for reference, the links to the previous sites pages are
the latest, recent, previous, about, links and design thoughts
links - Early November 2021
RJS ID Inc, my former design company had a division called PhotoEmpt that took photgraphs and sold royalty free images, both directly, and through Stock Image Agencies. The photographer was my wife Sarah Slade, known better to some as Dr Sarah A Wager. I have kept her site alive, and you will find her collection of images at sarahsladephotography.com. I have also buried in this site the last iteration of the site of my former design company. You will find it here So, photoempt.com, rjslade.com, and sarahsladephotography.com are all related and run by me.
Food
This is the longest-lasting restaurant in MCdV. Formerly run by Massimo and Luisa and now by their daughter with Massimo still cooking, it specializes in traditional Umbrian cooking with a set meal. They are currently open 3 or four nights a week. Years ago, with my late wife, we helped them in a cooking school they ran.
http://www.montecastellodivibio.gov.it/life/ristorante-colpo-di-scena
and
https://www.ristorantecolpodiscena.it
Currently about two years old, they moved from Marsciano and brought a more refined menu to MCdV. A fine selection of wines and an interesting evolving menu. During the summer months, they have also been running the summer bar, just below the walls called the Torracia
Other restaurants of note in the area include Petroro, John’s, Novecento (currently in Hotel Fonte Cesia-Todi), la Scaletta, Ristorante Pizzeria Cavour, Hosteria Mattta La Piccola, Be Happy, Le Cerquelle (formerly Rossatelli)
Accomodation
GenteVibia B&B
http://www.montecastellodivibio.gov.it/life/b-b-gente-vibia
and
This is a newly renovated bed and breakfast conveniently located in the historic centre of Monte Castello di Vibio just steps from the Teatro della Concordia, Colpa di Scena and Il Grottino di Zio Totó
Borgo Struginati
http://www.montecastellodivibio.gov.it/life/agriturismo-borgo-struginati
This is an agriturismo located near Doglio, a part of Monte Castello di Vibio.
Monte Castello di Vibio
This site lists amongst other things, the local shops and businesses of note .
Teatro della Concordia
http://www.montecastellodivibio.gov.it/life/societa-del-teatro-della-concordia-aps
and
https://www.teatropiccolo.it/concordia/
The smallest theatre in the World
Bar Centrale
http://www.montecastellodivibio.gov.it/life/bar-centrale
Il Mercatino di Tomassi Giovanna
http://www.montecastellodivibio.gov.it/life/il-mercatino-di-tomassi-giovanna
Macelleria da Silvano di Moriconi Olga & C.
http://www.montecastellodivibio.gov.it/life/macelleria-da-silvano-di-moriconi-olga-c
Farmacia Santi Snc, di Maria Floriana e Anna Santi
http://www.montecastellodivibio.gov.it/life/farmacia-santi-snc-di-maria-floriana-e-anna-santi
The above four places are, for me, the heart of the town. Bar Central, better known as Giovanni’s, is on the main square and the meeting place for morning coffee and gossip of the locals and the ’stranieri’ . It is here I learned - some would say, am learning - my poor Italian. Except for the month of August, it is closed on Wednesday. Next to it is Giovanna’s, a local market with fresh produce, wine and everyday needs for the house. The other two listed above are the butcher, Olga, who makes the best sausages you have ever had and appears to know most of the local meat by name (ie the name of the beast) that you can buy there. If you don’t see it - ask. And the Farmacia. In town, next to the Post Office, there is a dispensary, but the main shop is now located at the bottom of the hill in Madonna del Piano.
Azienda agraria Il Poggiolo
http://www.montecastellodivibio.gov.it/life/azienda-agraria-il-poggiolo
A fresh fruit and veg business at the bottom of the hill in Madonna del Piano. It also prepares and bottles local produce.
Across the road from them, also in Madonna del Piano is
Baccarelli Moda By La.ra.
https://www.instagram.com/baccarellimoda_by_lara/
This clothing store has everything - from underwear to ball gowns, suits to hunting wear.
Two local woodworking firms, both family businesses. From front doors, to interior doors and windows for houses, to purpose built cupboards and storage needs. The chances of any angles in your house or apartment being right angles and two windows the same size are very slim and you will need these people.
Falegnameria Fioretti
http://www.montecastellodivibio.gov.it/life/falegnameria-fioretti
Falegnameria F.lli Bonini
http://www.montecastellodivibio.gov.it/life/falegnameria-f-lli-bonini
And my first stop for anything electrical, from washing machines, to toasters, from telephones to televisions, these are the people to visit.
Mofar Elettrodomestici
http://www.montecastellodivibio.gov.it/life/mofar-elettrodomestici
And these last two companies are listed separately but are again parts of a family business. Loredana and her husband Massimo were our real estate agents when we first bought in MCdV in 1999. But they were way more than that - they guided us through the process of buying and living in a foreign country and have remained constant friends and advisors since. Through them, we found the Geometra that helped us in renovating first our apartment and then our house. And it was the related construction company that did the work in both cases. I can’t say enough good things about them - the experience was fantastic. They probably will not win a prize for the least expensive work, but you get what you pay for and are very experienced in dealing with these old structures. I link here to some images of the work they did on our house in 2004-05 before we relocated here full time from Canada
CA.SA. Immobiliare di Sarnari Loredana
http://www.montecastellodivibio.gov.it/life/ca-sa-immobiliare-di-sarnari-loredana
Impresa Edile Capoccia Giovanni
http://www.montecastellodivibio.gov.it/life/impresa-edile-capoccia-giovanni
International Centre for the Arts - Monte Castello di Vibio
Within the International Center for the Arts, the new International Studio School is the heart of the program. The Studio School offers multi-level classes in the visual arts as well as opportunities for uninterrupted studio time, a visiting artist/critics series, exhibition opportunities and weekly trips to some of the most compelling cultural sites of Italy. With a variety of differing types and lengths of courses, this school, located in Monte Castello di Vibio, provides an educational interlude for those interested in art.
Transportation:
Hilltop towns are most easily accessed with private transportation. There was a train that serves the Stazione that is located between Fratta Todina and Madonna di Piano – the train has currently been replaced by a bus that shuttles back and forth between Perugia and Terni. Terni is regularly serviced by trains to and from Rome and is some 30 minutes by car from Monte Castello di Vibio. There is a bus service, Sulga Bus, that run assorted services, including one from Assisi via Perugia to Rome and Rome Fiumicino Airport ( link to pdf of timetable ). It stops in Pian di Porto at the bottom of the hill from Todi. There is also an airport near Perugia - San Francesco d'Assisi Airport
Aeroporto Internazionale dell'Umbria - Perugia
Other nearby places to visit:
Orvieto, Montefalco, Todi, Assisi, Deruta, Foligno, Norcia, Spoleto
These are all links to the English language web pages of Umbria Online, one of many useful sources of information about Umbria