Film Location Tourism in Tuscany and Umbria

Walt Disney knew it; Hollywood encouraged it and now Harry Potter has conjured up the latest interest in film induced tourism. In a recent article Warner Bros were congratulated by manager of Gloucester Cathedral for the hoards that are now pounding their way to see this ancient building. It forms part of the location for the magical school Hogwarts in the multi-million pound franchise and the funds raised from the visitors assist greatly with the £5,000 per day, upkeep of the building.

A report by the New Zealand tourist board echoed this with its own results; followers of the Lord of the Rings trilogy are currently bring millions of tourist dollars into the country as a result of fans wanting to visit the film locations that made the films such a success. However if your money doesn’t stretch to trip to New Zealand and a rainy day out in Gloucester doesn’t appeal there are many interesting films that have been located in sunny Umbria and Tuscany.

Tea with Mussolini – Florence and San Gimignano
Under a Tuscan Sun – Cortona, Sansepolcro
Life is Beautiful – Arezzo, Terni
Hannibal – Florence
Room with a View – Florence
Brother Sun, Sister Moon – San Gimignano, Gubbio
My House in Umbria – Siena
James Bond, Quantum of Solace - Siena

Film websites like Reelstreets have understood this phenomenon for a while as well, here members are actively encouraged to discover movie locations and take the “now” photos to add alongside the sites “then” shots taken from classic cinema. As the latest Harry Potter film hits the cinemas this month and the long awaited prequel to Lord of the Rings due for release in 2011 the trend of seeking out locations made famous by the movies looks set to continue.

Photo by Umbriart

Private Chapel Wedding in Umbria, Italy

Situated in the Upper Tiber Valley, is one of Umbria's best kept secrets, a recently refubished medieval monastery with its own chapel and visiting pastor, that offers a marriage service, catering and atmosphere you will never forget.

With the wedding season being relatively short, even in sun kissed Umbria, four months only offers the chance of sixteen fabulous weddings a year. So if you wish to have the fairytale wedding you have always dreamt of in the middle of the Italian countryside, you should start preparing right away. Costs in Umbria are on average half that you would expect to pay in the UK or USA and weddingsumbria's, wedding planner will coordinate and guide the whole day effortlessly for you. Accommodation, church service, music, catering, flowers, photographer, car hire, fireworks, disco dance floor and the many incidental things that make the day. All this will add up to a signiture wedding to cry for.

UMBRIA HOLIDAY PRICES FALL

In the heart of Umbria two classic Umbrian villas are reducing their villa rental prices in a bid to combat the ongoing economic crisis and encourage a rise in tourist numbers. Villa Moscatelli, a three bedroom, traditionally built classic Umbrian country house. Sitting in the luscious Seano valley, amid a large, fragrant garden, swimming pool with ample opportunity for country walks and bike rides.

The green heart of Italy, as Umbria is known and especially the Upper Tiber Valley is an area of unspoilt beauty with ten medieval towns, two idyllic lakes, restaurants, bars, ice-cream shops and art a plenty nearby. The restored 700 year old monastery, La Preghiera, is one of the most beautiful villas in the Umbrian countryside and a perfect location for weddings, reunions and family celebrations.

Umbria Jazz 09 - July 10 - 19

A great event !

The summer jazz Festival is back in Umbria with its old formula, meaning artistic quality that matches big numbers.

Umbria Jazz 09: 36 years of history 7 editions at Arena Santa Giuliana as main stage10 days of concerts (10 – 19 July )9 stages including the ones at the Arena,
the theatres, squares and restaurants220 events, free for the most part550 performers66 Grammy Awards on the main stage at the ArenaThe eclectic line-up of Umbria Jazz Festival tells the spectators at what extent music can be different and the reasons why,
if we talk about good music, it all deserves attention. Popular songwriters will be performing in Perugia ( Paolo Conte, Burt Bacharach, James Taylor) along with some extreme vanguards ( Cecil Taylor and George Lewis presenting the AACM project)and the sophisticated accredited pop authors (Steely Dan and Simply Red);the orthodox jazz with McCoy Tyner and Bill Frisell, the Roy Haynes Trio, Ahmad Jamal) ;

the ever-green standards (three tributes to Nat King Cole: George Benson with a big string orchestra, the crooner Allan Harris, Freddy Cole, the great singer’s brother) and the Black music (BB King, Solomon Burke, Maceo Parker, John Scofield with the New Orleans project).

It is worth mentioning the two encounters between the USA and Italy with Wynton Marsalis –Francesco Cafiso and the never seen before duo Chick Corea – Stefano Bollani. Charles Mingus music will be celebrated with the Mingus Dynasty and Quintorigo. Italian Jazz will be well represented, as usual with, among the others Enrico Rava, Paolo Fresu, Gianluca Petrella, Enrico Pieranunzi, Renato Sellani, Danilo Rea, Roberto Gatto and Gabriele Mirabassi, plus the curious “intrusion” of Gino Paoli who shares a good feeling with the jazz music.
http://www.umbriajazz.com/