June news

admin — Sun, 13 May 2012 16:35:42 +0000

Spring flowers are amazing this year..the cherry blossom has settled into a bumptious cherry crop I can hardly wait to eat, and the summer tomato, aubergine and courgette plants are thriving. My summer guests have lots to look forward to as we share the overflow of the summer fruits with them.

We have a couple of weeks free still -June 9th to 16th & July 1 to 7th…so if you are looking for a bargain grab a week with us. Late booking Special offer of 40% off list price. Not to be missed

Special offers-late booking reductions

admin — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 09:26:10 +0000

May & June are amazing months here for nature lovers, bird watchers and ramblers. We’re offering fantastic late booking reductions of over 30% for the weeks of May 5-26 and from June 9 to 23. The cost of one weeks’ stay in our self catering villa is 980 euro instead of 1500. Combined with big cuts in budget airlines fares at present it makes the idea of a weeks’ break to savour the delights of Umbria very possible.

March in Poggio Le Stalle and Amelia

admin — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 10:24:23 +0000

March and a burst of activity in the area. Today, 10th March, hundreds of cyclists set off from the center of Amelia on day 3 of the Tappa Tirreno-Adriatico cycling race. Among them is the famous cyclist Mark Cavendish, winner of last years’ Tour de France. It’s also the season of prose here, with local museums, galleries and theatres hosting a series of literary and musical events. Tonight the Commune of Amalia offers a free piano recital by concert pianist Mark Munch in Palazzo Petrignani, a 16c Palazzo complete with frescoes and which has wonderful accoustics.

Guests staying in our lovely villa in the Umbrian hills are enjoying the warm sunny days and the wonderful signs of emerging spring: the daffodils, crocuses and violets; the sweet songs of mating birds and the night call of the owls across the valley.

Soon it will be wild asparagus season again…..

January and wild boar

admin — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:01:01 +0000

Out walking on the path behind the house this morning and two young wild boar passed in front of me. Apparantly, as I’ve been told by local hunters, we see lots of boar because they recognise our smell, the sound of ours cars and voices, the lights of our house and our family rythms etc and know we are not out to get them. (Hence the family of boar who boldy presented themselves every night in November to munch noisily through part of our walnut harvest) Even so, friends or otherwise, the way they cook wild boar here in the village is sumptious. They cut the meat into tiny,tiny pieces and cover with water. Bring to the boil and simmer slowly adding water as needed until the meat is tender. Let the water evaporate then add a some generous splashes of good quality olive oil, 2-3 garlic cloves in halves, one or two chillies, a few green olives, two sprigs of fresh rosemary and 3/6 salvia leaves and let saute gently again for a short while. Then add glass of white wine and a some chopped fresh tomatoes, (or canned), salt and freshly ground pepper. Let simmer gently -yet again- (adding water of neccesary) until the meat is truly tender and little sauce remains. The secret is time..it can’t be rushed. Good bread is essential to accompany this dish. Rosemary and garlic pan- sauteed potatoes a must.

October Break/Weekend Offers

admin — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 07:56:58 +0000

Take a mini break in beautiful Umbria before winter sets in. With Rome only 90 km away our self- catering villa makes it an ideal location for groups of friends to meet and share quality, relaxing and restorative time together. Liberate the Jamie Oliver in you and cook at home in a spacious, well designed kitchen or be lazy and choose from a variety of options ranging from B&B to ”meals on wheels’ style catering . Enhance the experience with a shiatsu treatment massage and/or yoga session (both offered on-site). For the more active you can go white water rafting, kayaking (in nearby Terni) rock climbing (close by) or trekking. Basic cost in October for 2-3 night rental of self catering villa is 750 Euro for up to 10 people.(Further discounts may be available for fewer people) For information email: lestalleumbria.com

Wine tasting in June

admin — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 08:15:27 +0000

In the heart of the historic centre of Amelia lies an old convent with charming cloisters in which events are run throughout the year. On Sunday June 19th the Chiostro Boccarini hosts a wine tasting day organised by local wine producers. See www.ameliadoc.it. Not to be missed is the Sagra della Polenta al Cinghiale (the feast of polenta with wild boar). Yum! held locally at the end of June.

May news

admin — Thu, 05 May 2011 10:11:52 +0000

May has to be one of the best months in Umbria for nature lovers, ramblers and culture seekers. The long days guarantee lots of time for sightseeing or trekking before nightfall. There’s an amazing plethora of birds, bees, butterflies and wild flowers to satisfy any hungry naturalist, while for food and culture lovers the festas and sagras have now begun and will continue through to late September. This month’s menus at local festas include pasta with nettle sauce, lasagne with peas, asparagus and broad bean filling and roast duck: all washed down with a robust local red or white wine. Usual meal price runs to 15 euro and is followed by local music and dancing in the square.

Not to be missed are the many free classical concerts of exceptional quality that run in the nearby village halls, churches and Amelia’s cathedral.

Perfect time to book a last minute holiday offer and take advantage of our reduced price spring break in our self catering holiday villa in Umbria.

Contact Helen for details.

Wild asparagus and pasta recipe

admin — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 17:28:16 +0000

Wild asparagus pasta makes for a fast, simple feast with a sumptuously delicate flavour. Fast and easy to make.

Take an abundant fistful of wild asparagus. To be sure you don’t get any stringy bits, snap each one at the point where the tender part meets the tough stalk.

Gently saute one or two garlic cloves till soft (don’t let it brown) in good quality olive oil together with a small dried chilli pepper, add the chopped wild asparagus and saute very gently adding a couple of spoons of water to help soften it. Season.

Meanwhile cook 200 grams of spaghetti or fettucine til al dente, toss in asparagus and freshly grated parmesan.

April delights

admin — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:36:29 +0000

Spring has arrived in its full splendour: the almond trees are in full blossom, the wild flowers are blooming, the frogs are croaking and the wild asparagus is there for the picking. A season not to be missed. Make the most of our self catering villa rental during this wonderful season.

Special spring prices available for our beautiful Umbrian retreat.

Spring offers

admin — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 19:10:16 +0000

Spring is my favourite time in Macchie. Lengthy days and the abundance of flowers and wildlife means it is a treat not to be missed by bird lovers, ramblers and nature-lovers. Make the most of our special spring offer. The large farmhouse is available for smaller groups of 4 people for the special price of 850 euro per week. Available from April through to June 26 ( Easter and Spring Holiday periods excluded).