It seems like we’ve read this one before: a solitary escape to the Italian countryside, salaciously detailed descriptions of food, the name dropping of small villages, but for some reason it’s still captivating, even if one Ms. Mayes is not involved, and even if there’s no Tuscan sun hovering overhead.

As this NYT article about one woman’s summer stay in this neighboring region points out, Umbria is not Tuscany: “Umbria is to Tuscany what Sonoma is to Napa — a little less trafficked, a little less touristy, a lot less money.” But just as good food, and don’t worry, I’m pretty sure you won’t notice much of a difference with the sun here.

Posted on June 23, 2009 by Matt Stabile