Rogaia Blog

The high plain of Castelluccio, Umbria. Photo: Steffen Müller
The high plain of Castelluccio, Umbria. Photo: Steffen Müller

Castelluccio and the Piano Grande

One of the most magical places in Umbria is the Piano Grande, the tableland of Castelluccio. After driving up the winding and steep road from Norcia suddenly a breathtaking panorama opens up: a plain like a green lake, surrounded by high mountains. And in the early summer the "lake" colors itself in all the shadows of the rainbow, as if touched by a magical hand ...
The area around Castelluccio and Norcia has been terribly affected by the earthquakes in 2016 but reconstruction is in progress to make one of the most beautiful areas of Umbria accessible again for tourists by early summer 2017.

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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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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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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 ...

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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 ...

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