UMBRIA, ITALY
Umbria, located in central Italy and bordered by Tuscany to the west, Marche to the east, and Lazio to the south, boasts beautiful landscapes and is rich in Medieval history and artistic legacy. It still has the remains of Etruscan settlements, particularly around Castiglione del Lago. Umbria is characterized by green hills and historical towns such as Assisi, Norcia, Gubbio, Spoleto, Spello, Panicale, Citta dela Pieve, Todi, Orvieto, and Perugia, and features natural wonders like Cascata delle Marmore waterfalls near Terni and Lake Trasimeno, central Italy’s largest lake. The charm of Umbria derives from its fusion of art, nature, and tranquility.
Umbria is called “the green heart of Italy” for a reason. It is incredibly fertile but its agriculture is still mostly small-scale, with olives, grapes, and grain grown by families that have worked their land for generations. They have unparalleled respect for nature and a personal stake in everything they produce.
The produce and wines from Umbria are also made special by the personal touch that is put into them. Umbrian food and wine producers have respect for tradition and preserving the personal. They always imbue their products with personality, terroir, and soul. Umbrians are content with producing great products that remain authentic and true to their origin. They have no interest in cornering the market with quantity at the expense of quality. You can taste that authenticity in Umbrian food products, wine, and especially in regional cooking.
WINE & OLIVE OIL
Enoteca in Umbertide- Ezio Bani is our favourite wine supplier and does home deliveries. He also does wine tasting at the property. phone email or visit the shop (map)
Chiesa del Carmine - 10-minute drive, book your wine and olive oil tasting.
Viandante del Cielo - 30 minutes drive, George Lucas’s - Skywalker vineyards.
Cantina Berioli - a 20-minute drive from the house, booking recommended
Cantina Bocale - Located in Montefalco, ideally combine this visit with a trip to Assisi and Spello.
Cantina La Veneranda - Located in Montefalco
La Strada del Sagrantino – A comprehensive site related to anything that involves Sagrantino wine production and the area where it is produced. Includes itineraries, lists of wineries, tour information, a list of places to dine & buy olive oil, as well as cantinas to visit to sample Sagrantino wines.
Strada del Vini Etrusco Romana in Umbria – A journey through the wine region around Orvieto with a list of wineries to visit and dining options.
Strada Del Vino Colli Dell Trasimeno – A site dedicated to the wines grown region around Lake Trasimeno.
Strada dell’Olio DOP Umbria – If you are interested in learning more about Umbrian Olive oil, this is a great place to start. The site lists the various frantoi (olive mills) in Umbria, as well as suggested itineraries and dining options.
Strada dei Vini Cantico – The Association “Strada dei Vini del Cantico” was instituted in 2002 to offer the historical, cultural, environmental, economic, and social identity of the participating townships which include Assisi, Bettona, Cannara, Collazzone, Marsciano, Massa Martana, Perugia, Spello, Todi, and Torgiano. Learn more about these lesser-known wine areas of Umbria.
RESTAURANTS
The delicacies of Umbria—extra virgin olive oil, black and white truffles, spaghetti, porchetta alla Perugina (suckling pig), carne ai capperi e acciughe (veal with caper and herb sauce) and good-quality local sausages, salami, and prosciutto—are famous throughout Italy. Local ingredients used in Umbrian cooking include pork and beef, cheeses, lentils from the Valerina, fish from Lake Trasimeno and the River Nera, mushrooms, and potatoes from Colfiorito, and the Umbrian favorite colombaccio (wood pigeon). The list of restaurants below offers a variety of authentic Umbrian dining experiences.
La Boiola, 2km away, Antognolla Castle; phone; (pizzas served Thursdays to Sundays, evenings only) . Our guests are entitled to a 10% discount.
Chiesa del Carmine - 10-minute drive, lunch only, also wine tasting phone (see map)
Il Caldaro, 15 minutes drive in La Bruna, web phone (see map)
San Giorgio, 15 minutes drive in Umbertide main square, phone
Ristorante Il Giurista, Via Bartolo 30, Perugia centro; phone (see map)
Pizza Mediterranea, Piazza Piccinino 11/12, Perugia centro. phone (see map)
Pasticceria Sandri, Corso Vannucci 32, Perugia, opened in 1860 (see map)
Ristorante del Sole, Via Della Rupe 1, Perugia, phone (see map) breathtaking views of Perugia
Locanda di Nonna Gelsa, Umbertide. web phone (see map)
Taverna del Lupo, Gubio. phone (see map)
Il Convento, Corciano. phone (see map)
La Locanda del Capitano, Montone. phone; (see map)
Buca di San Francesco in Arezzo; phone; email. (see map)
Trattoria Il Saraceno, Arezzo. (see map)
La Bucaccia, Cortona (see map)
Il Preludio, Cortona; phone (see map)
Il Capanno, near Spoleto, Localita Torrecola, phone
L’Opera Restaurant (excellent fish), Torricela. phone (see map)
Coro Ristorante (fine dining) , Orvieto, phone, email, (see map)
Cooking classes, Wine & Olive tasting at home.
SPORTS AND LEISURE
Golf, the 18-hole Antognolla championship golf course, designed by Robert Trent Jones in 2000, is just the other side of the hill.
The Circolo Tennis of Umbertide is only 20 minutes away, including 4 open tennis courts and another 2 climatized. phone. (see map)
Cycle around Lake Trasimeno on Rental, Ebike, MTB or Hybrid; web; phone, (see map) There are over 30 circuits in Umbria that suit any demanding sportsman.
Lake Trasimeno: Water sports web, phone (see map)
Motorboats for rent: web, phone, (see map)
Horse riding at H Ranch web, phone email (see map)
Speleology in the Frasassi’s caves. web (see map)
Hiking to the summit of Monte Acuto and Tomba del Fagetto, a c3rd-1st Century BC tomb.
Olive Picking during October/November
SHOPPING
Umbria is the centre of the Italian cashmere industry, nearly 500 knitwear companies populate the “Cashmere Valley” around or near Lake Trasimeno, most notably Brunello Cucinelli in Solomeo (see map). We have two small factory outlets near the house Idalgo (see map) and Rocco Ragni (see map)
Other outlets include Lamberto Losani (see map) , Panicale Cashmere (see map) or near Montefalco, Fabiana Filippi (see map)
What our guests are saying…
The house is beautiful, charming, authentic, spacious, and has spectacular views from all rooms. The property offers such divine areas to sit or lay and take in the Umbrian colors and panorama. You must see the view to believe it! - Adelaida P.
We had a wonderful week at Casals degli Olivi. I couldn’t have chosen a better place to celebrate my 50th birthday with 10 of our best friends. The villa is beautiful and well-equipped. And the views are stunning. Rolando was an amazing host. - Smruti P.
We enjoyed 2 wonderful family weeks in this charming farmhouse with its tranquil, relaxing setting in May. Beautiful countryside with stunning views all around. Very helpful and friendly owner, the house is generously well equipped. - Brigitte L.