We have had visitors for in the past few weeks and I’ve documented some of our adventures in pictures below.
Our first visitors were new friends. They own a place down in the south of Italy in a small town called Pisticci. They came to Umbertide for a few nights staying in a nearby B&B. We had fun showing them around. Our first lunch at Erba Luna in Montone. We went to Erbe Luna to escape a gaggle of loud Americans. But damned if they didn’t end up with us anyway. Can’t win. But they gave us our most memorable moment when one of them asked if a dish came with a side of spaghetti…must have been Italian Americans…maybe from New Jersey (no offense New Jerseyans). Reminded us of the movie, Big Night.
Ravioli with tartuffi, truffles…
Pretty stairs down from the walls above to the outside dining terrace.
View from Montone toward the Apennines.
Sunday was a beautiful day to go to Calagrana for Pranzo. Asparagus, poached egg showered with truffles.
Too pretty to eat Scampi with grilled polenta.
Such perfect weather. Such a perfect view!
We went to a couple of wineries for tastings and then to Montefalco to our favorite L’Alchemista. The Giro d’Italia was passing through town that day and they were all decorated in pink flags, bikes, and paraphernalia.
Ravioli and favas. Spring is the time for fresh favas.
We had a great time getting to know our new friends and plan to see them again soon.
The next weekend Luther and I decided to go to the Cantine Aperte, or open cellars. Many participating wineries. We chose one in Orvieto. It was a beautiful day but all the places we went to were very crowded.
Our picnic. It was a pretty day.
Our next guests were very old friends…well not physically old! We’ve known each other since we all lived and worked in Germany 25 years ago.
We visited Montone for lunch and our great Wednesday market. The next day we went to Assisi. Our final day we visited Tabarinni, one of the best wineries in Umbria, lunched in Montefalco and went ceramic shopping in Deruta. Then, on the way to Rome we stopped in Orvieto mainly to see the magnificent Duomo. We had a light lunch of assorted bruschette and meat and cheese plates.
Lunch in Assisi. Another beautiful day.
The grilled octopus appetizer was amazing.
As were the pastas.
We enjoyed our time with our last guests. Talking of old times, eating, drinking and catching up.