Umbria - Summer 2010

Gubbio, Perugia and Panicale

After leaving Riccione after 4 days at the sea during which we really relaxed, we head to Umbria, first stop Gubbio. After an hour and a half of driving we arrive at our destination but unfortunately we find the center closed to traffic because of a rally: unbelievable! So after parking on a side street we set off on foot, crossing a myriad of roaring race cars until we reached Via Cavour. We are immediately struck by that medieval atmosphere that you breathe in these places and by the aromas coming out of the various food shops along the little streets. After visiting the church of S. Domenico we headed toward the center and visited the Palazzo dei Consoli and the Palazzo Pretorio, then we went up by elevator to the Duomo.

From there we walked down along the little streets back to the piazza, and here we bought a ceramic vase and a couple of sandwiches, we ate and returned to the car, heading to Perugia. After parking we went up to the center using the escalators, which pass through the underground caves, coming out on Corso Vannucci. Here, walking, we admired the Palazzo dei Priori, the Fontana Maggiore and visited the Duomo. From there we took a stroll along the little streets, buying some bottles of wine and admiring the antiquity of these places. After a good gelato we set off again toward Panicale, a small village in the countryside near Lake Trasimeno, where we stayed at the wonderful Country House La Lupaia, where the food was excellent and you could rest wonderfully.

Assisi

After breakfast we headed to Assisi, certainly the most beautiful city we visited. We began our visit starting from the Basilica of S. Chiara, then continued to the left as far as the church of S. Pietro, finally going up to the Basilica of S. Francesco. Describing the atmosphere you breathe in these places is not easy, it feels as if you can still sense the presence of the saints who lived there. Particularly striking are the frescoes of the lower and upper basilicas of S. Francesco, but also the saint's tomb, the clothes he wore and the letters he signed. From there we went up to the center of the town and headed to the Duomo, then went back down to S. Chiara where we had lunch in a delightful little restaurant. After leaving Assisi we headed to the Eremo delle Carceri, which is nearby on Mount Subasio. This was the place where S.

Francesco prayed and meditated together with his followers; you can walk through the rooms and stroll in the park, stopping at the places of prayer such as the little chapel in front of the saint's tree. After leaving the hermitage we headed to S. Maria degli Angeli, a hamlet of Assisi dominated by the basilica, characterized by an imposing dome and a golden statue of the Madonna, famous because inside it is the Cappella della Porziuncola, that is, the original chapel where S. Francesco used to pray, as well as the Chapel where he died and the outside Rose Garden. After a break and a good gelato we returned to Panicale and after dinner we went to Castiglione on Lake Trasimeno.

Orvieto and Spoleto

After breakfast we headed to Orvieto. Here we had a bit of difficulty parking, then in the end we went to a paid parking lot and, as in Perugia, we went up to the center by the escalators, emerging practically in the piazza del Comune, where there is a church famous for its octagonal tower. From there, following the pedestrian center street, we reached the Duomo, truly imposing, characterized by a very colorful facade. After visiting it we headed to the famous Pozzo di S. Patrizio and went all the way down. From there we returned to the center and had lunch in a typical little place, buying oil and wine. Then, back at the car, we headed to Spoleto, crossing beautiful valleys. Unfortunately Spoleto did not enthuse us, we found it very dirty.

We took a stroll, getting lost in the narrow alleys that practically slice the center into strips, we saw the Vecchio and Nuovo Teatro, arriving as far as the Duomo and admiring the Rocca from below. Finally, after a stop at a café to refresh ourselves, we returned to Panicale and had dinner in front of a breathtaking sunset.

A little piece of Tuscany...

After breakfast and loading the suitcases we set off, truly sorry to leave that enchanting place, but before returning home we took the opportunity to stop at Chianciano, which is only a few kilometers from Panicale. There, besides seeing countless hotels and spa centers, we went up to the historic center and took a short walk, admiring the places where Pirandello lived for a brief period. The view you glimpse of the surrounding valleys is truly enchanting. After making some unavoidable culinary purchases we headed to Montepulciano, which is also just a few kilometers away, and there we walked through part of the historic center among wineries, shops and restaurants, of course buying more wine and cheese, finally stopping at a fabulous restaurant where we had a divine lunch. Finally, in the early afternoon, we set off, heading at last for home.