Summer relaxation by the pool and warm leisurely outdoor evenings in the garden. Evenings of music and dancing in the villages. Classic and Jazz music festivals, open air events and lots of local atmosphere to be enjoyed. The astronomical observatory at Montone is well worth visiting. Long and lingering dining under the stars and well into the night is a way of life here in the Upper Tiber Valley.

Autumn is the season for truffle hunting, mushroom gathering and chestnut picking. Celebrating the new prosciutto ham with home baked ciaccia (unlevened bread). Late autumn sees the harvesting of the olives and the olive mills (franotio) are open for visitors to see the process of making Extra Virgin Olive Oil and taste it for themselves!

There are several important farmers’ markets including the Woodland and Truffle fair in Città di Castello, with chance to buy delicious salami, prosciutto, cheeses, porcini mushrooms, truffles and olive oils. The world famous Euro Chocolate festivals are not to be missed.

December, January and February are cold and crisp and we need a rainy season to keep our countryside green. Bright cold days in winter, Umbrian golden colours in the oak woods, the smell of log fires fills the atmosphere which is enriched by bright blue skies with passing fluffy clouds and magical stars at night.

Chestnuts and vino novello, reminiscing story-telling of bygone times, mushrooms, truffles and roast meats. It's the time for slaughtering the pig and homemade salsicce (sausages), prosciutto (ham), coppa (brawn), finishing with a celebratory dinner with friends and neighbours.