WELCOME TO CIAO TRASIMENO
YOUR HOLIDAY HOUSES IN PANICALE
IN THE BALCONY ON THE LAKE TRASIMENO
UMBRIA
Ciao Trasimeno is a free web site that will help you find the perfect place to stay for your holiday here in Panicale, the balcony on the Lake Trasimeno, or in the surrounding Lake Trasimeno area.We are a group of 12-15 owners of Villas, Townhouses and Apartments who decided, together with Katia Mughetti of Panicale, to create this web site and advertise our properties directly. We are most fortunate to have our friend Katia, an effervescent and charming young Panicale native to facilitate this for us. She is a wonderful hostess, always happy to welcome you, our guests, and introduce you to this special and stunningly scenic part of Umbria. Katia, who has a degree in Art History and a background in tourism as well as real estate, is very knowledgeable and will be helpful in all aspects of your visit. She will be delighted to recommend the best restaurants, arrange cooking demonstrations with a local cook ( a grandmother or "nonna") followed by dinner, or organize outings for local wine and/or olive oil tastings. The last tow can also be a fun way to meet other visitors, very nice especially for those of you who are a planning a longer stay. Katia speaks fluent English and will tell you everything you need to know. If you would like, she will get in touch with you regularly and, most especially, will tell you about the many markets days, festivals and events taking place around the area, as well as advising on the most interesting and charming hill towns to visit. Her warmth and enthusiasm promises to make your trip a most memorable and special time.
All our guests fall in love with the Lake Trasimeno area, and especially the beautiful medieval village of Panicale. People here are very friendly,kind, and are delighted with foreigners attempts to speak and converse in Italian. With Katia as your guide, you will be taken in and truly become a appreciate why we all have choosen to call Panicale and the Lake Trasimeno area our home. Please contact Katia directly on our behalf. Have a fabolous holiday, enjoy your stay......and then write and tell us of your experience!!!
GRAZIE MILLE
ALL THE OWNERS + KATIA MUGHETTI
All our guests fall in love with the Lake Trasimeno area, and especially the beautiful medieval village of Panicale. People here are very friendly,kind, and are delighted with foreigners attempts to speak and converse in Italian. With Katia as your guide, you will be taken in and truly become a appreciate why we all have choosen to call Panicale and the Lake Trasimeno area our home. Please contact Katia directly on our behalf. Have a fabolous holiday, enjoy your stay......and then write and tell us of your experience!!!
GRAZIE MILLE
ALL THE OWNERS + KATIA MUGHETTI
Where PANICALE is and what to
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Panicale is a gem of a
medieval hilltown. A great tourist environment in Umbria featuring a medieval hilltown with streets arranged in an interesting oval pattern. Many apartments available to rent in the heart of town, just off the main piazza--there's great food and wine as well. Painter Masolino da Panicale lived here. Preserved are the city wall, towers, the church of Saint Michele Arcangelo, the Palazzo Pretorio and the Palazzo del Podestà. Some things you do with friends and lovers. Travel may be one of them. We leave the rest up to you. Panicale is 6 km south of Lake Trasimeno, the largest lake in central Italy, where Hannibal defeated an entire Roman legion in 217 BC. And in the center of the valley – 15 miles away – stands proud Montepulciano, another of Tuscany’s jewels, noted for its delicious “Vino Nobile” wines.Further north lies the provincial capital of Arezzo which houses, in the Church of San Francesco, the exceptional murals of Piero della Francesca, depicting the horrors of the Battle of Anghiari and the Legend of the True Cross. Panicale is situated on the Umbria/Tuscany border, boasting the unsurpassed natural beauty of local vineyards, endless sunflower fields and olives groves and acres of fig trees. While walking and hiking is an excellent way to explore thismemorable area, Panicale is close by car or local train to Perugia, Montepulciano, Brunello di Montalcino and the Chianti area, Cortona, Passignano, Castiglion del Lago, Chiusi, Castiglion Fiorentino, Arezzo, Pienza, Orvieto, Assisi, Gubbio, Siena, Pisa, Lucca and of course Rome and Florence. Plenty of sporting opportunities await; tennis is minutes away in one of several tennis facilities, boating and water sports abound on Lake Trasimeno (not to mention the festive Riviera atmosphere in the cafes and restaurants along the shore), a family water park is minutes away, bike rentals are available nearby to cycle the miles and miles of scenic waterfront or picturesque countryside. And if you choose to remain in friendly Panicale four highly popular restaurants are sure to satisfy the most demanding palate. Enjoy a gelato at Aldo’s Bar afterwards as nightly weekend entertainment performs under the stars during summer months in the main piazza. Then take a meandering stroll through the narrow cobblestoned streets which lead up to the romantic and secluded Piazza del Podestà, overlooking the twinkling lights of Lake Trasimeno, below. |
ABOUT PANICALE
Panicale is an excellent base from which to explore
the wonderful Tuscan and Umbrian
hilltowns. Best accessed by car, the
hilltowns are abundant in this area. To the north about 10 minutes by car is
Castiglione del Lago, a lovely town on a narrow peninsula on Lake Trasimeno.
Further along is Cortona, (about 35 minutes from Panicale). A drive around the
lake will take you to Tuoro and Passignano. Both towns (as well as others) have
ferry service to access the three islands on the lake. To the northwest, about
50 minutes, is Siena. To the northeast about 30 minutes is Perugia, to the south
are Todi and Orvieto (both about 45 minutes).
Other nearby Tuscan hill towns are: Chiusi with its Etruscan museum and tombs;
Montepulciano, home of the famous Vino Nobile; Pienza, one Pope's ideal city; and San Casciano dei Bagni with it's wonderful day spa and mineral baths. Nearby
Umbrian hill towns are: Citta della Pieve, the birthplace of Renaissance artist Perugino; Assisi, the home of Saint Francis; as well as Spoleto, Bevagna,Montefalco, Spello, Deruta and Gubbio.
All of these interesting towns can be reached as a day trip and each has its own special attractions. Rome and Florence can be easily visited by driving 20 minutes to the Chiusi train station, leaving the car and taking an InterCity
train an hour to Florence or to Rome. It's a relaxing way to visit these large cities and return to the tranquility of Panicale at the end of the day.
the wonderful Tuscan and Umbrian
hilltowns. Best accessed by car, the
hilltowns are abundant in this area. To the north about 10 minutes by car is
Castiglione del Lago, a lovely town on a narrow peninsula on Lake Trasimeno.
Further along is Cortona, (about 35 minutes from Panicale). A drive around the
lake will take you to Tuoro and Passignano. Both towns (as well as others) have
ferry service to access the three islands on the lake. To the northwest, about
50 minutes, is Siena. To the northeast about 30 minutes is Perugia, to the south
are Todi and Orvieto (both about 45 minutes).
Other nearby Tuscan hill towns are: Chiusi with its Etruscan museum and tombs;
Montepulciano, home of the famous Vino Nobile; Pienza, one Pope's ideal city; and San Casciano dei Bagni with it's wonderful day spa and mineral baths. Nearby
Umbrian hill towns are: Citta della Pieve, the birthplace of Renaissance artist Perugino; Assisi, the home of Saint Francis; as well as Spoleto, Bevagna,Montefalco, Spello, Deruta and Gubbio.
All of these interesting towns can be reached as a day trip and each has its own special attractions. Rome and Florence can be easily visited by driving 20 minutes to the Chiusi train station, leaving the car and taking an InterCity
train an hour to Florence or to Rome. It's a relaxing way to visit these large cities and return to the tranquility of Panicale at the end of the day.
PANICALE, MY LOVELY MEDIEVAL VILLAGE on the Lake Trasimeno
The town is a well preserved medieval village but it has all of the conveniences of modern day life. It is located in the hills above Lago Trasimeno with views over the lake and the surrounding countryside.
There are three restaurants,
three grocery stores, a bank, a bakery and a
few other small shops. There are two cafes in the lovely fountain-graced piazza. A walk around the medieval walls on the exterior ring road affords spectacular views in all directions, panoramas of wooded hills, terraces of olive groves, and the beautiful ever changing Lake Trasimeno. The lovely 18th century restored Teatro Caporale has regular concerts and other cultural events. There are several churches, two of which house famous paintings. One, is the not to be missed Martyrdom of St. Stephen by Perugino, not at all the usual gloomy, gory depiction but a radiant, colorful, and joyful painting of a saint in the making. The other by Massolino di Panicale is also certainly noteworthy. The lace museum has regular exhibits in addition to their permanent collection. There are regular festivals in and around Panicale, including the grape festival in September, the chestnut festival in October and a unique celebration of Easter which includes the rolling of a giant wheel of cheese!
few other small shops. There are two cafes in the lovely fountain-graced piazza. A walk around the medieval walls on the exterior ring road affords spectacular views in all directions, panoramas of wooded hills, terraces of olive groves, and the beautiful ever changing Lake Trasimeno. The lovely 18th century restored Teatro Caporale has regular concerts and other cultural events. There are several churches, two of which house famous paintings. One, is the not to be missed Martyrdom of St. Stephen by Perugino, not at all the usual gloomy, gory depiction but a radiant, colorful, and joyful painting of a saint in the making. The other by Massolino di Panicale is also certainly noteworthy. The lace museum has regular exhibits in addition to their permanent collection. There are regular festivals in and around Panicale, including the grape festival in September, the chestnut festival in October and a unique celebration of Easter which includes the rolling of a giant wheel of cheese!
MANY MANY TESTIMONIALS
PANICALE FOR US
Jacky from Australia
We chose Panicale to start our 6 month long term rental to see how we could adjust to permanent life living in Italy to be closer to our adult children. We could not have picked a more perfect location. Panicale is beautiful and we watched all 4 seasons evolve during our time. We lived in an ancient house on the wall and the views were stunning. Winter was quiet - perfect for us as we were still commuting back to UK for work - Friday evenings spent in Aldo's bar on the cozy sofas drinking wonderful wine and eating Aldo's changing appertisers...very yummy. The lovely Katia was the perfect hostess....extremely efficient, sorting all problems instantly and making us feel a special part of the community of Panicale. 
Janelle from California We have just returned to California after spending the month of March in Panicale. The Il Podesta apartment was a perfect home away from home for us. We are a couple in our 50's, and have been to Italy several times. This was our longest stay, and we loved it. Il Podesta was just what we needed. It had everything to make our stay comfortable. I cooked in the kitchen many times, after shopping at the local markets, which are wonderful. We enjoyed the fireplace almost every evening, it was so sweet.. the heating system was also excellent. The descriptions and photos show the apartment very well. It was great having the second bathroom downstairs off the bedroom. The bedroom had more space than we thought, from the photo. Really comfortable. I had no trouble using the washing machine, and enjoyed drying our things in the sun, as the locals do. The terrace was great..we had lunches there, enjoying the stunning views across the valley, and listening to the birds! Our hostess, Katia, was the best. I really can't say enough good things about her. She was easy to connect with through emails, and was right there to meet us when we arrived. We loved the treats waiting in apartment,(wine and chocolates!) and felt right at home instantly. Katia really made our trip so special with her warmth and energy. She and her lovely family live nearby, so she was available, but not at all intrusive. We can't wait to go back and see her and her family again next year! We miss you, Katia! Panicale itself is a dream hilltown. We had a car..I think you need one. My husband is an artist, and there was plenty to be inspired by. It is perfectlylocated to explore both Umbria and Tuscany. We had a great time just heading out in any direction. There are great restaurants in Panicale, and Bar Gallo is a perfect local hangout. Mr. Gallo was so helpful giving us ideas of new places to explore. He is a great host, as well. There are train connections nearby in Chiusi and Castiglione del Lago, which we did use. We would recommend Il Podesta Apartment for a couple or single person..there are stairs, but we had no problem. Mille Grazie to Katia and Il Podesta! See you soon! 
Charlotte from Vermount
There are so many reasons why I love Panicale. I always have a fantastic time there. It is one of the most beautiful and unspoiled hilltop towns in Umbria. The people are friendly and helpful. The town is lively and vibrant during festivals. My favorites are the chestnut festival, and of course, the charming festival of the grape.There is nothing that compares to sitting in the piazza, sipping wine, while a band plays 80's rock and roll under the stars! You will find restaurants, coffee bars, and breathtaking medieval artwork. If you want an authentic Umbrian experience, contact Katia for a house rental. She is a wealth of information and one of the nicest people I have ever met. 
Linda from UK Buongiorno Dear Katia, Massimo and Family, We loved our time in Panicale and will write the very best review. It was our favourite holiday ever!Everybody was so friendly and kind. Thank you so very much for your care and attention during our visit. We are now missing Panicale and all the lovely people we met. Please keep in touch and love to all your family. With love, Linda, Lawrence and Family xx Leonida from NY We have stayed in Panicale many times and always come back to this beautiful medieval village. With the help of Katia our vacation experience has been delightful. Katia always has a smile and a warm welcome, she speaks English, knows the area well. In our recent vacation we stayed at La Dimore Di Elisa in Panicale, a beautiful 500 year old house with a beautiful garden overlooking the lake. I would highly recommend Katia for booking your stay and for her great recommendations on what to see in the area. Thank you Katia for all your help and hospitality. Elizabeth and James Ciao Katia, Panicale, from it's vantage point high above Lake Trasimeno, is the ideal location to visit the best of Umbria and Tuscany. The visitas are stunning ,where, on a clear day, Cortona and Montepulciano are in sight. and Castiglione del Lago can be seen sitting on a promontory in Lake Trasimeno. The lake often looks emerald green with three jewels of islands sitting on it. Isola Polvese, one of the islands is worth a visit, for it's historical significance, nature and a nice walk. The hill town of Panicale is above several small hamlets with abundant olive groves, grapes and fields of grain. There were red poppies filling the fields when we were there in the spring.Many trails encircle this lovely town to satisfy any hiker. Inside the medieval walls of Panicale you will find the center of daily life in the main piazza. The people of Panicale are warm, kind and proud of their town. Everyone goes to Bar Gallo, "Aldo's",where you will find locals but also, Americans, Australians, Brits, Canadians, along with other nationalities. Along with great food and wine at the restaurants, Panicale also boasts a fine assortment of Renaissance masterpieces. We were fortunate enough to meet Katia, and rent Sogno Panicalese, which she manages. It is an in-town palazzo, comfortably appointed with a well equipped kitchen and great bathrooms. The house comes with WI-FI and is within a 3 minute walk to restaurants, bar, markets, etc..... a great location. All the rooms are spacious and airy. The rooftop terrace displays a superb view of the country side and Panicale. Before we arrived in spring, Katia had filled the pots on the roof with lovely flowers......how welcoming that was. Katia lives in Panicale, so she and her husband Massimo are good resources for places to go around Panicale, We have peace of mind knowing they are around if we are in need of something or information. They both speak English. We have stayed at Sogno Panicalese a couple of times, it is perfect for our needs. Katia makes the arrangements with the owners, and when we arrive to Panicale she is there to greet us..always with a smile! We are already planning our next visit to Panicale. Our 4th trip to Italy and the second time we rented a house in a hill top village...first time in Cortona and this time in Katia's wonderful small Panicale.Found Panicale to be much smaller than Cortona but more relaxing and due to Katia,s attention to making us comfortable more friendly. It seems that every one knows and likes Katia, for good reason as she is most friendly and helpful but not in a "pushy" way I enjoyed meeting her husband Massimo who told me all about the olive trees on his property.Every thing that Katia says in her web site about the house and Panicale is accurate. The restaurants we frequented, Masolino and Lillo Tatini had food to die for as well as friendly owners and the house red wine was the best! The little market up the hill...Linda and her daughter own was an easy walk to keep us supplied with fruit, meats cheese and wine to enjoy at our house in the afternoon before going out to dinner. We had a car and took daily trips in the area and highly recommend Umbria Terra e Sole in Castiglione for lunch, say hello to Marsida and Erica who helped us enjoy. We agree with every one else that has written notes that Aldo's Bar Gallo is the center of the town square for morning, noon and night food and refreshments. In closing...we had a wonderful visit to Panicale and hopefully we will be able to return some day. Jody When my husband and i retired we gave ourselves the present of a year in Italy and landed in Umbria at one of Katia's houses. We now live in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Each day the light and colors shift on the hillsides as the farmers plant new crops. The gardens around our house have given us cherries, plums, apricots, pears and now figs and we are waiting for the olive harvest for our own olive oil. Everyone we have met in this beautiful place has opened their arms to us -- cooked for us, introduced us to others, made sure we knew about the festivals and especially the town dinners! We can't believe our luck to be in the Paciano/Panicale area and to have Katia as our guide. Who knows, this year may turn into two or three or ?? Denny and Connie Buonasera Katia — Hi and we really are missing you and Panicale!! We posted our review on VRBO today. However, I don’t see the review when I just visited the VRBO internet sight. I hope it got posted properly! Please give our love to Massimo and the boys and know how much we appreciate you and your wonderful hospitality to us. Ciao, Eileen from Hawaii Your Ciao Trasimeno website is fabulous! What a wonderful way to share the love and introduce visitors to your little piece of heaven. It's such a welcoming community that I instantly fell in love with it, and can hardly wait for the opportunity to return sometime with my husband, Rob (who gallantly stayed home with the kids this visit). Thanks again, Katia, for helping to make it a special visit. Peter and Jean from UK Last summer, my wife and I decided to spend the winter in a typical Umbrian hill town. We had the thought that the overwhelming majority of visitors would travel to the region in the spring or summer, but that it would be more of a test to give it a try in the depths of winter. We came across the village of Panicale, showcased on the Ciao Trasimeno website and it proved to be an inspired choice. We arrived at the beginning of November and took up residence in Il Roseto, conveniently located right outside the walls of this outstanding village. This property is perfectly positioned right outside the walls of the village and outside, the property has a large and pleasingly private garden, with a table and 4 chairs which was ideal for lunchtime. We also enjoyed it at night when the stars came out to offer a spectacular display overhead. Overall then, Il Roseto proved to be a terrific place for us to stay, containing all of the features I've described and also superbly situated just outside the walls of the brilliant village of Panicale, which besides being magnificently well preserved also contains 3 really fine restaurants, some shops, a pharmacy, a theatre, a post office, a doctor's surgery and a bank. From its significantly elevated position there are breathtaking views towards Lake Trasimeno on one side and a lush valley on the other, with mountains in the distance. On top of that, it's perfectly positioned to visit anywhere in Umbria or Tuscany, as well as Rome too. Nevertheless, in spite of all of those undoubted attributes I would unhesitatingly agree with practical everybody else who has ever had the pleasure of staying here, in that the jewel in the crown is the property manager Katia Mughetti. Look through the Ciao Trasimeno website and you'll find a never ending list of glowing testaments to her attention to detail, genuine concern for her guests and her all-round warmth and infectious personality. She's always there whenever you need anything and yet never too obtrusive. We both really looked forward to her every visit, when she was checking that everything was to our satisfaction. She could arrange anything and find a way around any pitfall it seemed. Whatever one suddenly decided was needed, if she didn't have it herself then she could always come up with a relative or friend who might have the answer. Panicale was really good for us, but Katia is unforgettable, along with her husband Massimo and the rest of her family, who we had the pleasure of visiting in their home on several occasions. Panicale is a great place to experience be assured. The village is everything I've described but its people are what you'll remember long after your stay has ended as well. Elisabetta from Lussemburgo Esperienza bellissima in famiglia. Posto ideale per passare qualche giorno in una location speciale. Tutto era perfetto. I casali, hanno tutto, ben tenuti, puliti e comodi. Il personale sempre pronto in qualunque momento ad intervenire per aiutarci ed assecondarci in qualunque nostro desiderio. Lo consiglio vivamente, senza se e senza ma! Da provare assolutamente. Giuseppe from Lussemburgo Panicale e' un posto incantevole. Sembra che il tempo si sia fermato, Il borgo e' sicuramente tra i piu' belli d'Italia, ma la disponibilita' e la cordialita' delle persone rende questo posto magic Giuliano Veni, Vidi, comprato. I came. I saw, I bought! After stumbling across Panicale several years ago on a vacation to Italy, we came back annualy and rented the boldrino apartment for several years. Then we purchased a house on via del filatoio. We look forward to our bi-annual trips to this lovely town. Have made friends with locals and expats that frequent the place. People come and go but the magnet that is Panicale is as strong as ever. USEFUL LINKS TO DISCOVER UMBRIA: www.regioneumbria.eu www.lagotrasimeno.net 
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Laurie from Colorado
I stayed in bella Panicale for 5 weeks in May and June 2012. Off-the-charts spectacular experience! The townfolk were quite friendly, the restaurants totally scrumptious... and it was terrific to come home to a quiet village after spending the day touring the more famous hilltop villages of Tuscany and Umbria. Some days I just hung out in Panicale all day. savoring "la dolce vita"! Cooked several meals in my townhouse rental - wonderful produce and ingredients at the local stores... Linda hand-cuts her prosciutto for you... Yolanda gave me great tips on the finer points of Italian cooking and her husband, Enzio picked out the ripest, tastiest melons and such. The bakery bakes delightful focaccia (the onion was my favorite!). I'd take my morning coffee and evening gelato (sometimes mid-day gelato as well!) at either Aldo and Daniela's Gallo Bar or Pasquale's Caffe della Piazza. And both upscale bar/cafes offered tasty dishes if I was hungry for a meal. Speaking of meals, the food at both Ristorante Masolino's and Simone and Lorena's Il Pozzo nel Gallo were delicioso! Don't miss out on the canoli dessert at Il Pozzo... yum! I felt totally pampered by everyone! Katia, who manages several Panicale rentals, was a delight to work with - she was available whenever I needed her, but didn't intrude. She gave suggestions on what to see and do allaround the area. Katia scheduled a wonderful cook, Rosanna, to come prepare a feast for us, and we participated in some of the preparation... fried zucchini blossoms with lemon slices... ricotta/spinach ravioli in a tomato sauce... mixed greens salad (from Rosanna's garden!)... beef steak and roasted potatoes... and cantuccini (dipping cookies) with vin santo! What a gourmet meal, and such fun! 
Richard from Yorkshire
We own a house in Macchie and there is nothing we like better than to drive the short distance in the early evening to Panicale. We park the car at the first gate and walk along the terrace with the beautiful views of Lago Trasimeno. Then a campari and soda at Aldo's bar in the beautiful square of Panicale. Aldo is the most civilised bar for miles and he is charming. We have enjoyed meeting Janelle (see above) and her artist husband Johnny Apocada (see his web pages) in the bar on several occasions. 
ane from Boston
I lived in Italy for a few years and have traveled all over the country. Though each town is interesting, I usually only visit a place one time. However, Panicale is the exception. I keep coming back to Panicale because it is a truly unique and special town. I love the atmosphere of Panicale - it is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Italy, and it has wonderful art, fantastic festivals, excellent food, and the friendliest people. I can't wait to go back and visit again! Nan Panicale could well be the most charming small hilltown in Umbria! Janelle & Johnny Spring Dear Katia- We had such a wonderful time in Panicale, and enjoyed our lovely home away from home, Casa del Sarto…. As always, you were the perfect hostess, ready to help us when we needed it, and always available for anything that came up. We enjoyed spending time with you, Massimo, and your entire family, and we miss everyone so much! The apartment was perfect, our second time staying in Casa del Sarto for 2 months. We have great memories now…the beautiful fires in the evenings, meals cooked in the sweet kitchen, and waking up to the sound of all the birds outside the bedroom window. Of course, we love Panicale, and the entire Lago Trasimeno area…so many wonderful opportunities to enjoy nature, painting, a glass of wine by the lake, a great meal…or just doing nothing…it is a wonderful place to lose yourself. We can not wait to return. We can't thank you and the owners of the apartment enough. This year it really felt like home to us. I hope the flowers are ok, and that the next guests will enjoy them! Please let Steve know how much we love his apartment, and we hope to meet him some day! Ciao, Carissima! Anne Marie from Danimark If you want to have a good vacation in Panicale! Thankyou Katia For all you have done for 1 The guest who are always satisfied and happy with your excellent service 2 for the beautiful little town Panicale 3 for me personally. You are always disposable and a great help. I can recommand that you to rent house, apartment etc through Katia and I can assure you that EVERYTHING will be in order. She is very precise and a lovely girl and most important: She will do everything to give you a good vacation. Elizabeth and James Ciao Katia, Panicale, from it's vantage point high above Lake Trasimeno, is the ideal location to visit the best of Umbria and Tuscany. The visitas are stunning ,where, on a clear day, Cortona and Montepulciano are in sight. and Castiglione del Lago can be seen sitting on a promontory in Lake Trasimeno. The lake often looks emerald green with three jewels of islands sitting on it. Isola Polvese, one of the islands is worth a visit, for it's historical significance, nature and a nice walk. The hill town of Panicale is above several small hamlets with abundant olive groves, grapes and fields of grain. There were red poppies filling the fields when we were there in the spring.Many trails encircle this lovely town to satisfy any hiker. Inside the medieval walls of Panicale you will find the center of daily life in the main piazza. The people of Panicale are warm, kind and proud of their town. Everyone goes to Bar Gallo, "Aldo's",where you will find locals but also, Americans, Australians, Brits, Canadians, along with other nationalities. Along with great food and wine at the restaurants, Panicale also boasts a fine assortment of Renaissance masterpieces. We were fortunate enough to meet Katia, and rent Sogno Panicalese, which she manages. It is an in-town palazzo, comfortably appointed with a well equipped kitchen and great bathrooms. The house comes with WI-FI and is within a 3 minute walk to restaurants, bar, markets, etc..... a great location. All the rooms are spacious and airy. The rooftop terrace displays a superb view of the country side and Panicale. Before we arrived in spring, Katia had filled the pots on the roof with lovely flowers......how welcoming that was. Katia lives in Panicale, so she and her husband Massimo are good resources for places to go around Panicale, We have peace of mind knowing they are around if we are in need of something or information. They both speak English. We have stayed at Sogno Panicalese a couple of times, it is perfect for our needs. Katia makes the arrangements with the owners, and when we arrive to Panicale she is there to greet us..always with a smile! We are already planning our next visit to Panicale. Linda S. from N.Y. We could not have had a better trip to Italy. My husband and I stayed at the Sogno Panicalese with our 2 teenage daughters and we all had a great time. The trip to Panicale from the Rome airport was very easy. We took a train to Chiusi and rented a car and drove the 20 minute trip to Panicale. The village was gorgeous and the townhome was more than accommodating. The photos on the website cannot fully capture the luxuriousness of the townhome or the spectacular views. The views were truly breathtaking. The townhome was clean, spacious and had every amenity that was listed. We used the kitchen often and cooked fabulous meals with the local ingredients bought right in town. The people in the town, shops and restaurants were all very welcoming and friendly. We stayed a full 3 weeks and felt part of the community. The manager of the property became a friend and was always helpful and eager to answer every question. It was comforting to know she was moments away should we have needed any help. Panicale is a fascinating town and we spent days walking and exploring. We also traveled very easily by car to nearby towns: Perugia, Deruta, Castiglione Del Lago, Cortona, Montepulciano, Pienza and other towns in Umbria and Tuscany. Panicale was perfectly located for sightseeing in the entire area. We also easily took the train up to Florence a couple of days. The townhome was very comfortable and easy to live in. It was as comfortable as our own home. Our daughters could walk anywhere in the village and spend time by themselves around town and in the cafes. We all especially loved Danielle and Aldo's bar, where we spent a lot of time, especially our daughters who hung out drinking cappuccino and using the free wifi! Aldo was very generous and hospitable. His bruschetta was absolutely the best! We had our last meal of our stay in Panicale at the restaurant Masolino which was truly special. We also loved the restaurant Pelicano which was right outside Panicale and served the best piz za we ever ate! Panicale is a magical place. It is hard to express how beautiful it is. The Sogno Panicalese is luxurious and extremely comfortable. We had enough time that we could spend days wandering around Panicale and relaxing at the townhome. When we were on-the-go traveling, it was a great home to come back to. We spent hours on the rooftop taking in the view and enjoying our time. It was truly like a dream. It was our good fortune to have found it. Thank you! Joan Parsons from Hawaii I have known Katia for more than 10 years, and she has been such a dear friend and trusted business woman during that entire time. She put us in touch with the family who owns La Querciolana at the foot of Panicle for our Italian Village Lifestyle program for people 50+ who want to learn and enjoy the health benefits of the true Italian lifestyle. The accommodation and Tenuta were perfect in every way, and the Carra family are embracing, gracious, loving proprietors and hosts. We can not say enough positive things about the apartments, the fabulous Chapel, the grounds, the Vineyards and Olives! Between Maria Louisa's exquisite talent in the Cucina, and Guelfo's chef and Sommelier expertise, we left each meal happy, satisfied and like we just discovered heaven!! The setting of the terrace or dining room were lovely, and of course the wines from La Querciolana among the very best of the region! Thank you dear Katia, Maria Louisa, Guelfo, Arrezio and the entire Carra family. 
Laurie from Colorado
I truly left my heart in Panicale! I have stayed in this heavenly hill town 8 months over these past 4 years, renting several of Katia's apartments & villas. She takes such good care of you, answering your questions on properties, giving you ideas & opportunities while you are there... everything to make your "Italian immersion" an adventure you'll cherish forever! What makes Panicale so special? The people! They care. They want you to have an extraordinary vacation in their village! Panicale has a wonderful butcher... fantastic meats! Unbelievable pork chops! And his wife makes to-die-for lasagna that you heat up at home (order ahead... double the headcount on the order, you'll want 2nds, or at least leftovers!) Nothing like the thick, heavily cheesed & sauced stuff sold here in the USA! Panicale also has a small bakery that makes great THIN focaccia... my favorite, onion & fresh sage. Go early for best selection. And order ahead for a delicious fruit tart ("crostata")... my favorite, apricot jam (albicocca) or cherry jam (ciliegia). Three restaurants in Panicale... all good! Lillo Tatini, Masolino's & Osteria il Gallo nel Pozzo. Reserve a table for 2 on the balcony at Masolino's for a great view of Lake Trasimeno... only a few tables available. Order dessert panna cotta at both Masolino's & Lillo Tatini... with berry sauce... heaven on a spoon! Order a Sicilian canolla at Osteria il Gallo... Simone is 's wife is from Sicily! Dreaming of handmade pastas & delicious sauces, eating "in season" on locally sourced foods? Panicale has you covered! Bar Gallo (my morning coffee & peope-watching place) has great, fresh salads, beautifully presented. Owners Aldo & Daniele are fabulous... and also parents of Simone, of Osteria il Gallo nel Pozzo fame! There's a great pizzeria in Paciano, the next hill town over on Mount Petrarvella. A nice walk over & back along the mid-mountain road, a few kilometers. Seating outside on their patio... surrounded by flowering blooms! So you see, a few daily walks around the town's medieval walls... or sightseeing a nearby hill town, is quite important to allow room for all this glorious food & wine (haven't even begun to describe the local Umbrian wines yet!). Emanuela owns a quaint shop next to Bar Gallo that carries beautiful Umbrian linens... Yolanda has top quality fruits & veggies & some nice dishware & handicrafts for sale... Linda owns the wonderful grocery store just down from Masolino's restorant, where she hand-cuts your prosciutto to order! Ask if she has any YoBee yogurt, from a nearby sheep farm! Delicious!... Luigina owns a grocery store just outside the walls, on your way to the bakery. Her handmade lace lampshades & gifts are stunning! Add some beautiful churches, a post office, a tiny hardware/housewares store, a real estate office, barber & hairdresser... & that about covers the commercial part of town. You can easily find yourself content with a good book, people-watching & striking up conversations, roaming the cobbled streets within the medieval walls, and simply hanging out in Panicale! Makes me quite homesick, remembering all the wonderful people of Panicale! For an adventure of a lifetime, contact Katia & rent a place here... no doubt, you'll be back again & again! Elizabeth Hallgath Have been to Panicale 3 times and fell in love with it and the people there. Have made some lifetime friends there Will be back next year |
Panicale is the classic hilltop Umbrian castle town. Some people call it the balcony on Lago Trasimeno. It just hovers up over the lake. Floats really. Incredible walled village. And our home away from home. Social life all out of proportion to its size. We are always trying to make up for lost time there and pack so much into our small Umbrian vacations. We’ve taken to calling it Panic Alley because we get so swept up in all its social swirl. Small, but as the county seat of this part of Umbria, it has everything: A Theater that looks like a mini La Scala, grocery stores (3) hairdressers (3) flower shops, restaurants (3, again) police, medical clinic 24 hours, pharmacy, four cafes for your daily cappucchino fix, a piazza with marble fountain, churches and on and on.
Our favorite thing is to hold still for long periods of time at a sunny table in the piazza, near the gate to the town outside Aldo’s Café. It is like being at the theater and at any given moment, the show you least expect will start. A wedding party of hundreds will arrive. An antique race car rally will appear with people with tables and forms and stop watches and luscious red Alfas. Tables with flowers, candles and linens will appear and there will be music in the piazza by moonlight.
Heads of Umbrian cheese are raced down the streets, the day after Easter, Wine harvest festival floats parade around the village walls. And then come around again in slightly different and more ribald form. And, what fun, they are REQUIRED to dispense Umbrian wine to one and all. And the most fun on a daily basis is the simplest. Just meeting yet another interesting new friend, someone to share a cup of coffee and local gossip with.
The whole population must come and go through the few streets of this walled village on foot as these streets are almost too small for cars. And there’s just one gate at each end of town interrupting the massive walls. Going a few feet to the café for coffee can consequentially take all morning – as you see everyone. Looking for the plumber? Go get a cup of coffee. He’s either there or will be and Aldo will tell him to come find you. Almost easier than using the phone, plus, you get another cup of coffee. And just doing that can be where the fun often starts, just being open to whatever happens to be going that day. Perhaps the biggest lesson we’ve learned in Italy: living in the present and enjoying the moment.
If you are interested in renting in the area check out some of our area favorite places to stay!
Our favorite thing is to hold still for long periods of time at a sunny table in the piazza, near the gate to the town outside Aldo’s Café. It is like being at the theater and at any given moment, the show you least expect will start. A wedding party of hundreds will arrive. An antique race car rally will appear with people with tables and forms and stop watches and luscious red Alfas. Tables with flowers, candles and linens will appear and there will be music in the piazza by moonlight.
Heads of Umbrian cheese are raced down the streets, the day after Easter, Wine harvest festival floats parade around the village walls. And then come around again in slightly different and more ribald form. And, what fun, they are REQUIRED to dispense Umbrian wine to one and all. And the most fun on a daily basis is the simplest. Just meeting yet another interesting new friend, someone to share a cup of coffee and local gossip with.
The whole population must come and go through the few streets of this walled village on foot as these streets are almost too small for cars. And there’s just one gate at each end of town interrupting the massive walls. Going a few feet to the café for coffee can consequentially take all morning – as you see everyone. Looking for the plumber? Go get a cup of coffee. He’s either there or will be and Aldo will tell him to come find you. Almost easier than using the phone, plus, you get another cup of coffee. And just doing that can be where the fun often starts, just being open to whatever happens to be going that day. Perhaps the biggest lesson we’ve learned in Italy: living in the present and enjoying the moment.
If you are interested in renting in the area check out some of our area favorite places to stay!
