Prati

Casa Pace is situated a little bit outside of Cottanello (5 minute walk to the center) in the Via dei Prati. What is the Prati? If you pass our house you will get there. After 4-5 km uphill through the forest you will reach paradise. A deserted village with no human being around - but lots of animals!

Here pigs, cows, horses, goats and sheep live in harmony together, sharing the green fields, the water places and the peaceful silence. The farmers drive up the Prati from time to time to look after the animals who are running free (and sometimes even come down as far as our house. 

 Only the sheep need someone to take care of them :)

As a vegan it's one of the most beautiful places where farm animals live I have seen. You can walk up there, have a picknick on the green hills and enjoy the nature.
This is how it should be, isn't it?

Here is a movie about a farm animal sanctuary:
Peaceable Kingdom

Family visit

Last week my lovely family has visited me in bella Italia.

 So we did some sightseeing, to the abbey in Farfa di Sabina

 to Rome, of course, to greet the Pope

 to Orvieto with its beautiful dome

 and to the Lake Bolsena where we finally got some seaside feeling for my father :)

We had ordered sunshine for the whole week, and they liked Sabina, Cottanello, Casa Pace and the lovely people here.

Monte Soratte

With our charming friend and tour guide Ginevra from the Santa Maria Bar and our two  foster dogs Mamataba and Tabino we have walked up the Monte Soratte (ca. 700 m) today.

 It was a beautiful walk in nature...

 With a view to the Lake Bracciano and to Rome in the distance

Gluten Free Fest at Perugia

On Friday we have been to Perugia, the city where I studied for one month in 2005 at the University for foreigners. That weekend it was hold a festival for people with gluten intolerance, the Gluten Free Fest. Perugia is known for all sorts of (slow) food related items, like the chocolate fabric La Perugina, or la Università dei Sapori.

The Festival was very interesting and we could buy some gluten free pasta.

 It was also interesting to see Perugia again after almost 7 years. I remembered some places, for example the student's pub Merlin's.

 Perugia is a lovely city with international flair because of the students from all over the world who are eager to study the italian language and culture at the University for foreigners. The main street with the famous big fountain is a meeting point for students and tourists.

 The are also lots of activities concerning human rights, the peace movement and the environment.

I like Perugia, the stunning views over the surrounding hills, the small streets with stairs everywhere,   and the old imposing buildings. By car you arrive there in a little bit more than one hour. It's absolutely worth it.

La Via Lattea in Casperia

In Casperia you can find the organic ice cream fabric La Via Lattea (The Milky Way) of Fabrizio Pioreschi. He is a member of Slow Food and produces tasty ice cream made out of organic ingredients since 1989. They are also caring about renewable energies and recycling.

They offer a variety of ice creams, with milk and cream, but also vegan sorts with almonds and soy milk. Mostly he exports to Germany where it is sold at Edeka or Karstadt; here in Casperia you can get it at Friend's Cafe.

You can read more about this Slow Food Producer on http://www.lavialattea.com

By the way: The T-Shirt Fabrizio is wearing on the picture asks you if you know what you are eating :)