Highlights in this Issue

Did you know...
It's now possible

At Our Table
Fast food that's good for you?

Q & A
Between the lines

Upcoming Events
in Umbria

Raffaello - La Mostra Impossibile - Todi - April 16 - August 28, 2011
more info
38 works have been digitally reproduced in Palazzo del Vignola, including important frescoes and paintings from museums and international collections
www.raffaelloatodi.it

Fierabella - Todi - May 7 - 8 and June 11 - 12, 2011
more info
Annual antique market in centro storico, furniture, books, stamps, ceramics and jewelry, bric-a-brac
www.osteriamuseo.it

Il Mercato delle Gaite - Bevagna - June 2011
more info
Step back to medieval times in Bevagna! Ancient costumes, glass blowers, ironmongers, crafts and medieval dining outdoors - this is not a display it is a transformation of the town, not to be missed.
www.ilmercatodellegaite.it

Todi Tango Festival - Todi - June 1 - 5, 2011
more info
Watch the dance while enjoying an aperitivo in the piazza. Various events
www.toditangofestival.com

ARCHEOFLORA III, Castel di Fiori - Montegabbione - June 5, 2011
more info
The streets of this beautiful village will be lined with plants and flowers from 09:00 - sunset
www.casteldifiori.org

Hot Air Balloon Festival - Todi - July 10 -24, 2011
more info
Over 40 balloons will take flight each morning, book a ride or enjoy this spectacular from a strategic lookout. Don't miss July 15 at sunset as the balloons rise from the main piazza!
send mail to: todigranprix@tiscalinet.it

Umbria Jazz Festival - Perugia - July 8 - 17, 2011
more info
Major stadium concerts as well as theatre and restaurant venues throughout Perugia
www.umbriajazz.com

Trasimeno Blues - Lago Trasimeno - July 21 - 31, 2011
more info
Live blues at venues around the beautiful Lake Trasimeno
www.trasimenoblues.it

Todi Arte Festival - Todi - August 28 - September 4, 2011
more info
Light music and classical concerts, plays, dance and cabaret throughout the city
www.todiartefestival.com

AbOvo Gallery - Todi - 2011

more info
A unique collection of fine jewelry, sculpture, ceramics - works of design and applied arts created by internationally acclaimed artists
www.abovogallery.com

Useful Websites

Agostini Car Rental - Todi

more info
Full service car rental and airport pick up based in Todi. The Agostini family does everything to make your driving experience in Umbria worry free.
www.agostiniautonoleggio.com

International Travel News - Italy's Umbria
more info
Discovering 'La Dolce Vita' in Italy's Umbria Region by Inga Aksamit Thank you Inga for documenting your experience for all to enjoy!

Art Itineraries - Audio Guides of major sites in Italy and beyond
more info
A selection of quality audio guides available in various downloadable formats
www.artineraries.com

Paolo Caschera Beauty and Wellness Spa
more info
Set in the beautiful Castello di Montignano near Todi. Visit the website for a complete list of treatments and facilities.
www.paolocaschera.com

Anglo Info - Umbria
more info
An English language site includes news local markets and events which can be searched by day.
http://umbria.angloinfo.com

Vespas in Umbria
more info
Vespa rentals and organized tours on Vespas. Quality equipment and guides.
www.umbriainvespa.com

La Palazzetta del Vescovo Relais - Todi

more info
Exquisitely restored country house with spectacular views over the Tiber Valley features 9 luxuriously appointed guest rooms, infinity pool. Gracious hosts, Paola and Stefano, welcome you.
www.lapalazzettadelvescovo.com

Online Conversion
more info
A user friendly site for converting most measurements to metric. Also volume to weight measurements for cooking.
www.onlineconversion.com

Umbria Online
more info
Great site, offering lots of information about Umbria - current events, regional attractions etc. www.umbriaonline.com

A Few Words in Italian

asino - donkey, jackass
acquedotto - aqueduct
lupo - wolf
pecorino - cheese from sheep milk
vietato - forbidden, prohibited
io c'ero - I was there

Photo Gallery

Fava spread with wine

Enjoying Belvedere

Buongiorno!

I wish to thank everyone that participated in 'Celebrate With Us' by submitting questions and feedback for our newsletter. For this edition, we chose Kate's question about parking regulations as everyone visiting Italy will find this a worthwhile read. Kate, you will soon receive your 3 bottles of Le Mandorelle Extra Virgin Olive Oil as our special thank you!

I've had the pleasure of sourcing another Spa facility in the area, Paolo Caschera Beauty and Wellness Spa. It's a short hop in the car and offers a good range of services; you'll find their English language website on the sidebar.

Speaking of hopping, one very special Sunday morning in April, the keen eyes of our young guests spotted the Easter Bunny. We just caught him on film before he hopped away!

Umbria has been hopping in many ways this spring. Last night we enjoyed an evening of dinner and music at one of our favorite spots, ristorante I Rossi with a talented young pianist, Sean VanMeter, www.seanvanmeter.com . At 12 years old, Sean has a repertoire of classical and contemporary music including several of his own compositions. He's definitely on his way to fulfilling his dream of playing at Carnegie Hall and we'll all say 'Io c'ero' when remembering Sean's European debut in Umbria!

A presto,

A Taste of Umbria

If you're ever invited to hike along an acquedotto romano you can pretty well be assured of an enjoyable walk, i.e. not too strenuous. Not that the Romans had hikers in mind when they designed the aqueducts. The gentle slope was meticulously engineered to regulate the flow of water from the hills using the force of gravity. With this information we set out with our guide, Alessandro, to enjoy a perfect spring day exploring the aqueduct between Spello and Collepino, our destination for lunch.

Collepino is actually an abbreviation of the original name Collelupino, hill of the wolf but no worries Alessandro assured us the wolves have long since disappeared, purtroppo.

We took a few breaks along the 5 km trail to pick wild asparagus and drink fresh spring water from the ancient fountains, passing by the infamous 'Abbeveratoio dell' Asino' the animal trough initially translated as 'the drinking trough for asses'. The translation has since been changed to 'the drinking trough for animals' due to the number of indignant hikers that were reluctantly dipping their head into the stone fountain.

As we passed the 4 km marker Alessandro pointed out the strategic position of Collepino perched high above us, the isolated height would certainly have deterred invaders in the Middle Ages and was having a similar effect on several in our group today. But with great expectations of our 4 course lunch and a lift at the end of the trail to take us to the top, we enjoyed the last stretch along the aqueduct.

There's good reason why we check out activities before recommending them to you - our well-earned lunch was scrumptious but the lift…it doesn't exist. For determined hikers the last half kilometer certainly builds your appetite, but if you're looking for a leisurely walk follow the aqueduct path for 5 km then at the end take the car up the hill to Collepino - where there's a will there's a way!

This Roman aqueduct walk is sandwiched between the beautiful towns of Spello and Collepino and is a spectacular daytrip full of history and nature, however you choose to experience it, be sure you do!

Did you know...?

La Mostra Impossibile translates to The Impossible Exhibition, a very fitting name. The exhibition presents digitized reproductions of important masterpieces using the highest existing definition, 1:1. Frescos, paintings and alter panels are all exhibited in their original dimensions using a technology developed by RAI Television in collaboration with the Italian Ministry for Cultural Heritage.

In the past it would have been impossible to view such a collection in one location and some of the works you would never be able to view as they are held privately, others such as frescos you could only view by going to the original location. Masterpieces spread around the world - it would take a lifetime to view all the works.

'Impossible' also because this technology offers the lighting and accessibility that is simply not possible when viewing in a church or standing behind the rope a few meters away.

Three exhibits have been developed to date, Raffaello, Leonardo and Caravaggio with showings in major cities including Rome, Naples and Chicago and this summer Todi has the privilege of hosting Raffaello.

At Our Table

Fava beans - the fast food of the Middle Ages come with their own individual Ziploc wrapping supplied by mother nature! Break open the pod and pop the tender beans into your mouth, convenient and healthy, they are loaded with amino acids, rich in fiber and vitamins A, B, C, K, E, PP. Farm workers would snack on the beans during the long days in the field sustaining them until evening dinner.

Grown in south and central Italy, the beans are harvested in late March, early April and though wonderful to snack on paired with cubes of pecorino cheese, today's recipe offers another way to enjoy these tasty beans.

Fava Spread

Serves 4 as starter

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of fresh shelled fava beans (butter beans can substitute)
• 1/4 - 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 small shallot
• salt & pepper to taste
• 1 cup freshly grated pecorino cheese
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice

Directions:

• Combine fava beans, garlic and shallot in a food processor and puree
• Add olive oil and process to make a smooth paste
• Add cheese and process
• Season with lemon juice salt and pepper

Top on crackers or toasted bread

Q&A

Question from Kate
Here is a real puzzler for me and perhaps for others that read your wonderful newsletter. What is your advice to avoid parking tickets in the town centers, and, if one gets a ticket can they just be ignored?

Answer from Susan
My best advice to avoid parking tickets is, don't park in centro! These beautiful medieval towns were not designed for cars and most streets are not accessible by car - best to put on some comfortable walking shoes and discover the charm of centro storico on foot. I don't have room to write all the details about parking and access but here are some important tips:

ZTL = ZONA TRAFFICO LIMITATO (traffic restricted area)

Many historic centers restrict unauthorized traffic to create an enjoyable space for pedestrians. Video cameras record your license plate as you enter a restricted zone. If you have not received prior authorization to enter the specific zone you will receive a fine on your car windshield or later by post. More and more cities and towns are implementing ZTL, including areas of Rome, Florence, Perugia, Terni, Orvieto and many of the smaller towns have restricted their entire historic center. Upon approaching the small towns you will inevitably see 'P - CENTRO' signs, indicating parking lots 'outside the wall' where you will find accessibility to the town such as lifts, escalators or pathways. If you choose to enter the towns you must watch for signs such as ZTL, VIETATO or LIMITATO.

GPS users beware! GPS systems do not recognize ZTL zones. Let's say you enter the address of a restaurant that's in a ZTL zone, the GPS instructions will take you to the door - later you will discover it was a very expensive meal as the minimum fine for entering a ZTL zone is 85€.

Street metered parking: These are marked with blue lines - never park in yellow lines as these are reserved spaces. If it is a metered parking area you will find a general parking meter machine within 25 m. If you can't locate a meter machine close by assume you should not park. Regardless if metered, if it is a ZTL restricted time/zone you cannot park, i.e. during certain hours you are not authorized to have your car in the zone.

How to pay for parking: Insert your coins in the machine and place the receipt on your dashboard. Many towns also have prepaid parking cards which you can purchase in advance at local stores. Basically you scratch the year, month, day and hour that you commence parking.

Parking and traffic fines can be paid in cash at the Italian Post Office. If you leave Italy without paying it will take awhile but be assured you will eventually receive the fine in the mail with an additional charge for late payment.

Found a spot with white lines? Grab it, white line spots are free. What about that perfect spot you find with no lines? Beware, no lines is not a spot it's a road or access way! - no lines, officially means no parking. The cars you see are parked illegally, taking their chances, it's all about risk vs. benefit.

Whenever possible I hope you will help preserve the history and ambiance of the historic centers by parking 'outside the wall'.

Enjoy your oil, Kate!
Susan