In Vienna, Austria I rode a bicycle around the city for 10 hours.
In the video, I go to the old city center, get ice cream at Zanoni's (a famous old ice cream parlor), and then I ride up a hill on the outskirts of town to get a good view of the city.
Umbria , untouched by mass tourism , has preserve…moreUmbria , untouched by mass tourism , has preserved the magic and richness of its past. So Let iexplore guide you on this magical Luxury wine tour where you’ll meet the great winemakers, the great chefs and the great artists of this land….
Your trip start in the middle of stunning vineyards right outside Perugia at the luxurious start Borgo Brufa resort.
Tasting at the Goretti winery is in their 14th century tower where you’ll drink their colliperugini and sagrantino and have lunch in full view of Perugia.
Perugia will stun you with its perfect renaissance architecture.
Chef Imperio will introduce you to Umbrian cooking at his cooking school.
You’ll visit Lungarotti, a pioneer in winemaking in Umbria and taste its excellent Rubesco.
You’ll love its world class wine museum.
Taste Sportoletti great red Assisi Rosso.
Assisi is a dazzling city that will draw you into an enchanted time warp experience.
Right across from beautiful Todi you’ll stay at the Roccafiore Luxury Resort
with its own winery and a cuisine that is a blend of home made and sophistication.
At Cantina Peppucci housed in a 13th century abbey you’ll taste their excellent Petroro Red.
Taste the superb Nero della Cervara with Mr Todini then have lunch at his resort with a view.
Todi is so picturesque it feels like a movie set.
Taste the simple foods of Umbria where ingredients and preparation have remained traditional and flavours are brought out singing with their wines to in perfect harmony.
Orvieto’s wine history goes back to the Etruscan and the cathedral carvings of vines from the 13th century bear witness to this tradition.
You’ll be staying at Locanda Palazzone owned by the Dubini brothers is a 13th century palazzo turned into a luxry resort surrounded by vineyards. The brothers make superb whites like Terre Vineate.
Decugnano dei Barbi makes a unique Decugnano brut and ages it in cellar exacavetd in the lava rock.
Castello della sala owned by the antinoris is a 1000 acres estate with top wines like cervaro della sala.
Sagrantino is only grown in Montefalco area and marco Capri is one of the architects of its success with its warded Sagrantino Collepiano.
Taste the food and wine of Montefalco and then view the remarkable frescos by Benozzo Gozzoli in the Museum of St Francis.
Paolo Bea’s family has been on these hills since the 1500’s and he makes sagrantino with a great commitment to environmental standards.
Meet Salvatore Denaro, a true fellinian chef who grows all of his own food and parties with his patrons.
After this magical tour with iexplore.com, Umbria will stay with you forever. For more information on this privately guided, dream luxury wine tour call us at 1-800 iexplore or visit iexplore.com
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Torgiano Umbria. This is the Lungarotti kigdom. …moreTorgiano Umbria. This is the Lungarotti kigdom. With an estate of 700 acres the Lungarotti family is a leading wine producer in Italy and the region. Its wines are distributed to 35 countries around the world. In Torgiano they operates a wine Museum considered one of the best in the world, an olive oil Museum rich with the history of this Mediterranean staple. They also own a 4 star Hotel restaurant called Le 3 Vaselle. Here chef Domenico Imperio with many national awards to his name creates outstanding dishes for the restaurant. Here at the 3 Vaselle he shares his knowledge and recipes . less
In Vienna, Austria I rode a bicycle around the ci…moreIn Vienna, Austria I rode a bicycle around the city for 10 hours.
In the video, I go to the old city center, get ice cream at Zanoni's (a famous old ice cream parlor), and then I ride up a hill on the outskirts of town to get a good view of the city. less
Austria is country of movement; appreciate the ec…moreAustria is country of movement; appreciate the eclectic European dance styles shot by renowned director Curt Faudon less
This is Florence, city of dreams.
A few step…moreThis is Florence, city of dreams.
A few steps from the Duomo is Piazza Annunziata, one of the most beautiful squares in the city and right next to it is a Bed and Breakfast with some of the most breathtaking views of Florence.
To call it Bed and Breakfast is an understatement. because Home in Palace is on the top floor of one of the grandest palaces in Florence: Palazzo Capponi All’Annunziata.
Does this really look like a B&B?
This monumental Palace with its Italian gardens was built in the 18th century by Alessandro Capponi from one of the oldest Florentine banking families. The frescoes are considered among the best of Florentine Baroque art.
Here in this amazing historical Palazzo you can just come to sleep or let your imagination run wild and throw a party for a thousand,
You might even want to get married here and if you’re married already you probably will want to get remarried in these sumptuous spaces.
You might just want to be here for the simple life: to be pampered, with luxury, style and comfort.
Home in Palace. Your palace in Florence
www.palazzocapponiallannunziata.it
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Every once in a while, you have to live a fairy t…moreEvery once in a while, you have to live a fairy tale. We celebrated New Year's Eve, Dec 31 2007, in Vienna at the Imperial Ball or Kaiserball. From the moment you entered the Hofburg Palace until you reluctantly left, it was pure and simple magic. Imagine a night with Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Sissi of the Hapsburg dynasty. To this day the afterglow has continued. Happy New Year 2008.
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Sagrantino is a unique grape only grown in the Mo…moreSagrantino is a unique grape only grown in the Montefalco Assisi area. It was probably brought here in the 1400’s by Franciscan monks followers of St Francis. The sweet wine has been drunk by locals on weddings and Easter ever since.
In the 70’s Arnaldo Caprai bought 10 acres of land and decided to focus on this old vine and for the first time make a dry red wine.
In the 80 his son Marco who had graduated as an enologyst brought to the winery a desire to experiment and innovate. The Caprai’s convinced the University of Milan to come on board on a research project to clone the various strains of old Sagrantino vines which were on the verge of disappearing. The experiment was very successful and the rest is history. In 1992 the top appellation DPCG was awarded to sagrantino winning Caprai international recognition and many awards.
Under strict Italian law, "Montefalco Sagrantino Secco" DOCG defines a wine guaranteed to come exclusively from Sagrantino grapes, exclusively from the Province of Perugia
Secco means dry. The wine ages for 30 months, of which at least 12 in oak barrels. This wine is a DOCG, the highest-ranking category of Italian wine denominations
Sagrantino di Montefalco, is a DOCG wine that must be made from 100 percent Sagrantino. Most wines in the world are made from the same 5-6 different types of grapes. Sagrantino di Montefalco is unique because it is made from a single grape and only made here.
Sagrantino di Montefalco Collepiani first produced in 1979 is possibly the star of the collection.
Caprai still produces Sagrantino di Montefalco Passito (also DOCG), the sweet wine that gave birth to the modern sagrantino . Today thanks to Caprai this wine once almost forgotten is drunk the world over.
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We are in Puglia at the heel of Italy. This is a …moreWe are in Puglia at the heel of Italy. This is a land rich with tradition, history and art.
In the town of Grottaglie we find that the ceramic tradition brought to this area by the Greeks in the second century BC is still alive today. In fact Grottaglie, because of its large clay deposits, has been an uninterrupted center of ceramic production until today. And the contemporary master ceramist is Nicola Fasano.
An ancestor of his, Francesco Nicola opened a ceramic store in Grottagle in 1623. These figures are inspired by the baroque ceramics of that period.
But there is more. The Fasano workshop has been using an ancient oven but no one knew how old until an archeologists did some research.
VO: The analysis done with carbon 14 has revealed that this oven dates back to 2,400 years ago.
Generations of Fasanos have passed on their knowledge to their descendants. Today they have 30 ceramists, designers, modelers and enamelers , among the most talented in the field producing. ceramics known for their high quality and stylish design.
Their work is now seen in the most prestigious stores and museums around the world. 18 generations of Fasanos have proven that by sticking passionately to their craft they can survive and thrive for centuries in an uncertain world of short lived fads.
www.fasanocnf.it
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On My way to the World Rally ChampionshipIn Gteat…moreOn My way to the World Rally ChampionshipIn Gteat britain, I had a few moments to walk around the World heritage site of Stonehenge. I'm your host Michael Murphy and this is Destination Unknown stonehenge less
Just a few kilometers from Florence, in the hills…moreJust a few kilometers from Florence, in the hills below Fiesole, with a full view of the Duomo is the charming residence hotel called Eden Rock.
Built by world famous race car driver Clemente Biondetti in the 50’s and carved into the rugged mountain that frames it, the Eden Rock is a modern version of the many castles which dot the tuscan country site.
With a beaituful pool and Jacuzzi,an open air lobby dug out of the rock and covered with copper tiles,
it has 13 suites in all with every comfort plus a cellar club stocked with vintage wine from Tuscany.
And just a few minutes way Florence beckons in all its glory.
Via Bolognese Nuova, 7
50139 Firenze (FI), Italy
+39 055 400331
www.edenrockresort.it
www.epoquehotels.com less
On My way to the World Rally Championship I had a…moreOn My way to the World Rally Championship I had a few moments to visit Bate England, Cardiff Castle, have a chat with Chris Atkinson and walk around the World heritage site of Stonehenge. I'm your host Michael Murphy and this is Destination Unknown Great Britain. less
Austria's winter season brings movement of cross …moreAustria's winter season brings movement of cross country skiers, and a traditional costumed dance.
Directed by Curt Faudon less
Far from the madding crowd.... EmmaOntheLoose in …moreFar from the madding crowd.... EmmaOntheLoose in Devon, England. Featuring Exmoor Ponies & The National Trust. less
Feel the excitement of Austria; from the charming country side to the exquisite…moreFeel the excitement of Austria; from the charming country side to the exquisite food. Austria will overwhelm your senses. Created by acclaimed feature film director Curt Faudon. less
Austria is country of movement; appreciate the eclectic European dance styles s…moreAustria is country of movement; appreciate the eclectic European dance styles shot by renowned director Curt Faudon less
Austria's water falls from the skies like magic, flows down the rivers, and cra…moreAustria's water falls from the skies like magic, flows down the rivers, and crashes in a crescendo of human movement. Directed by Curt Faudon less
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