Umbria Jazz Festival

Press Release by: Cheryl Hughey

Experience Umbria Invites You to Experience

The Umbria Jazz Festival
in Perugia, Italy
July 11-21, 2008

Live your fantasy this summer by traveling to Umbria, the "green heart of Italy" for Europe's hottest jazz festival - the Umbria Jazz Festival in Perugia, Italy. Experience Umbria is offering two six day, five night packages that include front row tickets to all of the headliners, entrance to the festival's more intimate venues, ground transportation to all concerts, meals and accommodations at the luxury villa La Fattoria del Gelso. You won't want to miss this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Celebrating its 35th anniversary, the Umbria Jazz Festival is one of Europe's premier jazz festivals, hosting world renowned jazz greats in a variety of settings, from headliner concerts at Perugia's Santa Giuliana soccer stadium, to more intimate concerts in the refined Teatro Pavone and Teatro Morlacchi, to free outdoor concerts in the historic Piazza IV Novembre. This year's lineup features Herbie Hancock, Sonny Rollins, Caetano Veloso, Gary Burton, Pat Metheny, Cassandra Wilson and Alicia Keys, among others. It's an all-star cast in an unforgettable setting.

Experience Umbria is offering two six-day, five night packages spanning the 11 day festival.
Each package includes:

• 5 nights at the private villa La Fattoria del Gelso
• First category seats to four performances at the Umbria Jazz Festival
• Jazz brunch and jazz lunch at local hot spots in Perugia
• A guided tour of the Sagrantino wine district with visits to three wineries
• A private guided walking tour of the historic center of Perugia
• All meals
• Ground transportation throughout your stay, including transportation to and from each concert

Choose from two packages:
The Sonny Rollins Package (July 11-July 16) € 2,000 per person (double occupancy) (featuring Sonny Rollins, Caetano Veloso, Cassandra Wilson, David Sanborn, Bill Frisell)

The Herbie Hancock Package (July 16-July 21) € 2,200 per person (double occupancy) (featuring Herbie Hancock, Gary Burton, Pat Metheny, Alicia Keys, Gil Evans Orchestra)

Accommodations
Throughout your stay you will be our guest at Experience Umbria's private villa, La Fattoria del Gelso, nearby in the Umbrian countryside. This historic 8 bedroom farmhouse, situated on a 40 hectare working farm is the ideal base from which to visit the festival and to discover the treasures of Umbria. Relax by the pool in the shadow of nearby Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis, or wander the cool treelined villa grounds. Enjoy a glass of the local wine in the sitting room or escape to your spacious bedroom decorated in traditional Italian furniture, your comfortable bed covered with fine Frette linens. La Fattoria del Gelso provides all of the comforts of home, with the added advantage of being in Italy! During your stay your hosts will introduce you to the local artistic, historic, cultural and gastronomic traditions of the area, mixing free time with organized activities and excursions. We have designed a memorable vacation that combines the genius of American jazz with the wellbeing of Italy's la dolce vita. What a sweet combo!

Click here for more information about La Fattoria del Gelso.

Who We Are
Experience Umbria was established by Bill and Suzy Menard, owners of the Washington, DC-area retail store Bella Italia so they could share with others the Italy they have gotten to know over the years. Their frequent buying trips in Italy have brought them in contact with every province and they have developed deep and abiding friendships with Italians throughout the country. Bill and Suzy's love for all things Italian is contagious and they look forward to sharing that love with you as your hosts for this truly magical vacation.

For more information or to book your package, call 202-957-3811 or email us at umbriajazz@menardmail.com. Visit us on the web at www.experienceumbria.com.

Click here for printer-friendly version of review.

Send this page to a friend.