Introduction
The area around the lake fills with holidaymakers from northern Europe on their ways to the coast of Le Marche. It is absolutely precious and travellersare drawn by its sun in the summertime. Passignano and San Feliciano have a different style from the other villages which follow the Stalinist high rise architecture. The fields around the lake are blanketed with sunflowers and the lake is a paradise of water sports. Its restaurants offer the local specialities and walking in this haven of nature is charming. Eight municipalities form the region: Città della Pieve to admire its art, Magione, Paciano, the precious Panicale, Passignano, Piegaro, Tuoro and the very enjoyable Castiglione del Lago.
What to See and Do
Lake Trasimeno keeps the same festive atmosphere as other Umbrian towns which abound in festivals and celebrations. During the first weekend in June the art and culture festival is held in Città della Pieve. Once a year in July an original race is celebrated in Passignano where heavy boats are carried by men up a hill. In August at the Palio dei Terzieri the Renaissance air emerges again with acrobatics, fire eating and archers aiming at targets.
Around the lake visitors can go hiking, chose a camping site and enjoy its fresh air or go wine tasting generally in enoteches for most vineyards open once a year to public. As Umbria considers itself a slow region, doing nothing in the Lake Trasimeno region is just the perfect holidays. The waters of the lake provide the perfect playground for water sports such as fishing, canoeing, windsurfing or sailing. Merongola in Castiglione del Lago and Belneazione Tuoro in Tuoro can rent boats, canoes etc. Some restaurants will even prepare your fish if you request it following their local recipes handed down through the generations.
Wine lovers of any level of expertise can look for information in the tourist offices or get brochures of the Strada del Vino which sweeps across fields of vineyards, some allowing tasting wine and other local products. The Umbrians take great pride in their world class wines which travel the world over.
Markets offering local fresh produce and supplies for basic needs are organized in different towns in the region every week. It will be in Passignano on Saturday and Castiglione del Lago on Wednesday. Check out their locations and days at the tourist office.
Experience Lago Trasimeno first hand following its strolling trails or horse riding tracks. There are some equestrian centres such as Maneggio Oasi and Poggio del Belveduto. It you want to feel like a knight in the middle ages join an archery course in Poggio del Belveduto.
The tourist information office stocks walking and bike trails maps.
Where and What to Eat
Most restaurant will serve the local specialities: little white beans, fish dishes or tegamaccio (soupy stew made of local fish in olive oil, wine and herbs) accompanied by local olive oil and wine.
La Cantina is an elegant restaurant, attractive for its prices, precious open air terrace for outdoor meals in kind weather and its shop offering tasting and selling local products. Its trout with fagiolina (local little white beans) is recommendable.
L’Acquario on Via Vittorio Emmanuele in Castiglione del Lago offers a set menu which includes carp in porchetta among many other culinary delights.
La Locanda di Gulliver is set at the end of a scenic drive in an ancient brick farmhouse. Its cuisine is creative and includes wild boar, home made pizza and smoked fish among others.
Le Grotte di Boldrini in Panicale sits atop a hill looking over the lake. You will try grilled meats or fresh fish or macaroni with cream sauce and spicy sausages.
Do not judge Da Settimio on Via Lungolago Alicata in San Feliciano by appearances for this is a place rated by locals as excellent as to fish dishes. Its fishermen’s risotto and the appetiser of little fishes are delights.
How to Get to / away/ around
BY BUS : from Perugia to Passignano (length: 1.10 hours, services: nine a day), from Perugia to Castiglione del Lago ( length: 1.10 hours, services: 9 a day).
BY BICYCLE: it is a good way of experiencing Lake Trasimeno. Cicli Valentine and Marinelli Ferrettini Fabio, both in Castiglione del Lago, rent bicycles as well as Fattoria il Poggio and La Casa sul Lago.
BY CAR: the SS71 from Chiusi to Arezzo goes along the west side of the lake. The SS75 bis from A1 to Perugia is on the north of the lake.
BY FERRY: the offices are on the lake waterfront. From Passignano to Castigline del lago
(length: 40 minutes), from San Feliciano to Isola Polvese (length: 10 minutes), from Castiglione del Lago to Isola Maggiore (length: 30 minutes). These services leave every hour from Easter to September.
BY TRAIN: from Perugia it calls at Magione, Torricella (length: 30minutes) and Castiglione del Lago (length:1 hour, services: 9 a day).
