Hello. My name is Emma. I live near a town called Citta di Castello in the Upper Tiber Valley in Umbria. I am a dog. And I like to hunt truffles. Continue reading A (Truffle) Dog’s Life
Meet Emma, the truffle-hunter Read more
Hello. My name is Emma. I live near a town called Citta di Castello in the Upper Tiber Valley in Umbria. I ...
This morning we said our goodbyes to the group of six with whom we spent the last week sharing our Umbria. As is always the case, the goodbyes are tinged with sadness, an abrupt, forced severing of the bonds of friendship that grow so easily and strong here in this country. At least we have a new group arriving this afternoon to look forward to. Continue reading Same Old?
The same routine, but changing feelings... Read more
This morning we said our goodbyes to the group of six with whom we spent the last week sharing our Umbria. As ...
I’ve got some catching up to do. It’s not exactly ‘splainin’, just catching up.
It has been more than a week since we last posted, having taken the prior week “off” during our six week series of tours here in Italy. It was hardly a week’s vacation, though, instead a real whirlwind of travel. Planes, trains and automobiles. Continue reading Cellars Market
Exploring Italy one dish at a time Read more
I’ve got some catching up to do. It’s not exactly ‘splainin’, just catching up. It has been more than a week since we ...
My mother used to marvel over how fertile Italian soil is. She would say that everything grows here. And what’s true for the plant kingdom is doubly true in the realm of human relationships. In Italy friendships find fertile soil and grow quick and strong. Continue reading Fertile Ground
Feeding the body and the soul Read more
My mother used to marvel over how fertile Italian soil is. She would say that everything grows here. And what’s true for ...
Since we first visited Perugia nearly twenty years ago, it has been one of our favorite cities. Well, actually since we second visited it several years later did it became one of our favorite cities. Our first visit was one of those trips where you feel like shouting out “Mulligan” or “Do over” as you watch it recede in the rear view mirror. Continue reading Perugia
Since we first visited Perugia nearly twenty years ago, it has been one of our favorite cities. Well, actually since we second ...
We often talk about Cannara and our Umbrian villa as our new home. And after only a little more than four years here with every visit it really does feel like home. Yesterday was an excellent example of why. Continue reading Homemade Gelato
We often talk about Cannara and our Umbrian villa as our new home. And after only a little more than four years ...
Those of you who read this blog and our monthly newsletter Dolce Vita know that I often reminisce about Italian trips past with my parents. In fact, these stories come from just a handful of visits we made to this country together, back in the 1990s. But those memorable trips provided much to write about. Our weeklong visit to Chiusi, on the Tuscany-Umbria border in the fall of 2002 is one such story. Continue reading Echoes in the Garden
Those of you who read this blog and our monthly newsletter Dolce Vita know that I often reminisce about Italian trips past with ...
Linda Frey came to our birthday celebration last year and ended up getting more than a lousy t-shirt. Below is what our grand prize winner had to say about her week at our Umbrian villa. After reading, make sure to RSVP for Bella Italia’s 9th Birthday Bash on Facebook or by calling the store at (301) 654-2667.
(And Can't Wait To Go Back!) Read more
Linda Frey came to our birthday celebration last year and ended up getting more than a lousy t-shirt. Below is what our ...
How to beat the heat on a blistering Sunday in Umbria? How about chilling out and cooling down with our buddy Simone? That’s how we spent our Sunday. A little eating and drinking was thrown in for good measure. Continue reading Sunday with Simone
Great friends, great food Read more
How to beat the heat on a blistering Sunday in Umbria? How about chilling out and cooling down with our buddy Simone? ...
Over the past several days Suzy and Erin have been taking Italian lessons with our friend Augusta Pardi, the “poet” of the Pardi family but also a distinguished teacher who spent a number of years teaching in Toronto and other places around the world. This week and next her classroom has been la Fattoria del Gelso and her students two eager American women. I was not invited to join the class. For whatever reason or reasons. Continue reading Language Lessons
Over the past several days Suzy and Erin have been taking Italian lessons with our friend Augusta Pardi, the “poet” of the ...
Greetings once again from Umbria. Il cuore verde d’Italia. The green heart of Italy. Not doing a great deal here on this trip – we have a few guests in tow with us, but no planned itinerary, no pressing program of things we have to do, to check off, as is the case with our organized food and wine tours. Just a lazy, relaxing but thoroughly enjoyable summer visit. Continue reading Keep it Cool
Greetings once again from Umbria. Il cuore verde d’Italia. The green heart of Italy. Not doing a great deal here on this ...
