Activities
If your idea of activity is to enjoy a
barbecue after a lazy float in the pool, you are at the right spot. There is,
however, a wide range of other activities to choose from in the surrounding
area and your Welcome Pack includes detailed information.
Outdoor Activities - We have created a “panorama stroll” in our
five acre grounds but if you are a walker and nature lover, there are longer
treks in the area you might like to try out.
Lake Trasimeno (128 square km -
the fourth largest Italian lake) is 15 minutes drive away. With its
sparkling blue water and gentle slopes covered in vine and olives,
it is known as the Umbrian Riviera and offers a variety of water-sports
including sailing and windsurfing. For the more sedate, renting a
pedallo on one of the lake’s many beaches is the best way to
explore the shoreline. A popular trip is to take one of the frequent
boats and go out to the island of Isola Maggiore, walk around in the
footsteps of St Francis of Assisi, admire the churches and chapels
and rounding the trip offwith lunch at one of the many excellent restaurants
right on the water.
Exquisite Food and Wine - At our weekly markets in Tavernelle and by the
lakeside at nearby Castiglione del Lago everything is seasonal. The furthest
import is from Sicily!
Besides fresh vegetables and local olive
oil, the most important ingredient in the cuisine of Umbria is the truffle,
be it the black or white variety. It is often grated over “umbricelli”, a
local egg-less pasta or it is cooked with crisp lamb or pork. The region is
justly famous for its wines. There is a wine route of DOC wines and the
famous Lungarotti cellars are near us. In fact the Lungarottis have
established two interesting museums in their base town of Torgiano: Museo del
Vino and Museo del Olio.
There are numerous restaurants to suit
all pockets within easy driving distance. You may choose expensive haute
cuisine at a hilltop palazzo or drop in at one of many small trattorias where
you can enjoy mamma’s memorable home cooking. For the adventurous there are
always the locandas, where you do not choose your food: the meal of six or
seven courses is compiled by the chef on seasonal grounds. The locandas take
great pride in repaying their guests’ trust – at very affordable prices.
History and Art - 20% of the world's artistic heritage can
be found within approx. 100km of Casa Fontana - Florence, Perugia, Siena,
Arezzo, Assisi, Orvieto, Gubbio, Spoleto, Chiusi, Cortona. The greater part
of Italian Renaissance art, including works by Michelangelo, Leonardo Da
Vinci, Piero della Francesca, Signorelli and Perugino are within easy reach
as well as Medieval Assisi and ancient Rome.
Music
Long summer evenings lend themselves to open air concerts. There are outdoor
classical music events throughout the summer. In addition, “Trasimeno Jazz”
is an annual feature where international names come and play in Perugia and
at venues around the lake
Local Festivals
From April to late autumn festivals are held with themes as diverse as :
-FESTIVAL OF THE TULIP
-ASPARAGUS FESTIVAL
-FISH FESTIVAL
-PALIO OF THE BOATS
-GRAPE FESTIVAL
-FESTIVAL OF THE CHESTNUT
In addition, all the towns and villages have their own special festa
once or twice a year, aiming to raise funds for a local community
project. The townspeople cook and senior schoolchildren serve. Guests
sit at long benches eating a delicious four course meal for a pittance.
Canny tourists seek out such festas as the source of a low cost meal
though, beyond the savings, they come away charmed by the ambiance.
Your Welcome Pack contains up-to-date info.
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