Why travel to Italy in the fall? Well, for one thing, it's a foodie's dream. Think mushrooms, chestnuts, truffles and chocolate. Who doesn't like one of those? The kind folks at La Preghiera have written to remind us of the aromatic fall festivals in Umbria, which include:

• Festa del Bosco - Woodland fair - 28 October/1 November - Montone (Slow Travel has a great page on Montone - go there for the film festival if you can't make the festa del bosco)
• Mostra Mercato del Tartufo- Trade fair of Truffles - 14 /15 October - Pietralunga
• Sagra della Castagna -Chestnut fair- 21/22 October - Preggio (near Umbertide)
• Sagra della Castagna - Chestnut fair 21/22 October - Morra- (near Citta' di Castello) Trade fair of the truffle and woodland products - 21/22- October Monte Santa Maria Tiberina
• Trade fair of the truffle and woodland products- 3/5 November- Citta' di Castello's (Citta di Castello 2006 events--it's a happening place!)
• Perugia Chocolate Festival - Eurochocolate held from 14 to 22 October
• Gubbio Chocolate Fair - Altrocioccolato (20/23 October)

We enjoyed our stay at La Preghiera, and recommend it for an excursion into Italy's green heart. See a review of La Preghiera.

^{Winter black truffles picture ©2006 by James Martin, Europe for Visitors.}