Playing Knights and Princesses: Exploring Umbria with Kids

skyline of Brufa, frazione of Torgiano, Perugia, Umbria, Italy (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By []Giovanni Balboni

When getting together the family for a trip to Italy, it's important to know whether the surrounding areas will have interesting and kid-friendly activities that the whole family will appreciate. In Umbria, villas are often situated in beautiful hillside landscapes and offer easy access to daytrips that can connect children to local culture, architecture, and history. But it doesn't have to all be learning with no fun - many local attractions now offer special family guides that specialise in making history accessible and exciting.

Devouring the Unique Cuisine of Umbria

'Wine Break', Italy, Apennine Mountains, Umbria, Castelluccio di Norcia (Photo credit: WanderingtheWorld (www.LostManProject.com))

By []Giovanni Balboni

Ask people what their favourite food is and chances are pretty high they'll answer 'Italian'. From pizza, to pasta, to the most amazing entrees and desserts, everyone is sure to have a favourite Italian dish.

A holiday to Italy is the trip of a lifetime, and die-hard foodies agree one must-visit is Umbria. Villas in the midst of green rolling hills, medieval castles and churches, and crystal lakes are a certainly a feast for the eyes. The selling point for most foodies, however, is definitely the superb cuisine of Umbria. Villas offer the perfect holiday getaways, with beautiful scenery, casual and relaxed atmosphere, and the opportunity to explore the cuisine of the region at your leisure - much of which would rival the best in world-class restaurants and hotels. The Umbrians use centuries-old recipes and only the freshest ingredients, most from their own gardens, in the nearby farms, or fish caught fresh from nearby lakes to create the most amazing dishes. While characteristically rustic, dishes from this region are stunning in their simplicity, allowing the ingredients to speak for themselves. Listed below are some of the signature ingredients and dishes that definitely must be savoured when visiting the region.

Piedmontese Cuisine, a Hidden Jewel of Italian Food and Cooking

(Piedmontese version) Category:Maps of Piedmont Piedmont Piedmont (Photo credit: Wikipedia)In the Italian wine region of Piedmont (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

One of the great things about visiting Italy is that each region is almost like a different country. Each region has differences in dialect, cuisine, architecture, and topography.


Italy is no stranger to great cuisine. It is virtually impossible to not have a good meal in Italy. However, there are certain regions where the cuisine is more noted than others.


Recently become renowned for its cuisine is the Piedmont region of Italy. Piedmont, which in Italian means, at the foot of the mountain, is located just south of the Alps in the northwest region of Italy. It is a very industrialized region, being home to Turin, the automobile capital of Italy. The restaurant scene is now bursting with progressive and avant-garde type cooking.