Rogaia Blog

Snow is falling on our "Decameron"

This morning we woke up to our little world covered in snow, the first in this winter and a rare thing in Umbria anyway.

It feels even more quiet and isolated than before.

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Humor is when you laugh anyway

Two days ago my mom brought us some nice photos when she had to go to Passignano to the pharmacy.

This is the church tower of San Vito, which was already used as a lighthouse for boatmen on Lake Trasimeno before the christianization.

A lighthouse is always a sign of hope in the dark and in stormy times!

How do we get through? Read on!

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"Decamerone"  by J.W.Waterhouse
"Decamerone" by J.W.Waterhouse. wikipedia.org

Life as in the "Decamerone" by Boccaccio

For more than a week we are staying in our Umbrian country house in an almost idyllic "protected area".

It feels ghostly: the everyday life (or what is left of it), the fears and the sufferings of our fellow citizens in Italy lie behind the gently rolling hills, the bees are buzzing in the spring sun and hyacinths and lime bushes exude their sweet fragrance.

This reminded us of the book "Decamerone" by Boccaccio. It describes a group of young people who flee to a country house near Florence at the time of the plague in the 14th century. They pass their time with storytelling.

And so we came up with the idea of sending stories, pictures and experiences from our Umbrian hill over the next few days (and weeks?)

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A typical Umbrian Sunday Lunch: "Coniglio del Buon Ricordo"

Last Sunday we cooked a recipe from Ornella's cooking classes:

A "Rabbit to Be Well Remembered"


Admittedly, this is not for vegetarians or lovers of the soft, fluffy little animals with long ears ...
And for the preparation you need a bit of patience and "surgical" skills.
But the result is really worth it!
Read the recipe here

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Umbrian Winter Recipes - Chickpeas and Chard

One of the specialties of Umbria are legumes: lentils, chickpeas and a variety of beans. They are used for an almost endless number of healthy and protein-rich dishes, which are part of the basic diet in Umbria. At La Rogaia we have our own, especially delicious version of a chickpea and chard soup.

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

Umbria Jazz Festival July 12 to 21, 2019

Every year in July Jazz fans from all over the world flock to Umbria to celebrate the "Umbria Jazz Festival" in the historical town center of Perugia.

Also this year the list of performers from the international jazz and pop world is impressive.

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The Peony Garden "Centro Botanico Moutan"

One of the most beautiful gardens in Italy is certainly the "Centro Botanico Moutan" near Viterbo.

A sea of peonies, a fantastic destination in May and June!

Aurora tells you more about it ...

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Photo: www.studiomoretticaselli.it

Museums in Perugia: Museo-Laboratorio di Vetrate Artistiche Moretti Caselli - The glass painting museum

On our tour to the „Hidden treasures of Perugia“ today we will take you to the outstanding museum for stained-glass works. It is not only a museum but a manufactury for painted glass run by the family Moretti-Caselli for more than five generations. The youngest glass painter in the family, the charming Maddalena Forenza, and our daughter Aurora will show you around.

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Almond blossom at La Rogaia 2019

Spring at Villa La Rogaia

The spring sun has awakened our garden from its winter slumber. There are now splashes of color everywhere.

If you are longing for the sun, use now our spring offers for your next holidays:

Up to 30% off regular price for all apartment bookings for May, July and August 2019

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Artichoke
Artichoke

Healthy food in spring: Artichokes

Power packages against spring tiredness

A few days ago, Ornella came in by in surprise. And since it was lunchtime, we decided to cook together. She got out of her car a big basket of artichokes that she had just bought at the market. "Little power packages," she said. Then we went to the preparation and a little later we had two simple, delicious dishes on the table, which we want to share with you.

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