Where We Are

Cucina della Terra is located in the rolling hills of Umbria, Italy. The nearest city is the regional capital of Perugia, and the school is located just 5 minutes up the road from the town of Castiglione del Lago, a beautifully preserved medieval town on the banks of Lake Trasimeno.

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Among the many wonders of this beautifully preserved region, Umbria boasts a legacy as the home of St. Francis of Assisi and successive generations of Papal rule. It is thus home to many significant abbeys and churches, as well as the vinicultural heritage of local religious orders. Gastronomically, the most famed dishes of the region rely heavily on local grains, vegetables, fresh herbs and Umbria’s “liquid gold”—olive oil. (Guests of Cucina della Terra always cook with oil pressed from olives that were harvested right on the property!) During the fall and winter, both black and white truffles reach their peak, with numerous local festivals celebrating the coveted foodstuffs. Finally, the region’s exceptional salumi and grilled meats are not to be missed, including spit- or wood oven-roasted game like rabbit or wild boar.