culinary weeks 2016

Tuscany and Umbria are famous for their culinary treasures: truffles, salami and prosciutto, legumes and the famous olive oil. Of course you can try to find all these hidden treasures on your own. But wouldn ’t it be much easier if someone helps you, takes you by the hand and shows you places the average tourist hardly ever will find?
Have a look at our new "Full immersion culinary weeks" in spring and fall 2016!

 

Read more …

Osteria "Rosso di Sera", San Feliciano Magione. Foto: www.osteriarossodisera.net
Osteria "Rosso di Sera", San Feliciano Magione. Foto: www.osteriarossodisera.net

Recommended Restaurants at Lake Trasimeno

Especially in summer Lake Trasimeno is a popular destination. Accordingly, there is an abundance of restaurants, some better, some worse. In order that you will not be fobbed off with bad food in "tourist traps", here are our recommendations for the best restaurants in the towns around Lake Trasimeno.

 

Read more …

Paolo Conte at Umbria Jazz Festival 2015
Paolo Conte at Umbria Jazz Festival 2015. Photo: www.umbriajazz.com

Paolo Conte live at Umbria Jazz 2015

Last Friday we went to the live concert of one of the greatest chansonniers in Italy: Paolo Conte. With his 78 years he is a living legend: an unconfoundable warm smoky voice, poetic lyrics and sophisticated arrangements. He surely is one of our favorite musicians. Plus a warm Italian summer night, the skyline of Perugia, a cool beer  ... what more could you want!

Read more …

"Festa dei Barbari" in Castel Rigone
"Festa dei Barbari" in Castel Rigone

Events at Lake Trasimeno in July 2015

The second half of July is rich in events in Passignano sul Trasimeno.

First the "Palio dell Barche", the traditional boat race on Lake Trasimeno. It is celebrated with lots of food music and historical races for a whole week. Then at the end of July the "Festa dei Barbari" in our village Castel Rigone, a wild spectacle that leads back to the time of the Goths. And the "Trasimeno Blues Festival" with great concerts every night in Passignano and in other villages around the lake.

Read more …

Messaggi d'amore, Wolfgang Sandt, La Rogaia
Messaggi d'amore, Wolfgang Sandt, La Rogaia

Sculpture garden La Rogaia, Umbria

Wolfgang Sandt, German sculptor with a second home in Umbria, has designed the surroundings of Villa La Rogaia into a sculpture garden. Spread over an area of several acres, visitors can go on a discovery tour: sometimes the sculptures will fall straight into the eye, sometimes they are hidden in niches or they are almost covered by plants. The sculptures always enter into a dialogue with the environment. They draw the viewer's eye towards a dreamy angle or a special tree. Or they invite the spectator to enjoy the view over the wide Umbrian hills.

Read more …