UMBRIA, ITALY - HEALTH

My wife and I are both English and have been living in Umbria, Central Italy for almost 30 years. During that time various friends, clients and relatives have suffered from broken, shoulders, legs and ankles, have had heart attacks and nervous breakdowns, have torn their hands, cut their fingers and had things in their eyes, have suffered from perforated ulcers and internal haemorrhaging, but apart from that, have been pretty healthy! The local Italian, or Umbrian health service is outstanding.

So, our area of the Upper Tiber Valley is served by three excellent hospitals, Perugia, Umbertide and Citta’ di Castello. No-one, as far as I know has ever received a bill for more than €30 – 40 despite the cost of their treatment, ambulance transfers and after care. Excellent Umbrian Health care.

My visits to all these hospitals has found them to be clean, well equipped and caring. No-one waiting, or dying, in the casualty or emergency reception. No-one parked to live, or die, on trollys in corridors, no-one ever turned away because they hadn’t paid their medical insurance, and no-one being turned away uncured. unhelped or uncared for.

I can't rate the local health services more highly.

We run a country house, hotel, B&B, guest house called La Preghiera, rent a villa for holidays and vacations called Moscatelli, and build and restore ancient farmhouses, country houses or real estate and, depending on where our guests, friends and clients have come from, our local health service seems to be, like our home and properties, four star.

John Tunstill, Umbria, Italy.

Movie Settings in Umbria - Under a Tuscan Sun

But if you really want a "Room With a View"; for your vacation or holiday in Italy; from "My House in Umbria"; near Umbertide, Citta' di Castello and Montone, see La Preghiera; hotel, country house, inn, bed and breakfast; and which is only a few miles away from Bramasole in Cortona, which featured in "Under the Tuscan Sun", and is near where they filmed "Brother Sun and Sister Moon" in Asissi; and which is featured on the site Reelstreets where some 350 films are examined for their real movie locations; and which is only an hour's drive from the shooting location of "Life is Beautiful", as well as "Tea With Mussolini"..................you really ought to come and stay and enjoy the understated pleasures of life in the Umbrian countryside............and maybe view a few of the villas which are for sale on www.propertiesumbria.com. Fly into Perugia, Bologna, Ancona, Forli, Pisa, Roma or Firenze.

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

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.

"Lo Spino" Speed, Dust and Scenery on the Tuscan Umbrian Border

The weekend of the 15th May will see the start of "Lo Spino" this is the 37th time this annual up hill speed race has been run. Competitors, in powerful, modified sports cars or special production cars will thunder their way, through some of Italy’s most beautiful mountain scenery in search of victory. Starting from the little town of Pieve Santo Stefano they will climb 1000 metres, over 7Km in under 3 minutes against the clock, on a steep, twisting course towards La Verna.

The crash barriers and bleachers are in place, the navigators signs indicating the direction and degree of turn have been put up, all that is needed now are the cars and crowds. The first event was run back in 1965 and won by Sangry La in an Alfa Romao TZ1, averaging 102Km/h. At the end of the 60’s its fame was already established and over 6,000 spectators made their way to this remote Tevere valley to watch the spectacle. The fastest ascent was by Parschal Irlando in 1992, driving a BMW with an average speed of 143Km/h.

Safety concerns in 2002 however saw the introduction of measures to ensure the well being of both spectators and drives, the course was shortened from 12Km to seven and modifications to cars were made to limit their speed. Fortunately this has not dampened the race for either the drivers or those watching. It is still as exciting to watch the cars speed their way around this torturous route with breath taking views all about.

If you can’t make the trip to the Upper Tiber Valley, then check out this clip on Youtube to experience the thril from the drivers vantage point. Click here.

Festa dei Ceri - Gubbio Candle Race

If you are in central Italy this month, Gubbio’s Festa del Ceri, held every 15th of May is an event you can’t miss. For over 900 years the people of the Umbrian town have celebrated the lives of Saints Ubaldo; the towns patron saint, St George and St Anthony with a race through the streets.

There is much pageantry and ritual attached to the ceremony with a colourful procession of the three Ceri (25’ wooden sculptures depicting each saint.)Mass is celebrated and a large luncheon feast is held before the teams commence the race.

Starting from the Piazza Grande they travel up the back up the hill to the Basilica di Sant Ubaldo. The teams consist of ten carriers who are changed every ten minutes without stopping until the winners, which are always the Ubaldo team reach the doors of the Cathedral and attempt to close them before the others enter. Once the Ceri are safely stored, the saints are bought out and a candlelit procession continues around the town along with more eating and drinking.

May's Programme of Events

May truly sees the start of the festa season, with the Umbrian town of Gubbio staging two of the big events of the year. Both the Festa dei Ceri (the candle race) and Palio della Balestra (crossbow competition) are unmisable occassions in the Upper Tiber Valley calendar.


Until 7th Citta di Castello, Piazza Vitelli, Exhibition covering a range of furniture, arts and crafts
1st - 3rd Citerna “Citerna Fotografia” exhibition of photos by Vasco Ascolini
1st – 3rd Pistrino 19th annual “festa dei fiori” agricultural and flower show.
4th – 13th Cdi C Stadio Bernicchi holds the “Trofeo Cartoedit” junior football tournament.
6th – 8th Cdi C Cathedral, 11th E. Zangarelli musical competition for school children.
7th – 9th Assisi Medieval festival in period costume, archery, processions, flag waving and jousting.
10th S. Giustino Antiques market.
10th Lisciano Niccone “Lo Scambivendolo, agricultural, biological and antiques market.
14th – 17th Cdi C Zoccolanti, the popular religious festival for St Pasquale.
15th Gubbio Festa dei Ceri, the ancient race through the streets of Gubbio
17th Cdi C Piazza Metteotti, Antiques market.
17th Montone 6th Umbertide Endurance motorbike race.
24th Gubbio Replica of the Ceri race in miniture
24th – 2nd Cerbara 24th annual Countryside Cherry festival.
24th Monte S. M Tiberina Ascension Day, featuring a historical procession.
30th -2nd Cdi C Piazza Matteotti, Moto in an open air concert.
30th – 31st Cdi C Communal Pool, 22nd International Swimming competition.
31st Umbertide,Scula Media Mavarelli, 44th annual “Fotografia Umbria” exhibition of photographic equipment.
31st Gubbio The famous medieval Crossbow competition.
31st Cdi C Stadio Comunale, “Matty & Co” football tournament.

Castello to Rome by Canoe

The 25th April saw the start of the 30th annual descent of the River Tiber from Citta di Castello to Rome. This now internationally acknowledged event, is the highlight of the canoeing calendar, especially for the clubs of Castello and Milan whose members made the first trip back in 1969.

Over the intervening years the event was run intermittently but in 1982, canoeist Francisco Bartolozzi, organised the festival for the first time and although the trip was undertaken by a small group, it assured the descents future. The following year there were more participants as well as an accompanying Army lorry used to transport the canoeist belongings, tents and support equipment. Before this all equipment was carried in the canoes and often ended up soaking wet.

1984 saw the competition come of age and attracted over 200 registrations and also have two Army trucks in attendance. Now it is recognised throughout the canoeing world and entrants arrive from all over Europe, include individual professional competitors, family groups, with ages from 5 to 80 years old.



The week long trip covering 25 -30 Km each day, has a troop of supports who follow the competitors, some on foot, by bicycle or in one of the support vehicles. They help at the difficult sections porting canoes around weirs and dams, setting up camp with its famous field kitchen.

The event also has an ecological aspect to it, helping to monitor the rivers course, erosion and pollution. Food cooked during the week uses locally produced ingredients and encourages people to examine the relationships between man and the environment. It allows people to renew old friendships, appreciate the beautiful landscape, towns and villages along the river and experience a tranquil, leisurely trip to Rome.

For anyone interested in cheering on our intrepid adventurers, they will be starting from the Ponte del Tevere, Citta di Castello on 25/4, Umbertide 26/4, Deruta 27/4, Fratta Todina 28/4, Civitella del Lago 29/4, Nazzano 30/4, arriving at Ponte Milvio, Rome 1 May.

Festivals for March in Umbria

Photo by Umbriart

1st Gubbio – Childrens Festival
7th Umber tide - Daltonico Studio, Live Music “Arezzo Wave Bands 2009”
10th C di C - Teatro Comunale, Prose recital “Lezioni Americane” by Italo Calvino
14th Umber tide - Daltonico Studio, Live Music Omar Pedrini in Concert - “Timoria”
15th C. di C - Piazza Matteotti , Antique and Retro Market
14-15th C di C - Ponte sul Tevere, Canoe competition
22nd Gubbio – Groupo dei Verdi, Market, fresh local produce
28th C di C - Teatre Comunale, Franz Leahr poetry recital “La Vedova Allergra”
29th C di C - Scuola di Musica, Jazz Trio - S Zanchini, M. Gerboni, G. Farina.
29th Umber tide - Teatro dei Riuniti, “Il Popolo non ha il Pane”

Festa-bruary

Middle of Winter but there are still a
number of plays and live music
concerts around the area, the biggest
event has to be the Carnivale in Piazza
where the children of the area get to
dress up and parade around the town.




1st - Tuoro, Teatro Comuniale, Silent Movies of Buster Keaton
7th – C.di C, Il Fondino “Rockin Opposition”, music and poems by Facopo Falchi
15th – Piazza Metteotti, Antique Market
15th - Umbertide, Teatro dei Riuniti, Production “Era una notte calda d’inverno”
17th – C.di C, Teatro Comuniale, Production of “Viaggiatori di pianura Acque mobile”
22nd - C. di C. Festa di Carnevale, lots of fun for the kids.
22nd - C. di C. Teatro Comuniale, Production of “Clash to me”
22nd – Gubbio Monthly market of locally produced, ecological goods.
27th - C. di C. Teatro Comuniale, Production of “U ciclopu” directed by V. Pirrotta.

Exhibitions throughout the Upper Tiber Valley

Alfredo Santarelli 1874 – 1957, Ceramicist, C. di S. Francesco, Gualdo Tadino.

Shaken Not Stirred

For anyone who has seen the opening sequences of the latest James Bond film, “Quantum of Solace” you will have witnessed the exciting spectacle of the “Palio di Siena”. The race is run twice a year in the Tuscan town, on the 2nd July and 16th August and has been a feature of the “Piazza del Campo” since it was first organised in 1656 to honour the apparition of the Virgin Mary nearby.

Siena is divided into sixteen Contradas or districts that all compete for the prized Palio, a beautifully designed banner awarded to the winner. Each Contradas has its own coat of arms, emblems, colours, patron saint and supporters; which include the she wolf, porcupine, the forest, the snail and the tortoise and attracts passionate followers.

The event itself consists of four days of celebrations, medieval costumed precessions and displays, culminating in flag throwing exhibitions, parade of the jockeys, a cavalry charge by the mounted Carabinieri and then the race itself. Siena ’s piazza is turned into a racecourse, the floor covered with earth, protective bleachers erected and stands put up for the 33,000 spectators. Many more are crammed into every available window, roof and balcony to witness the event.

The race is a chaotic; bare-backed three laps of the course with the winner taking all, surprisingly enough it is not the last person to cross the line who is considered the looser but the second placed rider. Visitors will get to see a celebration that stretches back centuries and in these modern days of corporate sponsorship and big business the Palio di Siena still maintains a medieval feel at its core.

If you are coming over to Italy for the Palio, why not check out our medieval monastry offering excellent accommodation and within easy reach of Siena. www.lapreghiera.com