There’s a longer post on the subject at the link up top of the homepage, including photos of some of the rooms, but I wanted to share the exciting schedule we’ve worked out so far (still subject to change, but it should give you a good idea what to expect).
Email Molly@civitella.org today to reserve your spot!
Monday, March 18: Arrive in Rome where we’ll pick you up at the airport and drive the group up to Umbertide, stopping for a fortifying pasta lunch on the way. Peter will give a brief pancetta curing demonstration before we eat dinner at Civitella.
March 19: Breakfast at Civitella. Quick trip into Umbertide for breakfast groceries. Tour of the castle and facilities followed by lunch. Afternoon class on cakes and liquors with Romana. Barbecue dinner at Civitella.
March 20: The beautiful rolling landscape around Montefalco produces the best wine in Umbria. We’ll visit several winemakers, an artisan cheesemaker, and eat lunch, taking our time to enjoy this magic area before we head back to Civitella for dinner.
March 21: We’ll visit the Agrisolana caseficio (cheese maker) and eat lunch there. Before dinner, Diego will teach us about the history of Umbrian food.
March 22: Romana will teach us the secret to perfect handmade pasta, and then we’ll eat it for lunch. Free afternoon for hiking, wandering, or resting. Before dinner at the castle, historian Karima Moyer will tell us about “The History of Pasta and the Italian Identity.” After dinner, if the skies cooperate, we’ll do some stargazing.
March 23: We’ll begin with a visit to the farmers’ market in Umbertide, followed by Peter’s demonstration of some classic Roman and Umbrian vegetable dishes using fresh produce from the market and some foraged greens and herbs. After lunch will be free time, and then we’ll meet before dinner for an aperitivo and then Peter will lead a wine tasting during dinner.
March 24: Because it will be Lent, we’ll focus on fish today, visiting Lake Trasimeno and going out on the water with some fishermen. We’ll learn how to make tegamaccio, the fish stew traditionally eaten at this time of year, then return to Civitella for dinner.
March 25: We’ll head to Perugia in the morning, where Diego (a Perugia native) will lead us on a walk along the Tiber followed by a visit to an artisan chocolate maker. We’ll eat lunch in Pretola, and then head back to the castle for the Slow Food market at the castle followed by dinner there.
March 26: We’ll spend the morning making dough for bread and pizza, then have lunch. After, we’ll visit Archaeologia Arborea, where we’ll tour the estate and learn about all the heirloom fruit that Isabella is nurturing in her gorgeous orchard. We’ll visit the famous (and allegedly magical) Madonna del Parto and upon return to the castle we’ll use the morning’s dough to make pizza in the wood-fired oven, using the pancetta we cured on the first day as one of the toppings.
March 27: Drive back to the airport.
Remember, this is still tentative but provides a good sense of what you can expect. Apart from the few breakfast groceries we’ll buy on Tuesday (every room has a kitchenette), everything else is included. You can spend the rest of the trip without touching your wallet.
Here’s what some of our happy November guests had to say:
“We especially enjoyed the sessions in the kitchen with Peter, as he not only told us what and how, but why. Why so much salt on the meat and the vegetable, why a skim of oil on top of the artichoke water, why stretch the skin of the bread dough as you knead it… All useful, and lots of fun.”
“Stupendous. It was varied, interesting, fresh, and tasty, every single day.”
“Peter is vastly knowledgeable and inspirational, kind, and thoughtful in his one-on-one interactions. Fantastic. Ilaria, Molly, and Diego were SO wonderful. The perfect combination of knowledgeable, problem-solving, and personable. I miss them.”
We have a few spots left. Don’t miss out! You won’t find a comparable experience for anywhere near this price. Here’s that link with more information. You can see all my pictures from the November trip on my Instagram. Follow me for regular deliciousness and updates on future trips.
Email Molly@civitella.org today to reserve your spot!
