2010 HAPPY COOKING CALENDAR

WHAT YOU CAN DO DURING THE SEASONS:

HAPPY COOKING "THE COLOURS OF THE SEASONS"

WINTER: white, yellow, red, brown
Visit and admire the astonishing architectures of Umbria, taste the black truffle in Norcia, enjoy the quiet life of Umbrian hamlets, visit museums and underground towns terasures. Warm up in my kitchen, sipping teas, hot chocolate, cooking wonderful soups, flans, cakes, "frittelle" and many other delicacies ...

SPRING: light green, pink, yellow, purple, white
A good time to walk, enjoy the mild sun, hunt for wild asparagus, wild herbs, learn about cooking with herbs, eggs, fresh cheese, refreshing salads. Cook the "Easter cheese cake". Be part of our Easter-Spring time, explotion of vitality and new energy.

SUMMER: yellow, red, green
Pick up many gifts from my garden. Learn how to organize a reach meal without using the stove, cooking with fruits, making gelato, fresh pasta, the best dishes of Mediterranean tradition ... and more Summer surprises ....

FALL: orange, brown, dark green, yellow, purple
Time of chestnuts, mushrooms, risotto or polenta, warm and energetic meals to be ready for the coming cold days. Time for tasting "vino and chestnuts" "bruschetta e olio nuovo"! Walking down the "vicoli", the narrow roads, you feel the good smell of wood burning from woodstoves or fireplaces ...

EXPERIENCE-ACTIVE HOLIDAYS ALL YEAR LONG:

Match touring activities and cooking.
The visits and activities are organized by a licensed tour guide. You can customise your cooking days with some touring, according to the following proposals:

1. RURAL LIFE
Half day with guide:
    - We visit the Rural Museum in Corciano to understand the rural life, a tradition 500 years long
    - The olive oil tradition of the area: visit of an oil mill and guided oil tasting
    - A walk to visit a sheep dairy, the cheese making, talk to the shepherd, cheese tasting
    - A walk in the land and delicious of Della Corgna Family
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Where to stay:     Agriturismo "Borgobello"        Appartamento "Casalagovista"

2. WALKS
"Walking is sometimes a dissolving of the soul into a small space, for a little time, living a micro-adventure. Then, you come back home with a story to tell ..." F. Cassano

About walking and slow tourism: We wish to improve walking, as the most true style of slow touring, the best choice to get a deep look into a culture.

Half day with guide:
    - We follow "the Path of the Springs"- stop for a "Perugia country style brunch"
    - Archeowalks to an Etruscan tomb
    - Walk to Monte Tezio Natural Area
    - Urban Trekking along Medieval Perugia, tasting local delicacies ...
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Where to stay:     Agriturismo "Borgobello"        Residence Le Naiadi

Half day with guide:
    - The land of bandits
    - Abbeys in the country
    - A visit to a Watching Tower between past and present
    - Urban Trekking along Medieval Perugia, tasting local delicacies ...
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Where to stay:     Agriturismo "Ai Lecci"

3. ACTIVE HOLIDAYS IN THE HEART OF SIBILLINI NATIONAL PARK
Day activities with guide:
    - Biking the Old Railway Spoleto-Norcia
    - Trekking in Val Castoriana
    - Visit Norcia and Castelluccio
    - A tour along the Sagrantino Wine Road
    - How to be a "Norcino" (Prosciutto-maker) for a day
      note

Where to stay:    Agriturismo "Fonte Antica"

4. TOURING AND COOKING AT VILLA RENTALS

    - Day tours with guide to the major towns in Umbria, Tuscany, including Florence, Lucca, Siena and Marche with Urbino
    - Special dinners and/or cooking lessons at the rental

Where to stay:     Villa Tre Archi        Le Mandorelle

EXPERIENCE HOLIDAY

DINNER WITH ITALIANS intercultural dinner with Italians (my family or other Italian families) eat good food, on season, share your culture, learn a different lifestyle.
Reservations deadline: 3 days in advance.
Price euro 45,00 p.p. min. 4 people

RURAL TOURS a special experience to get in touch with Umbrian farmers, know the expereince of the old way of farming and feel wellcome to share a rustic lunch.

LENTILS AND FARRO HARVEST We visit the fields on harvest, the farm have samples, a brunch or picnic lunch with typical products. Visit a shepherd and watch a pecorino cheese making.
July - Mid August

SAFFRON early morning we can assist saffron picking, have samples, visit a farm, have a picnic lunch in a gorgeous mountain area.
October

TRUFFLE HUNTING with expert and special dogs:
May - June - July - August : black truffle
September to December: white truffle.

VINTAGE Tour the vineyard, wine tasting.
September

OLIVE HARVESTING activity in the farm, visit an oil mill, tasting.
October to December