Top events in Umbria for 2008

The privately-owned TodiCastle Estate is centrally and conveniently located to visit the significant Umbrian towns of Orvieto, Assisi, Spoleto and Perugia. There is an abundance of unique and characterful festivals and events that take place in the area.

We’ve hand-picked our selection, which will appeal to jazz and classical music lovers, foodies, truffle-hunters, chocoholics, wine and culture-vultures.

1. Umbria Carnival – 15th and 22nd February
The Umbria Carnival takes place in Guardea and features an elaborate parade with spectacular floral decorations, flags, torches and candles. During the carnival guests may taste sweets typical of Perugia including a frittelle made with honey, sugar and fruits or the struffoli made with small balls of pasta sunk in orange honey and garnished with candies and sugared almonds.

2. Black Truffle Fair – 23rd – 24th February
More truffles are found in Umbria than anywhere else in Italy and it is especially famous for black truffles, a specialty of Italian cuisine. The primary truffle areas are around Spoleto and Norcia. The Black Truffle festival held on the last weekend in February is a great time to visit the region and taste the truffles. The festival attracts local and national food producers and other exhibitors including crafts, Folkloristic entertainment, conventions, shows and sports competitions all centered on the truffle.

Truffle hunting on Todi Castle Estate is a perfect way to spend time when in Umbria. An expert tartufaio (truffle hunter) and his dog will guide you to the discovery of the truffle and reveal the secrets of its search. You too can become involved in a fascinating "battuta" (combing of the area) in the search for the precious truffles.

3. Cantine Aperte – 25th May
Perfect for wine lovers the Cantine Aperte, which translates to Open Wine Cellars, is Italy’s biggest wine event taking place in May. In its 15th year this important event offers visitors the opportunity to taste Montefalco wines and is a unique opportunity for all those who love to visit the wine cellars and vineyards to explore Umbrian wine culture and all its secrets. The largest producers in the area offer wine tasting matched to typical local produce.

4. Procession of Corpus Christi – 15th June
Orvieto provides an atmospheric setting for the medieval and religious spectacular of Corpus Christi. Orvieto's version of this event recalls the 1263 Christian miracle of Bolsena in which, while a priest was giving mass, blood issued from the host. The linen altar cloth, on which the droplets fell, is traditionally kept in the Cathedral but is carried through the streets of Orvieto for the feast of Corpus Christi. The world-renowned parade featuring medieval dances, songs and music, starts at the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo and ends at the Cathedral and sees more than 400 people celebrating with knights, ladies, musicians and flag men all dressed in 14th century costume.

5. Water Festival – June – July
This event, held at the Lake Piediluco, set in the Umbrian Hills, dates back to the extremely ancient tradition of the celebration of the Summer Solstice featuring rites, purification ceremonies and lighting of fires. As time has passed, the festival has retained its original features but has expanded to include other events such as an illuminated procession of decorated boats by night, firework displays, theatrical performances and concerts of classical music.

6. Festival dei Due Mondi – 1st July – 31st July
The Medieval town of Spoleto hosts one of Europe’s most vibrant festivals during the month of July with a remarkable programme of visual arts performances. Typically the festival begins with an inaugural concert on the Piazza Duomo outside the Cathedral. During the annual festival visitors can enjoy quality concerts of classical music, opera, theatre, ballet, visual arts and cinema at various venues across the beautiful city.

7. Todi Arte Festival, - 12th – 27th July
The annual Todi Arte Festival, in the last week of July is held in courtyards throughout the city, presenting theatre, music, classical and ethnic dance, and cultural events.

8. The Italian International Hot Air Balloon Grand Prix – 13th – 27th July
In its 20th year the Italian International Hot Air Balloon Grand Prix, held in Todi, sees more than 70 hot air balloons arriving from countries all around the world. The balloons are inflated twice daily creating spectacular photo opportunities. There are also many other attractions at the event to keep the whole family entertained.

9. Celebration of ‘Made in Italy’ – 4th–12th October
This nine-day event held in Orvieto each year, celebrates the wine and gastronomic tradition of the ‘Made in Italy’. The prestigious event was born in 1996, after a memorable world congress of the "Slow Food" Movement which took place properly in the Umbrian city. The event features conferences inside the beautiful museums and historic monuments, foot tasting, art exhibitions and themed dinners.

10. Eurochocolate – 18th – 26th October
This annual event will be any chocolate lovers dream! Dedicated to the chocolate for which Perugia is famous, this event comprises chocolate tasting, cooking classes, workshops and chocolate sculpting. Last year the Berlin Wall was recreated in chocolate bricks! Visitors will devour more than 50 tons of chocolate throughout this eight-day event.

11. Frantoi Aperti – 1st – 2nd November
The Frantoi Aperti festival, taking place during the first weekend of November, sees the doors open to several mills around Umbria offering visitors the chance to admire the olive trees, talk to producers and learn more about olive oil production through seminars and guided tastings as well as learning the secrets of a Mediterranean diet! Numerous farms and restaurants also take part in the festival by incorporating quality olive oil with traditional dishes. Some of the most important museums of Umbria are also free to visitors during the festival with guided tours.

12. Tasting of Italian Wines – 22nd – 26th November
This renowned competition, established in 1981 has now drawn considerable attention for its professionalism and aims to promote both nationally and internationally wine from Umbria. Relax over a dry white Orvieto, which is produced on the lands made fertile by the volcanic outpourings or simply take in the pride of the wine producers.

13. Umbria Jazz Winter Festival – 1st December 2008 – 31st January 2009
The Umbria Jazz Winter Festival delivers five days of great music in the picturesque setting of Orvieto. Concerts are held in the 19th-century Luigi Mancinelli Theatre, the halls of the Emilio Greco Museum, the 14th-century Palazzo Soliano, the Hall of the Quattrocento in the Palazzo del Popolo, and the Palazzo dei Sette. The event kicks off with street parades and continues with a series of knock-out performances. The New Years Eve dinner is the high point of a packed evening with music and concerts lasting well into the New Year.

14. Christmas in Umbria – 24th December 2008 – 6th January 2009
During the Christmas period in Umbria, religious ceremonies, historic commemorations and folklore events are organised. Living nativity scenes can be seen through many towns in Umbria and concerts of classical and jazz music are held in the beautiful churches. Visitors will also be able see the world’s largest Christmas tree made out of lights in Miranda, close to Terni and can be viewed from the valley below. Standing at 800 metres long and 400 metres wide and lit with over 7.5 miles of electric cables, it really is a spectacular sight.

Luxurious, medieval TodiCastle is available for weekly rental from around £50 per person, per night (based on full occupancy). Sleeping up to 13 guests, the exclusive use rental includes use of the private swimming pool, Italian breakfasts, linens, towels and maid service (6 days a week). Three separate villas, sensitively located within the 45-acre parkland, each sleeping 8 to 10 persons, are also available for weekly rental, priced from 2,200 Euros (or £200pp, based on full occupancy).

For more information, visit TodiCastle.com.

Ryanair (Ryanair.com) operates regular flights from Stansted to Perugia from around £80 return.