Dreaming of Umbria’s Green Heart™

Nestled in the heart of Umbria’s rolling vineyards, silver-leafed olive trees and cypress trees, you’ll discover a cooking week filled with delicious local cuisine.  Check in to a charming accommodation that captures the essence of Umbrian beauty and comforts during your stay.  The property is set in a medieval castle and offers modern amenities while preserving the magic of antiquity. During your stay, tie on your apron with our Chef who will take you on an unforgettable cooking experience where you will prepare traditional Umbrian cuisine paired with local wine.

Learn the art of cooking traditional Umbrian antipasti such as crostini di Norcia, toasted country bread garnished with local prosciutto, creamy stracchino cheese with a drizzle of fragrant Umbrian olive oil. Mix and roll your ingredients into delicate umbricelli pasta, a delightful Umbrian specialty resembling spaghetti. Discover artisan pecorino cheese, earthy truffles hunted in the wooded hills and the local lentils – which Umbria is so famous for. Learn how to prepare traditional desserts such as torta al testo, a rustic flatbread stuffed with a sweet fruit fillings, and cooked on a special griddle called a testo.  The result is a warm and comforting treat that encapsulates the essence of Umbrian home-cooking. Pair your culinary creations with local Sagrantino wine renowned for its deep ruby color and bold character. Sip, swirl, and taste as you savor the flavors of this vibrant region that has inspired artists and poets for centuries.

Umbria

Situated in the center of the Italy, the region of Umbria is called the green heart with rolling green fields and tall slim cypress trees.  Travel through Umbria and you’ll be enchanted by the dazzling views of centuries-old villages perched atop rolling hillsides. You will discover delicious trattorias, artisans and wine makers who have preserved their Old World craft. You’ll taste wine and extra virgin olive made my farmers with caring hands. From Perugia and Assisi to the smaller towns of Terni, Todi and Montefalco, Umbria has a deep history filled with art, culture and natural reserves.  Modern day Umbria brings music lovers the Umbria Jazz Festival (in July), and Eurochocolate (in October).

Assisi

Step back into time in the small town of Assisi, the birthplace of Saint Francis of Assisi.  Saint Francis, a peace-making pioneer was the founder of the Franciscan order and one of the most popular saints in history.  Visit the13^th-century Basilica di San Francesco, adorned with frescos painted by a young Giotto where he depicts the life of Saint Francis. Visit the crypt of Saint Francis, walk through the outside halls and soak up the spirit of this peaceful site. Assisi is also home to Rocca Maggiore, a medieval fortress, and the Basilica di Santa Chiara.

Perugia

Perugia, Umbria’s capital, is a modern city and still holds on to its ancient past. Known for its famous chocolates, Baci, the chocolate confection inspired by the original recipe of Luisa Spagnoli, Perugia is dazzles. Discover the 14th-century University of Perugia, one of Italy’s oldest and most well respected educational institutions.  Take in the ancient architecture and  caffès that bustle with life from early in the morning to the late hours of the night. Stroll the town’s main piazza, Piazza IV Novembre, which is surrounded by ancients buildings, then continue to Fontana Maggiore, a beautiful medieval fountain that was built in the 12th Century.  For art enthusiasts, visit the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria brimming with art created by local artists.  Pergugia’s Cattedrale di San Lorenzo, a gothic cathedral, is also worth a visit.  Perugia is a beautiful Umbrian city filled with landmarks, caffès and trattorias; sip an aperitivo – a Prosecco, spritz or vino bianco – and watch the world go by.

Spoleto

Spoleto is often called the crown jewel of Umbria.  It’s a quaint village known for its hearty cuisine, artisan traditions, viniculture and quiet charming atmosphere. The town dates back to 241 BC and has endured becoming the royal residence of the Duke of Longboard in the 6^th century. Moving forward and throughout the years, it has become an elegant town with a quiet feel dotted with pretty artisan shops and restaurants that serve black truffle and red wine from Montefalco.  Spend a quiet afternoon meandering its cobblestone pathways or tuck into a local trattoria and savor the culinary delights of farm-to-table cuisine and good red wine.

Lake Trasimeno

Discover Lake Trasimeno, set between Umbria and Tuscany, and surrounded by rolling hills, olive trees, and vineyards.  Visit the medieval Passignano sul Trasimeno, with small harbor where boats to Isola Maggiore depart from. There is Tuoro, dating as far back as 217 BC, where Hannibal inflicted to the Romans one of the most tragic defeats; Monte del Lago, Torricella, San Feliciano, Castiglione del Lago and Borghetto.  Dreamy islands include: Isola Polvese, Isola Maggiore, and Minore.  Bring a picnic lunch or dine at any one of the charming trattorias on its shoreline.

Umbria’s Green Heart Accommodation

Click for Property Photo Gallery

Itinerary: 4 Nights, 5 Days

Day 1: Arrival & Chef’s Welcome Dinner

• Transfer from from the Perugia train station.
• Arrival and check in at the property.
• Relax and enjoy a welcome aperitivo on the property’s panoramic terrace with a lovely view of the Spoleto’s Valley.
• In the evening, enjoy your Welcome Dinner featuring a Chef’s Tasting Menu with local fare. Wine is not included.

Day 2: Spa Treatment & Cooking Class 1

• Breakfast is served on buffet.
• Following breakfast, check into the spa and immerse yourself in a professional relaxing treatment. Enjoy a tea in the relax zone and unwind.
• In the afternoon, it’s aprons on for your first hands-on cooking class! Our chef will lead you in preparing traditional Umbrian cuisine creating a full menu.  Learn how to make for example, arvortolo, a traditional Perugia flash-fried pizza, or strangozzi pasta, a hand-made pasta served with black truffle or a fresh tomato-based sauce. Next, there’s country porchetta, a slow roasted stuffed pork served with seasonal vegetables and herbs.  Our chef is also well-prepared with vegetarian menus and will cater to all food allergies. Dessert follows where you will prepare local seasonal confections including torcolo di San Costanzo.
• Following the cooking class, everyone enjoys the food prepared in the class with a toast of wine included.

Day 3: Excursions to Perugia, Assisi, Spoleto or Lake Trasimeno & Wine Tour Tasting

• Breakfast is served.
• Following breakfast, meet your  driver and English-speaking guide and discover one of the Umbrian towns for your excursion:  Perugia, Assisi, Spoleto or Lake Trasimeno.  Visit and tour with our guide.
• Lunch is on your own with suggestions provided.

• Following the tour, return to the property and experience an Umbrian winery. Discover, sip and swirl local wine.
• In the evening, dinner is on your own and suggestions are provided.  You may also dine in at the villa’s restaurant.

Day 4: Cooking Class 2 & Wellness Treatment

• Breakfast is served.
• Following breakfast, relax and experience wellness in the professional spa.
• Lunch is on your own and suggestions are provided.
• Later in the afternoon, tie on your aprons for cooking class 2! You will delve into traditional Umbrian cuisine using the farm-to-table ingredients from Lake Trasimeno. Slice and dice prized Cannara onions, prepare antipasti including crisp cannara, onion pizza.  You will mix and roll out handmade pasta topped with Trevi black celery or pasta alla Norcina – a traditional favorite. For dessert, learn how to make and bake tozzetti, almond and hazelnut cookies dipped in Vin Santo, blessed wine.
• Following the cooking class, everyone enjoys the food prepared in the class with a toast of wine included.

Day 5: Check out & Arrivederci

• Breakfast is served.
• Check out and transfer to Perugia train station.
• Arrivederci!