FOOD ITINERARIES
The history of Umbria has also been influenced from a gastronomic point of view. A large part of the region was inhabited first by the Etruscans and then by the Romans. These civilizations had a considerable influence on the Umbrian table that is still obvious today, especially in the use of legumes and cereals, above all wheat and farro (= spelt, one of the first cereals or grasses to be introduced into the Mediterranean countries). These ingredients were used as the basis for many ancient recipes.
During the Middle Ages, food culture came mainly from the monasteries which produced tasty dishes with as much attention given to the making as to parsimony, in making molto con poco (a lot with little).
In the traditional kitchen it is possible to discern subtle shades of difference in the dishes produced across the various geographic zones that emphasize the particular diversities for a specific locality. They are neighbors, and therefore similar, but not identical.
FOOD TOURS
Our food tours include visits to family-run farms and local producers. These visits are always accompanied by Discovering Umbria staff, Alessandra and Leonardo, your food&wine local guides.
CREATE YOUR FOOD WEEK – FOOD WEEKEND – Home-base Todi
Use our planning services to choose your food weekend or food week that you want. Tell us your plans and we will be happy to create your journey together.
Accommodation in hotel 4 stars, farm-houses, b&b and apartments, starting from 2 nights stay in Todi.
BOOK YOUR FOOD TOUR!
Our food tours run all year round and they are available starting from just 1 participant, to small groups of 12-14 people.
Discounts and offers
10% discount if you book min. 2 tours + additional 10% discount if you stay in one of our accommodation in Todi.
Quotation is calculated on the nr. of participants and Season (low/high):
please contact us for prices and availability
“THE PORK AND THE BEER”
The tradition of the pork production in Umbria is very ancient. The word "Norcino", an expert in the making of all pork products, is derived from the Umbrian town of Norcia, well-known since the Middle Ages for its tradition in pork processing.
PROGRAMME:
- This tour includes 1 half day visit to a farm located between Todi and Perugia, specialized in high quality pork production and pig breeding. This company also cultivates the grain used to make the particular feed for its pigs. A closed cycle studied to offer the consumers the best cold cuts.
- Thanks to the talented owner, a young and enthusiast Master of Beer, this farm produces unique craft-beers by traditional ingredients like malt and hop using also local legumes like the famous Umbrian lentils.
- The tour includes a visit to the company and a fabulous food tasting composed by the special cold cuts (prosciutto, salami, capocollo) in matching with the different craft-beers.
Please contact us for prices and availability
“VIA FLAMINIA AND THE POMPEI OF UMBRIA”
Walking on the ancient ruins of the “Pompei of Umbria” and Via Flaminia, built in 220 B.C.
Lunch at a family-run farm specialized in the production of extra virgin olive oil, legumes and walnuts.
PROGRAMME:
- Departure from Todi. Arrival at Carsulae, ancient Roman city situated in the countryside. Visit to the museum and the ruins.
- Departure for the farm and visit to the attached museum dedicated in particular to the “peasant” life of the past centuries. From the many artefacts exhibited, it is possible to glean a real understanding of life as it was for those working the land, tending their animals and working in the kitchen. One room is dedicated to a display of embroidery dating from around the 1900s that includes the tools and implements used by the grandmother of the current owner. Another important area is dedicated to the implements used in the cultivation of the grapes and, due to a recent renovation, now displays a new find dating from the 16th – 17th century in a magnificent “geared-lever press,” the only example of its kind in all of Umbria.
- Light lunch with chickpeas soup, lentils patè, bruschette bread with extra virgin olive oil.
Ask for quotation and availability
“NORCIA: MYSTICISM, NATURE AND…PROSCIUTTO!”
A whole day exploring one of the wildest and most beautiful areas in Umbria: the Valnerina.
This includes Norcia, the birthplace of Saint Benedict, the patron of Europe and home to the finest cured meats in Italy, and the plain of Castelluccio, with its outstanding colours and magic atmosphere. The town of Norcia boasts countless environmental, artistic, gastronomical and cultural resources –making it both attractive and unique in the eyes of every visitor.
PROGRAMME:
- Early morning departure from Todi.
- Arrival in Norcia and short visit to the main monuments.
- Walk along Corso Sertorio, the main street of the city full of shops of typical products. Time for the tasting and shopping.
- Departure for the Plain of Castelluccio, a unique feature of the landscape. The most striking feature of the high Carsic Plains of Castelluccio (1350m above sea level) is enchanting meadowland which blossoms in spectacular fashion in late Spring. Stop to take some photos and a pic-nic. Following transfer to the charming village of Castelluccio itself, which, at 1452 m. above sea level, is the highest settlement in the entire Umbrian-Marches Apennines and at the very heart of the Monti Sibillini National Park.
- (tour available from late-Spring to Summer)
Ask for quotation and availability
“FAGIOLINA DEL TRASIMENO”
1 day in the beautiful area of Trasimeno Lake and the amazing village of Castiglione del Lago. Stop at a family-run farm producing the special white bean “Fagiolina” cited by the Roman historian, Pliny the Elder who wrote that this legume was cultivated in this area by the Etruscans and later by the Romans.
Around the second half of the past century the “Fagiolina” was nearly considered extinct. 30 years ago thanks to the patient and continuos work of some young farmers in collaboration with the University of Agriculture in Perugia, the “Fagiolina” was re-discovered as a very special food product.
Today the “Fagiolina del Trasimeno” is a unique product which has developed peculiar “genetic characteristic” that granted it a place among the prestigious Slow Food “presidia” (= special and rare food recognition).
PROGRAMME
Departure from Todi. Arrival in Castiglione del Lago, well-preserved Medieval town on Trasimeno Lake. Walking tour in Castiglione and time for shopping. Departure for a family-run farm producing the special “Fagiolina del Trasimeno”. Visit to the farm guided by the owner and “Fagiolina” tasting.
SPECIAL EVENT
For travellers coming the first weeks of August it will be also possible to take part to a very special lake fish festival and to taste also two local food specialities: “Tegamaccio” - a fish soup made by all the fish varieties living in Trasimeno Lake, especially the tasty "anguilla" (=eel) – and “Brustico”- grilled fish served with the special extra-virgin olive oil from Trasimeno.