UMBRIAN LIFE & TRADITIONS

A programme that gives you the direct experience of the Umbrian cuisine, a focus on Umbrian ceramic painting, the tasting of excellent products, sight-seeing tours of amazing medieval art cities, all combined with the warm hospitality, the professionalism and friendliness of our team.

A real “full immersion” week in the life and the traditions of the “Green Heart of Italy”

The places and the people :

Ubaldo Grazia’s factory workshop :

One of the oldest factories in the world, the Grazia firm has been under the same family direction for over 500 years consecutively.  The entire production cycle takes place at their factory in Deruta, from the refining of the rough clay derived from local quarries, through to the creation of the objects, their decoration, two firings and quality control to produce the final product, which distinguishes this majolica factory from many others in the area.  The method of production at Grazia has been modified very little over the years & the same can be said for the building itself which has remained untouched since the beginning of the XX century, when Ubaldo Grazia, grandfather of the present homonymous owner, moved from the centre of the still existing old hill town down to flatter land.  At the time the factory required more space to stock goods commissioned by the United States with whom they had established a profitable business.
Over such a long period the Grazia family has been able to greatly amplify their range of patterns that can be reproduced on tableware to exalt any dish you may decide to serve on them, or on ornamental pieces to render any type of room more beautiful.

The huge well-stocked showroom, the private factory museum, the possibility of experiencing the entire work process with direct contact with artisans & painters, make it one of the most frequented & appreciated places by both Italian & foreign tourists on visit to Umbria.

The Maestri Ceramisti :

Luana Fringuelli has always had a natural inclination for human studies & foreign languages. After having attended ‘Liceo Classico’ in Todi & the faculty of Foreign Languages and Literature at the University of Perugia, she then attended a course for tour guides in Todi.  Following this she spent some time in the restaurant trade before her arrival at the Grazia majolica factory in Deruta.  Here many aspects of interest to her come together, from direct contact with people to the possibility of using the English language and the pleasure to be able to learn all about the beautiful Grazia creations.

After having spent some years in Bergamo, a town in the north of Italy, Riccardo Muti now lives in his hometown, Todi.  Riccardo first came into contact with the world of ceramics during a course held by Prof. Igino Ficola, and later developed his interest at Giampaolo Margaritelli’s laboratory in Deruta, where he studied how to paint classical designs.  Riccardo began his career in 2005 at the Grazia majolica factory when he undertook a successful period of work experience only to return a month later as apprentice painter. . He then began a specialization with the world famous master Romano Ranieri where he studied above all light and shade technique on human subjects.  Proud to work at the oldest majolica factory in the world, Riccardo continues to study to improve his technique and perfect the styles.

The cooking course :

is held by chef Lucia Tomassi. Lucia comes from a family of chefs that have filled her with the passion and the love for the typical dishes of her region ever since her childhood. She has worked for various years on yachts cruising the Mediterranean  and also as personal chef for private Italian and foreign families both in Umbria and abroad. She is young, dynamic and extremely lovely just as her fantastic desserts. She speaks very good English.

The accommodation :

“Il Casale della Vorga”.  It is a beautiful agriturismo (farm-house) only 10 km from Todi, it has belonged to the Maggiaprile family for four generations and it is located near the heart of the farm.
Antonio Maggiaprile Senior bought it at the beginning of the 1900s from a small landowner of the area.The structure is square shaped and it is a typical and traditional country master house.
Later it was transformed into a colonial house and for decade farmers working for the Maggiaprile family lived in it.

Due to the mechanization of agriculture and to the I World War, the house was abandoned.
It was only in 2005 that Antonio Maggiaprile Junior decided to transform into an agriturismo. The structure has hosted its first guests during the touristic season 2007/2008.
The name “Casale della Vorga” comes from the nearby stream Vorga, where, in the past, the women of the area used to do their washing.

The agriturismo is formed by:

A two-room apartment sleeping two : one bedroom (double bed), a kitchen/dining room. Bathroom with a multi-purpose shower box.
Two three-room apartments each sleeping four:  2 bedrooms in each flat (the first flat has two bedrooms each with a double bed, the second flat has a room with a double bed and a room with a single bed), a kitchen/dining room with fireplace, bathroom, bathroom for disabled.
A three-room flat for lessons and workshops, also the residence of the DU assistant.
An external shared area at the disposal of the guests of the programme.A swimming pool and an equipped garden for the private use of the guests.

The owner :

Antonio Maggiaprile, born in 1979, represents the fourth generation of the  Maggiaprile family, an important family that by the end of the XIX century possessed many lands located around the area of Todi. The farm, handed down from father to son, is today an important presence in the area, mainly for the cultivation of crops, vineyards and olives.

The DU team:

it is formed by professional guides and interpreters, they will always be by your side in every moment of the day.

The places:

The ancient Via Flaminia and Carsulae – The pompei of Umbria, the lands of Bevagna and Montefalco, Orvieto and its Cathedral, the countryside around Todi and the breathtaking sunsets…

The food, the wine:

the extra virgin olive oil, the Grechetto from Todi, The Orvieto Classico, the Sagrantino from Montefalco, the Umbrian wines all with IGT and DOC status, pulses, game, home-made pasta and more still...

PROGRAMMA: