A House and all that Jazz For Sale in Umbria, Italy

How would you like to have your very own a country retreat in a quiet medieval village in the heart of Italy? A place which enjoys glorious views of the surrounding countryside, and which is not far from Italy’s eternal city -Rome.  If so, there is a house for sale which might be of interest.

Situated in the midst of the unspoilt Italian region of Umbria in a gorgeous medieval village, the house for sale is not far from the truly spectacular Marmore Falls, the highest waterfalls in Europe.

Jazz fans may be interested to hear that the annual Umbria Jazz festival is held in Perugia, which is about an hour away by car.

Far away from the hubbub of the big city, this home for sale has been restored and is ready to move into.  The house is located within in a village so tranquil that you will probably be able to hear yourself unwinding.  As an added bonus, cars are not allowed into the centre of the village, so you’ll be able to sleep in without having to be worried about being awakened rudely by some passing Ferrari or Ducati.

There are plenty of other attractions too, such as the breathtakingly beautiful views you’ll wake up to.  And with the addition of a pleasant roof terrace, how about breakfasting whilst gazing out over the lush green Umbrian countryside?  In the evenings you could chat to a few guests over a prosecco based aperitif.  Sheer bliss.

All this must sound rather tempting, so if you would like to know a little more, and see a few photographs of the house and its fabulous views, then please read on to find out more about Casa Manuela.

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Cashmere Fashion Made in Italy – Brunello Cucinelli

Not all capitalists are money grabbing monsters.  Indeed some capitalists, such as Italian cashmere clothing producer Brunello Cucinelli, plough some of their profits back into society to make it a better place.

Brunello Cucinelli’s philosophy of ethical capitalism is an example of capitalism at its best, or neo-capitalism, as some may refer to it.  Brunello Cucinelli, the man behind the company, is also very good at what he does, with his cashmere fashion company being highly profitable, and he is a keen exponent of ‘Made in Italy’.

Brunello Cucinelli’s company is weathering the current economic crisis exceptionally well.  Not only did Brunello Cucinelli manage to increase profits, but the cashmere company further bucked the Italian trend by taking on 15 more staff.

It will perhaps come as no surprise to hear that Brunello Cucinelli has attained some recognition for his entrepreneurial prowess. Read more

Finding affordable property in Umbria

On a visit to Gubbio a few years ago with my Italian fiancée, I told her I thought Umbria was very much like Cumbria but without the C.

Proud Italian that she was, she took it as an insult, having once endured a wet weekend in Cumbria’s Lake District in North-West England. And, cheap wordplay to one side, I can see why she was a little miffed.  Given a choice between Umbria and the chilly, hilly countryside of Cumbria, I know which I’d pick.

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