CHEAP VILLA RENTALS IN ITALY’S UMBRIAN REGION

The Upper Tiber Valley in the north of Umbria is an area of peace and tranquillity, set in this verdant countryside are two villa rental properties that in response to the current credit crunch have reduced their tariffs to attract foreign travellers. The three bedroom converted barn, Villa Moscatelli offers access to a swimming pool, a gorgeous mature garden and side open spaces in which to walk or take a horse ride.

Situated between the towns of Citta di Castello, Umbertide, Montone and Cortona, there are another ten medieval hilltop villages nearby to explore. The area boasts forty restaurants, bars and shops and an exciting collection of Renaissance art locally. La Preghiera a large, restored nine bedroomed monastery is the perfect venue to hold that fairytale wedding, family get together or overdue reunion is easily accessible with Perugia airport only 40 minutes away.

Umbria Jazz 09 - July 10 - 19

A great event !

The summer jazz Festival is back in Umbria with its old formula, meaning artistic quality that matches big numbers.

Umbria Jazz 09: 36 years of history 7 editions at Arena Santa Giuliana as main stage10 days of concerts (10 – 19 July )9 stages including the ones at the Arena,

the theatres, squares and restaurants220 events, free for the most part550 performers66 Grammy Awards on the main stage at the ArenaThe eclectic line-up of Umbria Jazz Festival tells the spectators at what extent music can be different and the reasons why,

if we talk about good music, it all deserves attention. Popular songwriters will be performing in Perugia ( Paolo Conte, Burt Bacharach, James Taylor) along with some extreme vanguards ( Cecil Taylor and George Lewis presenting the AACM project)and the sophisticated accredited pop authors (Steely Dan and Simply Red);the orthodox jazz with McCoy Tyner and Bill Frisell, the Roy Haynes Trio, Ahmad Jamal) ;

the ever-green standards (three tributes to Nat King Cole: George Benson with a big string orchestra, the crooner Allan Harris, Freddy Cole, the great singer’s brother) and the Black music (BB King, Solomon Burke, Maceo Parker, John Scofield with the New Orleans project).

It is worth mentioning the two encounters between the USA and Italy with Wynton Marsalis –Francesco Cafiso and the never seen before duo Chick Corea – Stefano Bollani. Charles Mingus music will be celebrated with the Mingus Dynasty and Quintorigo. Italian Jazz will be well represented, as usual with, among the others Enrico Rava, Paolo Fresu, Gianluca Petrella, Enrico Pieranunzi, Renato Sellani, Danilo Rea, Roberto Gatto and Gabriele Mirabassi, plus the curious “intrusion” of Gino Paoli who shares a good feeling with the jazz music.

www.umbriajazz.com