A Genuine Umbrian Cooking Experience...With Chef Michael Schwartz

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This is an exciting opportunity to participate into a week’s worth of culinary workshops, wine classes, tastings and full on immersion in all tasty things Umbrian.

We’ve all heard the term working vacation and maybe even "heaven on earth", well here are them both combined for your absolute indulgence in all things delicious. Perhaps this spring, you can grab a friend, cos why keep this one to yourself? Hop to Italy on a gastronomic treat for body and soul!

Miami's James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Schwartz will present just such a week in Umbria, cooking, teaching and feasting on the finest ingredients prepared the genuine way - fresh, simple and pure. Escorted market trips, yoga classes and poolside massages are just some of the treats in store.

Caimeli will be the refuge for your culinary, yoga, and relaxing vacation. It is a 40-acre former tobacco farm and now olive plantation, situated in the Umbrian Mountains amidst stellar blue skies and lush greenery. As you immerse yourself in the dolce vita, enjoy guided trips to the neighboring village markets, vineyards for tastings and a pottery school to make your very own plate, pot or whatever you fancy.

Your week’s itinerary will include daily homemade breakfasts and 2hr workshops on wine, cheeses as well as cooking classes of around 10-12 fellow guests from around the globe. Chef Schwartz will show you how to prepare food from the region and his best selling cookbook, Michaels Genuine Food "down to earth cooking, for people who love to eat" using Caimeli's locally produced olive oil and its own garden vegetables, with well sourced fish and regional meats.

Both, the main villa and the Casale have wonderful views of the olive groves and the unspoiled serene valley. This genuine experience takes place in Umbertide from April 15th to the 22nd of 2012 and requires advance booking and payment. You can request information on flights in and out of Rome or Florence and transportation to and from Caimeli is included.

To inquire about Genuine Umbria, including full itinerary, amenities offered in each package, or to secure your spot now, please contact Caimeli's USA representative Nikki Mallon at nikkimallon@mac.com , and for a quick preview on the full package click here www.theinternationalkitchen.com.

Epiphany in Umbria

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First of all Happy New Year to all readers of Travel Umbria! Hoping that 2012 will be a great year for all, let's start with an event in January, one that closes the Christmas period and celebrates one of the most famous "old ladies" in the world, the Befana.

I am talking about Epiphany, which in Umbria is a very important local tradition event. Epiphany is celebrated in all corners of the region, from small village to large cities; Here is offered a brief review of the events tied to Epiphany in Umbria in 2012.

Epiphany on Trasimeno Lake
Let's start with Lake Trasimeno that for Christmas 2011 hosted the event "Christmas Island" set in the picturesque scenery of the Polvese island. The event began on December 17 and closes its doors on January 6 with the Epiphany celebrations.
During Epiphany day the calendar of events ranges from Circobus to the concert of the Philharmonic Society of Mugnano, finishing in style with fireworks over the lake. During the day you can visit the Nativity scene of the area and taste the typical products of craft markets and receive gifts directly from the Befana!

Epiphany in Assisi
In Assisi, more precisely in Rivotorto of Assisi on January 6 all visitors are invited to turn their eyes to the sky. They will assist to the descent of the Epiphany. The nice old woman will be equipped with a paraglider, and after launching from Mount Subasio she will land in Rivotorto to bring gifts to children. The event is called "La Befana comes down from heaven".
The day will be scheduled following this program:
from 8 am to 8 pm - Exhibition of the Epiphany in the streets of the village with tasting of typical products
3 pm - descent of the Befana with gifts for all children;
5 pm - Catholic Mass

Epiphany in Valnerina
Celebrations of Epiphany in Valnerina binds to the so-called "Pasquarelle". The term indicates the typical Easter songs, that the tradition relates to the Annunciation to the peoples of the Child Jesus by the Wise Kings.
The night between January 5th and 6th, pasquarellanti (or pasquarellari depending on the area) begin their journey along the streets of town, knocking on house doors to announce the Epiphany through folk songs (the so-called Pasquarelle) newly composed every year in occasion of the event; pasquarellanti are then thanked by families with good wishes, greetings and gifts that consist of foods, sweets and sometimes money.

The tradition of Pasquarelle on January 6 is held at:
Norcia: one of the most exciting events in the area with the participation of children and adults;
Scheggino: Some young Scheggino goes through the streets of the village on a cart pulled by a donkey singing the "Pasquarelle" along various musical instruments;
Cerreto di Spoleto;
Vallo di Nera;
Preci.

In addition to the tradition of the Valnerina Pasquarelle Epiphany greets 2012 with the appointment "Befana comes from the River" held on January 6 at 5 pm at the Canoe Center of Arrone.
The event is organized with the participation of local paddlers of kayaks and canoes that will accompany the Befana along the River Nera up to Arrone. There she will distribute stockings filled with gifts for children.