From Victoria and JP Goyet, recent guests here at La Preghiera, Umbria, Italy:


“JP and I can’t thank you enough for a lovely stay with you in your warm and gracious home. We’ll long treasure our meeting and overnight in your beautiful corner!”

The Italian ceremony of the tree stump

The traditional panettone of Milano, Italy, was originally nothing but a large loaf of bread, the preparation of which was supervised by the owner of the house, who, before it was baked, carved a cross on it with a knife as a sign of blessing. The large loaf was then eaten by the family reunited for the traditional Christmas ceremony of the tree stump, “ceppo” in Italy.
The father, or the head of house, made the sign of the cross, then took a large tree stump, usually oak and laid it in the fire place, with a bunch of juniper and poked the fire. He poured wine into a goblet, sprinkled it onto the flames, taking a first sip then passing it to the other members of the family. The father then threw a coin on the ceppo and distributed more coins to the others. Finally the family presented him with three large loaves of wheat and, in a solemn gesture, cut a small part, that was preserved until the following Christmas. The stump symbolized the tree of good and evil, the fire the work of redemption of Jesus Christ; the loaves, antecedents of the panettone, symbolized the mystery of the Holy Trinity. From this ancient and evocative tradition we still have today two parts: the belief of the "miraculous restorative power" of the "pangrande" consumed at Christmas, and the same "pangrande" which is now known as panettone.

From all of us here at La Preghiera, we wish you a very

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Christmas at La Preghiera – Umbria, the green heart of Italy

Enjoy a luxurious break over the Christmas season in the elegant surroundings of our 12th Century Umbrian Monastery. At Christmas time, it’s a land rich in romance and tradition quite unlike anywhere else in the world. On Christmas Eve, after a copious breakfast, guests at our exclusive country house can help decorate the stunning Christmas tree. Take a walk in the beautiful countryside after lunch and return for afternoon tea in front of the log fire. Later aperitivo, followed by a traditional Umbrian Christmas dinner served in the magnificent dining room. On Christmas Day, there is the opportunity to take part in a Mass at 11am, or perhaps enjoy a leisurely country walk in the valley: remember temperatures here will be a little warmer than Britain in December, with less likelihood of rain!
Christmas Lunch with Umbrian fare will be served in the dining room, accompanied by a choice of fine local Italian wines and on Boxing Day - St Stephens's day in Umbria – a traditional Umbrian buffet will be served, with guests being able to partake as and when they please.
All the local towns have a packed programme of festivities for those wanting to soak up some Umbrian culture, as well as a little of the Umbrian winter sun.
During the festivities, there will be carols by candlelight in our private chapel, an evening of live classic jazz music and a concert by a guest choir singing a cappella Gregorian, classic, gospel and Italian folk music.
Look out also for a range of special treats – traditional Umbrian delicacies, such as mulled wine, torrone, panforte, panetone, ricciarelli, dried fruits, cavallucci, nuts and many others liqueurs.

Father Christmas sails down the Tiber in a Canoe

Every year, on the 25 December, in Città di Castello, a town in Umbria, near La Preghiera, a large group of people wait for a special events! What is it?
Towards evening, a group of canoeists, each dressed as Father Christmas, with their canoes illuminated by lights, make their way along the river to the bridge at Porta San Florido where a crib is suspended over the water.
When they get out of their canoes, the Father Christmases give small presents to the children gathered there… An event not to be missed!

Christmas Cribs

Christmas cribs, Presepi in Italian, are to be found in all of the churches spread throughout the towns and countryside of Umbria. Often these cribs are the result of months of patient work, sometimes they are the cribs of previous years that are presented anew with added features, and in some cases they are connected to the traditions of the local people or to messages of peace.
For example in the town centre of Perugia, Umbria, Italy, 45 minutes away from La Preghiera, from 8 December to 6 December will take place an exhibition of cribs and a re-enactment of the Nativity.
In Assisi, the home of St. Francis, the Christmas Cribs are set up in the streets and squares of the town centre. From 24 December to 6 January, there is a life-sized crib on the lawn in front of the Upper Basilica of St. Francis.

PERUGINA HISTORICAL MUSEUM

There is a place in Perugia, Umbria, where tradition and modernity meet : the Perugina Historical Museum. An enchanting voyage on planet chocolate that starts with the discovery of the precious bean and culminates in a tour of the factory! And two days ago, the staff of La Preghiera, went to see the Historical Museum of Perugina…
A very fascinating visit between magic and technology to thrill both children and adults: chocolate bars, Easter eggs, armies of Baci!
We started with the Confectionery of 1907, a century of history marked by famous products: the Bacio, the soft centred Rossana, the Carrarmato bar, right on up the latest novelties by the School of Chocolate! We continued with the advertising history, retracing a broad cross-section of Italian customs and tradition.
Then we finished with the tour of the factory and with the shop, which costs a third of normal prices!
It was a great day, an unforgettable tour, whose sweetness is guaranteed by the free samples reserved to each visitor!
…a delight for the eyes and for the sweet tooth!

Soul Christmas

From 8 December 2005 to 5 January 2006, the fourth edition of Soul Christmas will take place, in the little town of Passignano sul Trasimeno. This is one of the most important events of Christmas in Umbria. We are speaking about a very interesting fair of Gospel music in Italy: in fact in a period between Christmas and New Year, the best gospel groups existing in Europe are staying in Lake Trasimeno, to make what is called a real Festival of the Emotions.
This successful occasion is very important because it expresses about emotions and feelings which felt during the Christmas Period ; all this is represented by the best afro-american black voices, singing in the theatres and the churches of the Trasimeno. The entrance is free!
For more information and for the programme see in http://www.trasimenoblues.net/

Traditional Umbrian dish Part 2

Today we continue with our Ravioli with spinach filling recipe.

To make the filling:
Bring a pan of water to the boil and add the spinach leaves. Let boil for 5 minutes. Then drain the spinach well. Squeeze the spinach hard to get rid of any excess of water.
While the spinach is still hot, add the butter and beat it well into the spinach. Add the cheese, salt, pepper and nutmeg to taste and finally the egg.
Sieve the flour with a good pinch of salt on to a pastry board. Make a well in the centre and break in the eggs, with a fork. Work the flour from the outside of the mound into a middle and over the eggs. Work this well until it is smooth and firm to the touch. After 10 minutes kneading the dough should be elastic and shiny. Dip a cloth in warm water, wring it out until almost dry and wrap the ball of dough in it. Leave 30 minutes to rest. To use the dough, break it into two pieces, roll out into very thin sheets, using as little pressure as possible, and sprinkle lightly with flour to prevent sticking.
Using a long rolling pin, roll it out into 4 equal very thin oblongs. On one sheet drop tiny amounts of spinach filling 4 cm apart in straight lines.
Dip a pastry brush into cold water and brush it in straight lines between the spinach filling. Place a sheet of dough evenly over the top. Work quickly in order that the dough remains pliable, otherwise it will crack. Firmly press down with the fingers between each amount of filling along the wetted line to form 5 cm squares with a pastry cutter or wheel. Separate the squares and put them aside a floured teacloth.

Good Luck and…..enjoy your meal!!!

Traditional Umbrian Dish

Here at La Preghiera, in Umbria, we offer a 3 day Cookery Course, to learn the art of making traditional Umbrian Antipasti, Pasta, Pizza, Salads and Cakes.
Today we are delighted to show you the ingredients to make Ravioli, a very good typical Italian dish.

RAVIOLI WITH SPINACH FILLING


INGREDIENTS FOR 6 PEOPLE:

450 g flour salt
4 eggs
Grated Parmesan cheese
Tomato sauce
225 g hot cooked spinach
25 g butter
50 g Parmesan cheese, grated
Salt and pepper
Freshly grated nutmeg
1 egg, well beaten

Tomorrow we will continue with all the instructions to make the pasta and fill it with spinach….

Umbria Jazz Winter – International Jazz Festival – Orvieto

The thirteenth edition of Umbria Jazz Winter, five days of great Music held in some of the most picturesque settings in one of the most beautiful and historical cities in Umbria.
Over the years, the festival in Orvieto is becoming more and more important, thanks to its formula that combines tourism, culture and music, and even the excellent cuisine and wines.
The two main events of the programme are the New Years Eve dinner, accompanied by Jazz and followed by concerts after midnight to welcome 2006 and the New Years Day Mass, accompanied by gospel singers and held in Orvieto’s magnificent Cathedral: an expression of the synthesis of diverse cultures and religions that meet through the magic of music. From 28 December to 1 January.

The Most Beautiful Peaceful Villa Ever

From www.tripadvisor.com , we are delighted to write what recent guests said about La Preghiera – Luxury Guest House – Umbria – Italy:

We spent a quick fire tour of Tuscany and Umbria searching for a wedding venue for next summer. La Preghiera was on our list of stops and was described to us as the most fabulous luxury villa. Having seen it in the flesh and experienced the warmth and hospitality of our hosts Liliana and John Tunstill I have to say it was undersold to us!!
La Preghiera is the an astonishingly beautiful 12th century villa that is picture-postcard perfect in every way. The owners' mission is not just to make people feel at home but to make them relax to the extent that they treat it as a home from home.
Set in amazing Umbrian countryside, it is a dream come true regardless of the length of stay.
My only regret is how little time we had to stay there on this trip. However, it won't be our last trip - we are on the verge of confirming it as our venue of choice for our wedding.
Whether you want the most idyllic wedding venue or just a place to unwind and enjoy, La Preghiera is the place to visit.

County Durham, England

The World’s Largest Christmas Tree

From 7 December to 10 January (17.00 – 24.00)

The Christmas tree outlined on the slopes of Monte Ingino is lit up every year on 7 December, the evening before the feast of the Immaculate Conception. It is the largest Christmas tree in the world and it has become a symbol of the town of Gubbio.
The “tree” stretches from the last stone houses on the edge of the town up to the Basilica of Sant Ubaldo (Patron Saint of Gubbio), where the star crowning the tree shines until 10 January. Consisting of four hundred metres of lights, the tree both heralds Christmas and makes Gubbio a record holder with a place in the Guiness Book of Records.

Christmas in Città di Castello

From 11 December to 8 January the town centre of Città di Castello is host to markets, a live nativity scene, entertainment, exhibitions and concerts. Beautiful Christmas decorations and lights abound throughout the town with a giant Christmas tree in the main square. Shops are open on Sundays with Furla, Fendi, Gucci, D&G, Armani, Prada and many others all available on shops along the Corso Emanuele.

Michael Bublè performs live at Ancona!

Last week, talented jazz singer Michael Bublè came to perform live at the stadium in Ancona. As it is only an hour and a half away from La Preghiera some of the staff went to see the band play. With hits from his latest albums, Bublè breezed his way through his classic swing repertoire, every now and then pausing to chat and pose for photos, sending his Italian female fans wild. At one point he even dared to come off the stage into the auditorium, only to find himself overwhelmed and having to hot foot it back onto the stage! Great to have a return of the Frank Sinatra era, class, style and cool jazz!
Photo © Michael Bublè website

Dottoressa Cinzia!

Reasons to celebrate at La Preghiera today! We are very proud that Cinzia, who helps in the office, completed her degree last week and is now “laureata” and with the official title of Dottoressa! Cinzia has studied “Communicazioni Internazionali” (International Communications), a degree in linguistics, for four years at the Università di Stranieri in Perugia. The course included learning Japanese and English and to finish the course, Cinzia had to write and present a thesis. The subject of her thesis was “I diritti umani linguistici – il caso dei Kurdi in Turchia”, Man’s linguistic rights – the case of the Kurds in Turkey. John and Liliana went to the graduation ceremony and today we presented Cinzia with a 3kg jar of Nutella (her favourite thing) to celebrate in style!!!!