Blogs from Umbria, Italy, Europe - page 4

We headed north along the Adriatic Coast to Monteprandone then west inland to Castel San Giovanni today. As we head inland the road follows a river and you travel though many trunnels though the hills. We found a lovely lookout over a valley to stop and have a picnic lunch. After driving another 30kmwe found a small walled village of Norcia which I feel may become our best village stop on this trip. The village was contained within the castle walls which includes about 50 homes, and 50 shops but 30 of these shops sold homemade salami, cured meats, cheese and truffles (tartufo). The cured meat where mainly from wild pigs and boars from the area. The history of the village and the friendliness of the people were wonderful, great way to spent a couple of ... read more

Day 3 Forgot to mention the bright full moon in a cloudless sky that followed us to the hotel last night. Today the group went to Cortuna as I stayed back and nursed my legs. It was very pleasant to rest, read, catch up on my reading and nap. Pam, my Sicily roomy, who is having mobility issues too, joined me in the afternoon and we shared a taxi to the Periginia chocolate factory. We met the group and had a tour of the works. Think Willi Wonka without the Upa Lupas. We had a chocolate tasting and then toured and then headed to the store. By then, the last thing I wanted was chocolate. Picked up something for Joe and escaped. That night Pat and I joined Pam and Diane for dinner at the hotel. ... read more

Day One So far so good. Smooth flight to Rome. I was able to nap on the plane and on the drive to our first stop, Castiglione del Largo. This small, quaint, quiet, off the beaten track town is located on the shore of lake Tresimeno, the largest lake in Central Italy. The day was perfect for touring, partly cloudy and about 55 degrees. We strolled the main street of town past specialty shops, one featuring beans, another pasta, a third cheese. All offered wine for sale. Pat and I were both hungry and while looking for a restaurant that offered outdoor seating in the sun we were overheard by a young Brit who recommended a bar up the street. Sure enough there was seating to the rear on a terrace that overlooked the lake. We ... read more

Geo: 42.7165, 12.1116So, we drove north and are now in Tuscany. We stopped at Orvieto, which is an Italian Hill Town. There are many hill towns in Tuscany and Umbria, particularly the former. They were built during the middle ages as defensive structures due to the constant small time warfare and raiding. So, this massive Roman Empire is reduced to sibling squabbling. But there are attractive sights left for us. In Orvieto, the church is rated by some as the most beautiful in Italy. We do not disagree. Unfortunately for us they were engaged in restorative work on the exterior front. The inside was pristine. The church is rich with paintings and frescoes. In fact Mike (aka Michelangelo) reviewed the ceiling and wall art before painting the Sistine Chapel. Bird is also especially impressed with the ... read more

I awoke at 7:30 without feeling any jet lag effects - Italy is agreeing with me. I headed out after a quick breakfast to explore the Central Historic area of Perugia. The Primavera Mini Hotel was less than a five minute walk to the "main drag" know as Corso Vannucci. I was first attracted to the many shops along the pedestrian only streets, but told myself, "I must be strong - I have touring to do." First stop - the Duomo, which is distinctive for two things: 1) a beautiful fresco on one of the columns of La Madonna delle Grazie and 2) the wedding ring of the Virgin Mary (kept out of view behind a red curtain and up two flights of stairs.) In the same piazza as the Duomo was located my next stop, ... read more