The Sydney Morning HeraldThe Sydney Morning Herald publishes on the Australian daily paper of Saturday November 21 1998, (and on line www.smh.com.au/travel/9811/21/travel1.html), a report by Monique Farmer: "Uncovering Umbria" (With beautiful scenery, unspoiled medieval villages and hearty country fare, this Italian backwater offers an ideal driving holiday, writes MONIQUE FARMER). In to describe the trip to Umbria, the author writes:«...Back above ground, the terracotta-hued town was crammed with shops selling religious paraphernalia and overpriced bottles of water and soft drink. We deliberately avoided the crowds and found ourselves in a small open market selling fragrant stone fruits and the fattest grapes imaginable. Nearby was a well-stocked deli called Bottega del Bongustaio which had a mouth-watering window display of local truffle products. A picnic lunch suddenly seemed preferable to another restaurant meal, so we went inside and began gathering the basics - paper plates, plastic knives, bottles of water and so on. The owner, Eugenio Gambacorta, noticed our indecision at the display of cheeses and cold meats and offered, in perfect English, to make up a selection. His choices were exceptional - finocchiona (fennel-flavoured pure pork salami), capocollo (pork cold meat aged for more than 90 days), boar meat salami, prosciutto, some local cheeses and a loaf of brown bread. As we handed over 34,000 lire we told him of our picnic plans and, with a flourish, Gambacorta presented us with two new plastic cups. He was so friendly and helpful that he even emerged from the shop to point out a park at the end of the street. "I send my meats and cheeses all over the world ... you can order through my Web site," he said by way of farewell, proudly rattling off the address (see Case Notes)».

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