What they’re saying about us....

FROM THE WEB SITE http://goeuropeabout.com

July 07, 2005
Rethinking Vacation Lodging - La Preghiera in Umbria

When John and Liliana Tunstill invited me to see their magnificently restored 12th century monastic outpost called La Preghiera in Umbria, I quickly agreed. After all, Umbria is my favorite region of Italy; its resources are much less strained by tourism than bordering Tuscany, and the hilltowns and culture are equally enticing.
La Preghiera has been transformed into a 11 room guest house, each room unique--and the restoration is top notch. Maybe it's time to stop thinking about your vacation hotel as a sterile box you stay in while taking in a bit of European history. At La Preghiera you're living within a historical touchstone on the pilgrimage route between Gubbio and Cortona-- John will explain the history of the structure to you, show you the historic collection of tools he's assembled from Umbrian houses he's restored, and then, if you're not overwhelmed at that point, he'll continue with an amazing tour that includes a collection of European post cards, an incredible collection of "toy" soldiers, Mussolini's Umbrian toilet paper (!), and more. You can get married at La Preghiera in a restored Romanesque church--or if marriage is not your style you can just hang around the pool and think of lost loves. Either way, get thee to Umbria and check out La Preghiera. They can arrange a spa visit, a truffle hunt, cooking classes (or cookery classes, your choice). It's not just a hotel.

www.lapreghiera.com
www.villamoscatelli.com

White and Black truffles of Umbria

Umbria is one of the lands with the best production of what is considered the black gold of gastronomy. The Umbrian truffle is an elite dressing for pasta, eggs or potatoes.
The wealth and the variety of the woods and lands in the region make it possible to pick tuber crops with particular organoleptic characteristics; as in the case of the black truffle of Norcia and of the white truffle of the Orvieto area.

Here at La Preghiera, in Umbria, we offer a 3 day Cookery and Course, to learn the art of making traditional Umbrian Antipasti, Pasta, Pizza, Salads and Cakes.See www.lapreghiera.com for further details and special offers!

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT US….

“Dear Liliana and John,

thank you both so much for a wonderful week at La Preghiera. It is SOOOOOOOOOOOO beautiful. I loved every fascinating and thoughtful detail. I also love ALL the staff. You have created a marvellous family atmosphere, with all of you clearly devoted to each other.

There were lots of special moments, not least Sally Ann and Marco's jazz concert and the romantic candle-lit musical finale in the church. John's tour of La Preghiera and the development near Montone were fascinating, and the traditional fiesta was fun.

Please tell Sandra her home made pasta dish with the Porcini mushrooms was the best ever.

I hope we will be able to send you some nice guests, and that your bookings will pick up steadily.

I'm afraid we haven't looked at the photos yet but I will send you any of the chapel evening if they come out OK.

Many thanks again to all of you. Tell Julia I still have my painted toenails to remind me of our holiday.

Love

Gillian”

www.lapreghiera.com

Speaking about antipasti....

TOMATO AND BASIL TOASTS

Bruschette and crostini are among the most common types of antipasti. The two are very similar and the terms are often used interchangeably, but bruschette are generally larger and thicker. Bruschette means “little burnt ones” and refers to how they should be prepared. Under a grill, whether charcoal or gas, the edges of the bread should be very crisp and the centre not too dry.

Ingredients:
Sliced Italian bread or long loaf of firm textured white bread
4 vine-ripened tomatoes
340g fresh basil leaves
2 garlic cloves (1 garlic clove to be rubbed over the bread)
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Serves 4

Wash the tomatoes and chop into small cubes. Place the chopped tomato in a bowl and season with salt, pepper, olive, oil, chopped garlic and basil (torn into small pieces).
Toast the sliced bread, which should be soft in the middle but crusty on the outside . Cut the toast into slices about 7.5 cm in diameter and 1.3 thick.
Toast the bread under the grill or charcoal oven until brown on both sides. For extra garlic flavour, rub a clove of garlic on the toast before spreading the tomato mixture.

Here at La Preghiera, in Umbria, we offer a 3 day Cookery Course, to learn the art of making traditional Umbrian Antipasti, Pasta, Pizza, Salads and Cakes.
See www.lapreghiera.com for further details and special offers!

“COSY WARM HOSPITALITY”

Recent guests here at La Preghiera Luxury Guest House – Umbria – Italy, wrote in www.tripadvisor.com :

“For lovers of Italy who are exhausted by the big cities, tired of overanxious tourists and just want to relax in an environment that encourages pure relaxation, appreciation of good food and great company and conversation then La Preghiera is for you. La Preghiera is situated in Umbria, central Italy, where you really can experience an Italian lifestyle undiscovered by most tourists. My fiancée and I stayed there in November '05 for 2 nights -- which in retrospect was too short a time. The converted Monastery is bathed in luxury, yet exudes a homey, down to earth and unpretentious ambiance. We stayed in the main house in the Pittore Michelangelo room, which was enormous compared to most hotels/B&B's throughout Italy. We had a wonderful nights sleep under the quality sheets and linens. Our hosts, John and Lilliana, with the assistance of Sally Ann and Ines were very gracious, and went above and beyond the call of duty to accommodate our needs. They gave us the keys tothe main house and told us to help ourselves - which we did. We lit a fire each night in the beautiful main room and sat back and drank the wine that was left for us. Each morning they left out a list of local attractions that they recommend and local restaurants, all with perfect driving directions to each location. The breakfast was wonderful with homemade preserves and other assorted local products. We made day trips into nearby medieval towns of Citta di Castello and Montone. The pictures on their website are exactly as the accommodations look. We recommend La Preghiera to anyone looking to get away from it all (okay, and if you can’t just let life go, they offer a computer with internet in the billiard room!) We will be returning as often as possible. Highly recommended.”

K. Petel, Washington DC

Here at La Preghiera, in Umbria, we offer a 3 day Cookery Course, to learn the art of making traditional Umbrian Antipasti, Pasta, Pizza, Salads and Cakes.
See www.lapreghiera.com for further details and special offers!

Today we are delighted to show you a very good typical Italian dish: Fusilli with creamed Zucchini and Shrimp

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons butter
1 zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced
1 leek, white and light-green part only, thoroughly cleaned and sliced
4 ounces froen small shrimp, thawed salt and freshly ground pepper
1 pound fusilli
1 cup heavy cream
3 egg yolks
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest


In a skillet over medium heat, warm the butter. Add the zucchini and leek, and sautè until tender, about 7 minutes. Add the shrimp, and cook for another 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, remove from the heat, and keep warm. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add salt and fusilli, and cook until al dente. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the heavy cream and the egg yolks. Season with salt, pepper and the lemon zest, and whisk. Drain the pasta, and add it to the bowl. Add the zuchini – shrimp mixture, season with salt and pepper, and toss. Transfer to a platter, and finish with grinding of pepper.

....enjoy your meal!

Lake Trasimeno

With a surface area of 128 square kms. and a circumference of 45 kms., Lake Trasimeno is the largest lake in central and southern Italy and the fourth-largest in the whole country. Of tectonic origin, it has a laminar structure and the maximum depth is about 6 metres. Today Lake Trasimeno is an INTERNATIONAL LAKE, as all the others great lake we have in Italy!
The lake is in the centre of one of the most important historical, artistic and cultural areas of Italy, with a wealth of its own local traditions. Florence, Cortona, Orvieto, Siena, Roma, Assisi, Perugia, Spoleto are within two hours travelling distance.
Not to forget archaeological sites of primary importance, unique monuments, historical commemorations, ancient traditions still in practice today and festivals of international importance(Umbria Jazz, Soul Christmas...)
In this central area of Italy, a lot of variety of local gourmet products, appreciated internationally, are to be found, whose roots originate in time-tested and ancient knowledge.
A very pleasant excursions, as Lake Trasimeno, are planned from the staff of La Preghiera! www.lapreghiera.com

3 Day Cookery Course at La Preghiera - Weds 26th April - Saturday 30th April

Join us at La Preghiera for a hands-on cookery course experience in Umbria, Italy.

Meet our cooks, Mara and Emma and learn how to make fresh pasta, fillings, sauces, traditional Umbrian antipasti, meats, salads and dolci....

The course includes a trip to a local market where you can savour the atmosphere of a thriving market town and buy fruit, vegetables, prosciutto and cheeses, the ingredients that you will need for the course.

Also included is an excursion to find the highly prized "Tartufo" or truffle in the valleys around Città di Castello, learning how to prepare and use them in Italian cooking with a dinner based on truffles afterwards...

The course includes:
3 nights luxury accommodation in historic home
Three hands-on cookery classes, approx 3 hours each
All meals including: Buffet Breakfast, Lunch with wine, soft drinks and coffee, Dinner with aperitivo, wine, liqueurs, soft drinks and coffee
Aperitivo and Stuzzichini on first evening
Truffle Hunting Excursion and market visit
Car, driver and interpreter where necessary
With prices from 1255 Euro per person....

Contact Sally Ann at info@lapreghiera.com to reserve your place on the course!