Posted by: Tenaki at 17:28 | link | comments

Treasures of Trasimeno

Close your eyes and imagine the Italy of your dreams, shimmering water, soft hued stunning scenery of terracotta, sienna and green where olive groves and oak trees meander over hills. You have just imagined the treasures of Lake Trasimeno the fourth largest lake in Umbria, Italy.

The micro-climate of Lake Trasimeno in the basin of the mountains, supports much wildlife and the lake is teeming with fish, the staple diet of the region. Totally unspoilt, there are no factories around the lake, the water of the lake remains clean (a laboratory on one of three islands checks daily). The lake depends purely on rainfall, there are no rivers flowing into it, which also maintains its purity. (There is only one other lake in Europe not filled by rivers, Lake Balaton in Hungary) Lake Trasimeno is very shallow, deepest point only 6 metres, the micro-climate also keeps the temperature consistently warm all year.

Lake Trasimeno, in Umbria (pronounced oombria) South of Tuscany is central for visiting Rome, Pisa, Siena, Assisi, Florence, Perrugia. Traditional products are of course Olive Oil, Wine, lacemaking and the local specialities are the Fagiolina bean and Saffron both are quality controlled.

The Comune Di Castiglione del Lago is an association and their aim is to grow together in order to build the touristic industry and respect the environment too. They consist of 60 restaurants/pizzerias, campsites, vineyards, hotels and tourist businesses.

There are 9 beaches around the lake and they are controlled by the towns and the whole area is conserved as a natural park. George Byron described as a "Silver Veil" and Goethe said "An unforgettable Vision"

To the North of the Lake in Tuoro, The Battle of Trasimeno where Hannibal brilliantly ambushed and slaughtered 15,000 Carthaginians will be found, in a natural ampitheatre, there is a museum to research the battle and a considerable walk to enjoy its many different aspects. Passignano is one of the two 'Most Beautiful Little Towns' and is to the North of Lake Trasimeno.

In Magione to the West of the Lake, you will find the Castle of the Knights of the Maltese Cross, it is a working castle with its own cellar and olive production, which you can purchase weekday mornings, the Grand Master Fra Andrew Bertie resides here and also Rome. Visits to the castle and chapel, can only be done for one month usually between mid June to mid July.

To the East of the Lake is Castiglione del Lago, the other 'Most Beautiful Little Towns' teetering on a hill with winding paths, and local produce shops, surrounded by olive trees, 2,000 are over 300 years and 5 over 1,000 years old. The medieval castle and Palace has 1,300 sq m of frescoes, which are currently being renovated,

Frescoes are painted on 3 layers of plaster. The first two layers were applied over the whole fresco area, with the third layer being added in small portions so that it could be painted on whilst wet with vivid and vibrant colours, before adding another portion of plaster maybe the next day.

In the Church of San Sebastiano, Panicale you will find another famous Fresco by Pietro Perugino. Panicale enjoys beautiful panoramic views over the plain towards the lake.

West of the lake fishing village of San Feliciano, you can hire the first tourist boats in Italy for fishing trips on a lake. To enjoy traditional fishing methods, you must be on the lake well before the sun rises, as the fish also wake with the dawn and rise up to be caught in the nets. The bonus is you will be watching the unforgettable sight of the sun rise over the mountains and it is the fishermans favourite time of the day, as the nets wait underwater he admires the changing colours and light, our fisherman said "his soul lifts with the sun"

The cost of the boat is about £40 and the trip takes 3-4 hours, there are 2 other trips you can book, a nature trip or a fishing trip, again for either £40 or £60

There are 40 traditional fishermen who fish the lake, 35 are over 65 and some over 80 years old. The fishermen used to have a breakfast before they fished of bread and barley coffee and milk was only added if they could afford it.

Perch, Tench, Carp, and Whitebait are just some of the fish found in the lake, all of which are enjoyed daily in the local diet. Either in pasta, or on crunchy crostini or in the famous tegamaccio, cooked for 4-5 hours to condense all the flavours creating an intense explosion of flavours surrounding chunks of fish, served on a base of bread, which then soaks up any the rest of the liquid

You must remember though the old fishermans' saying that their Grandfathers taught them "Never drink water with fish dishes ......because the fish might recover".

If you are looking for busy frantic tourism, fried English breakfasts, supermarkets, do not visit Lake Trasimeno. If you are looking for the true Italy, culture, good local food, wonderful wines, Lake Trasimeno will be your treasured jewel.

Sonja

Article by Sonja Fusher
12th September 2004

Posted by: Tenaki at 11:21 | link | comments (1)

Touring and Tenting in Italy

Well the email came through late yesterday with an invitation to Touring and Tenting to go to Italy for 4 days with the Alan Rogers group to review 6 campsites there plus do a bit about the area for tourists etc etc. Details are a bit blurry still but we have got the basics

To say we were chuffed is an understatement and with luck we can broadcast Touring and Tenting and it's members a bit more as well.

The downside is, guess who got the short straw to stay at home?  :no:

Anyway with luck we will get the live Satellite link up sorted and have reviews and pics coming in thick and fast...........actually it will be emails and phone calls..you know us.

Will let you know more later

Posted by: Tenaki at 17:12 | link | comments