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"Vieni via con me" - Radio interview to Alessandra, as Certified Sommelier and expert Wine Tour Guide, on wine tourism trends in Todi and Umbria. "Visiting cellars and walking in the vineyards is an increasingly common trend in Italy. Last year wine tourism billed about two and a half billion Euros. We went to Todi to learn about the activities organized by local wine-makers and talked to Alessandra Mallozzi, sommelier, and Gilberto Santucci, director of the Educational Farm at the Agricultural Institute of Todi".

"We visited Umbria in September 2016 with a group of 15 friends from the West Yorkshire Branch of the International Wine and Food Society. From the first contact with Alessandra back in January through to the end of the trip, the experience was excellent. The feedback from all the members of the group was that this among the best food and wine trips we have ever done. This is due to 3 reasons:

a) the area is stunningly beautiful - both the towns and villages, as well as the idyllic countryside - it's impossible not to fall in love with the region;

b) the quality of the food and wine producers we visited. Unlike some other areas we have visited, the Umbrian producer is genuinely delighted when you tell him that you like his product. There is no "hard sell" anywhere, but time and again, we found ourselves buying as much local produce as we could fit into our suitcases to carry home (and we ended up arranging a private shipping of wine from one producer who we rated particularly highly);

c) Alessandra herself is the ideal tour leader. She is both very knowledgeable and is also passionate about the area, its food and wine, and the people who make it. She is also an excellent organiser, and the tour worked like clockwork. Most of all, however, we liked that she doesn't tell you what to think, but gives you the opportunity to talk about your impressions of the experience before discussing it with enthusiasm with you.

All in all, an excellent trip - we would recommend Discovering Umbria without hesitation".

"Foodie Friday, Umbria: tease the tastebuds in Todi" Issue 1 March 2016 - Interview

Trio of wines in Todi

Alessandra Mallozzi and her brother Leonardo are the owners of Discovering Umbria and this is what she has to say: “I’m a certified sommelier so I’m happy to suggest 3 different dishes paired with 3 different wines. Baccalà fritto, fried salted codfish. Given that Umbria is a landlocked region, dried codfish was the only kind of sea fish available in Todi in the past, with the exception of lake fish, of course. Baccalà goes perfectly with our fruity and dry Grechetto di Todi doc. Lentil soup dressed with our extra virgin olive oil with the Moraiolo variety; that it the Umbrian olive tree variety par excellence and the richest in antioxidants, paired with a young red wine based on Sangiovese grapes, widely cultivated in Todi with very good results. Cinghiale, wild boar, cooked on low heat for many hours paired with the ‘muscle’ red wine of Umbria, Sagrantino di Montefalco docg.”

Gourmet Italy what to drink and eat in Umbria by Tim Jepson, 2015

“Discovering Umbria consists of a brother and sister team, Leonardo and Alessandra Mallozzi, who from a base near Todi, and using a wealth of local contacts, offers one day and week cooking holidays, a one-day cheese making course, four one-day olive related classes. Including one with the chance to pick olives and four one day wine courses, plus weekend and week-end long olive and wine courses. Tailor made tours and courses are also available”

“Anyone who thinks mountainous Umbria doesn’t have an active volcano has never met Alessandra from Discovering Umbria. Don’t let her reserved and soft-spoken demeanor fool you; she is a true force of nature when it comes to Umbria’s fabulous wine (she’s a sommelier) and food expert”

“Discovering Umbria offers a range of tours to take in the very best of this iconic olive oil area, covering different locations, tastings and even olive picking. You can experience these tours year-round, but we'd highly recommend late-summer and autumn to see it at its best.”

"Discovering Umbria's brother-and-sister team knows food, especially Umbrian food. Growing up among some of Italy's best olive groves, Alessandra and Leonardo have put together a unique selection of one-day dining tours you can only find in Umbria"

Alex Leviton journalist, travel writer and Lonely Planet author, in an article on “Slow Umbria” posted on Lonely Planet website, and published also on BBC Travel website, recommends the travelers to “hire someone” and to hire also Discovering Umbria for a culinary tour in the region.

Destinations Travel Magazine important monthly American online travel publication “filled with stunning photography and professionally written feature articles on travel - written by people who know travel” hosts an article on Orvieto and its wine production, written by Alessandra.

The Discovering Umbria team cooperated with the staff of the Italian cultural magazine “Il Turismo Culturale” for the production and publishing of a special guide-book on Todi, focusing on the town wine and food production.

“Discovering Umbria is another small-group company that offers travellers an intimate look at life and culture in the province. Food is a pivot in the Discovering Umbria tours and there are some intriguing options to give you a deeper insight into Umbria”.

“Discovering Umbria has the aim to let travellers discover the authentic Umbria. They propose customized tours to learn more about the wine and olive oil production or the history of the region. The hospitality is excellent and the Mallozzi family will be pleased to come with you and to share their love for the region”

In 2010 MynaTour - international social community of responsible travellers promoting the preservation of nature and local intercultural understanding, publishes an article about Discovering Umbria.

Article published on the Italian newspaper “Il Messaggero” about our conference held at the Italian Language and Culture School “Bellitalia” in Tokyo, Japan, during our first promotional travel.