Tuesday, October 31, 2006

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT US…

“Dear John and Liliana,

the loving couple, Michael and Lyndsay, having returned from honeymoon, full of tales of the wonders of the far east and having enjoyed the party for all their friends in and around the north east, I thought it time to write to express our gratitude for making their wedding weekend such a special occasion.

I’m sure that Michael and Lyndsaywill be contacting you, but it appears that the old world of raffles, the hustle and bustle of Singapore interspersed with the total tranquillity of Tioman Island conspired to create, what a honeymoon should be, an unforgettable experience.

However, the precedent for a successful time had already been set by yourselves and your staff. We continually said whilst we were with you that the setting was absolutely perfect. Not just for the wedding itself but as a place for two families to get to know each other and enjoy each other’s company in a beautiful and relaxed environment. It was very special. I scribbled something quickly in your visitors book but there was insufficient room to write all the thoughts we had regarding yourselves, your lovely home, the warm reception, your very efficient, warm and helpful staff, and all the events, of what seemed to be at least a week, not 3 days (perhaps it seemed a week to yourselves).

Pat and I had purposely tried to avoid the pre-match chat by Michael, Lindsay, Richard and Linda of what the venue was like, what would happen, where we would go, etc etc, because we wanted to enjoy the setting and weekend for the first time when we arrived. You know that we were absolutely bowled over the setting and we would not have changed, or hoped to improve on any aspect of the weekend. Obviously this spoke volumes for the time which Sally Ann, Michael and Lyndsay had spent discussing the event, but came down to the calm, efficient but extremely warm way in which everything proceeded. That you all found time to help or converse with people as well as always looking as if you were enjoying yourselves, must be very difficult with a, sometimes, rowdy crowd. Certainly Pat and I thoroughly enjoyed the conversations we had with you all and my only regret is that I only managed ten minutes downstairs in the museum; where did all the time go!

For your warm welcome to your lovely home, for creating a wonderful setting in which Michael and Lyndsay could be married and for being such charming hosts along with your staff, Pat and I thank you very much.

We wish you all the very best for the reminder of the year and trust the future will be kind to you all.

Yours aye

Pat and Brian Parker”

www.lapreghiera.com
info@lapreghiera.com

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Christmas in Umbria, Italy, at La Preghiera! www.lapreghiera.com


Sunday 24th December – Wednesday 27th December
From only 625 Euro per person!*


Good news! From 20th of December Ryaniar will now be flying from Stansted direct to Perugia! To celebrate this, La Preghiera is offering a Christmas package to coincide with flights on Christmas Eve!

Special Christmas Offer includes:
•3 nights luxury accommodation
•Welcome aperitivo of mulled wine served in front of the log fire on arrival
•Leisurely Christmas Day Breakfast including Bucks Fizz and Brioche
•Aperitivo followed by 5 course Umbrian Christmas Day Lunch
•Boxing Day Brunch
•Brioche Breakfast on 27th December

Optional Extras
•Afternoon tea served by the cosy log fire (15 Euro per person)
Including home made cake, mince pies and panetone
•Christmas Eve Dinner (75 Euro per person)
Aperitivo followed by traditional Umbrian 5 course dinner
•Boxing Day Supper (65 Euro per person)
Aperitivo followed by buffet supper prepared by our pizza chef with ice cream from
World Champion Ice Cream maker, Palmiro!



CONTACT SALLY ANN AT info@lapreghiera.com 0039 075 9302428


*Tariff based on two people sharing a bedroom:
Master bedroom – 625 Euro per person
Superior bedroom – 700 Euro per person
Superior Plus bedroom – 775 Euro per person
Suite – 850 Euro per person

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

TRUFFLE AND OLIVE OIL COOKERY COURSE AND EUROCHOCOLATE 2006 La Preghiera, Città di Castello, Perugia, Umbria.



new!!!!RYANAIR FLIGHTS FROM PERUGIA TO STANSTED!


For ten days every October, the Umbrian capital of Perugia celebrates a full-scale love affair with chocolate. And for a long weekend every November, nearby Città di Castello gets festive in honour of the Italian delicacy of truffles. And when you stay at nearby La Preghiera, you can tuck-in to a traditional slice of Umbria whilst enjoying the luxuries of a restored 12th Century monastery oozing with style, comfort and period character.

Truffles and chocolate – two key ingredients of Italian cuisine. So where better to bite into the real Italy than in the gourmet region of Umbria? Home to the truffle and with a goumet reputation that has surpassed that of neighbouring regions, Umbria is the destination for serious foodies, truffle hunters and anyone who wants to step into Mama Italia’s kitchen. Discover your nose for truffle hunting, enjoy smooth indulgence at the chocolate festival, let loose your inner chef on an Italian cookery course, source the best local produce in vibrant markets, and feast in authentic trattorias.

Situated in the heart of Italy, La Preghiera, originally a 12th Century Monastery and now privately owned, has been beautifully converted to a charming and unique, luxury bijou country house, available for exclusive holidays. La Preghiera retains many original features that have been fused with creature comforts, modern amenities and stylish décor, to create five-star country house accommodation and is surrounded by several acres of landscaped gardens, with a private chapel and eco friendly swimming pool, all encompassed by lush countryside and the foothills of the Apenines.

For a delicious treat to coincide with the truffle festival, La Preghiera is running one of its frequent Italian Cookery Courses. Arrrive on Thursday 2 November to settle in to your luxury accommodation in the green heart of Italy and meet your Italian cooks. In addition to a hands-on experience making ravioli and tagliatelle, antipasto and desserts, you will visit an oil mill to see how Olive Oil is pressed, take a trip to the truffle fair, and visit the thriving local markets where you can savour the atmosphere, the smells and stock up on fresh local ingredients. The final cookery lesson takes place on Sunday morning but you are welcome to stay on and enjoy more of the treasures La Preghiera has to offer.

For the Chocoholics, the Perugia Chocolate Festival is held from 14-22 October 2006 (www.eurochocolate.com). Perugia is home to the biggest chocolate festival, with chocolate sculptures, chocolate cocktails, chocolate head-wear, chocolate-themed discos and this year a chocolate building site is being set up. Stay nearby at La Preghiera and join-in this extraordinary meeting of a million chocoholics.

0039 075 9302428
info@lapreghiera.com

Thursday, October 05, 2006

EUROCHOCOLATE - PERUGIA 2006



After its huge success last year with over 1,000,000 visitors, an actual chocolate building site is being set up for the thirteenth delicious edition of Eurochocolate, which will be held in Perugia from 14th to 22nd October 2006.

Punctual and original every year, the title of the next edition of this tasty fair is: “Costruttori di dolcezze” (“Makers of sweet things”).

Anyone who has a sweet tooth and all those who do not, are encouraged to build a life on positive grounds, as good….as chocolate!

Naturally, chocolate will once again be the only, inimitable and undisputed star of this renowned event. This product, which is loved by everyone, finds a perfect setting here, in the Chocolate City par excellence..
Eurochocolate 2006 is an event to suite all tastes; taking part will be a sin…of gluttony!
Stay nearby at La Preghiera, www.lapreghiera.com and you can tuck in to a traditional slice of Umbria whilst enjoying the luxuries of a restored 12th Century monastery oozing with style and comfort! For info: email at info@lapreghiera.com - phone to 0039 075 9302428.
FROM DECEMBER RYANAIR FLIGHTS FROM PERUGIA!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Up to 35% off property costs in Umbria’s Upper Tiber Valley!!!

The 2006 buying season is drawing to a close, building stock clearance needs to be undertaken, and the books need to be balanced, so all historic country houses remaining unsold on our current list are discounted by 10%, providing the sale is completed in every aspect by the 31st December 2006.

In December RyanAir are opening their Stanstead/Assisi-Perugia route which will result, very quickly, in pushing up the prices in our area between Lake Trasimeno / Cortona / Citta di Castello and Umbertide. Secure the sale now and save this inevitable increase of at least 10%. Fares are currently being offered for one cent!!!

Buy a piece, or the whole of 001, 002, 003, 004, 008, 009, 014, 015, 016, 017, 026, 103, 250, 379, 502, or 556 before 31st December 2006 and no 5% sales commission will be charged on the transaction.

Buy something from our list before Easter of next year and save the annual 10% price increase enjoyed by this area.

Book now a FREE weekend consultation at La Preghiera, where you will be able to learn all the items listed under our “consultancy” heading on our website www.propertiesumbria.com, and enjoy accompanied site visits, in order to understand the basic principles of building in Umbria, Italy.



For room rates at La Preghiera see www.lapreghiera.com


Hope to meet you soon

Best wishes

John Tunstill