I T A L I A 2 0 0 5
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On Wednesday, July 22, we drove to Assisi, our base for the next three nights. En route, we stopped at the walled city of Todi. It was our first visit and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Italy is a mountainous country and contains many of these old, fortified cities. Unfortunately, by the end of touring it’s all to easy to say, “Oh, it’s just another walled city!” However, when you review the photographs, each has it’s own distinct personality and place. Assisi too is a fortified town. It is well known as the home of St. Francis of Assisi. The old town is fairly compact and easily explored in an afternoon.
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A view of
the hillside from Todi |
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The main piazza in Todi |
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Piazza del Popolo in Todi
with the Cathedral in the background |
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The Palazzo del Capitano in
Todi (late 13th century) |
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Vic & Barb on a typical street in Todi |
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A view of the town of Assisi;
the left is dominated by the Basilica of San Francesco |
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One of the gates into the city of Assisi |
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The facade of the upper church of the basilica of San Francesco; beneath it is the lower church and monastery; the complex was built in the 13th century |
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The Tempio di Minerva, an ancient Roman temple |
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The cathedral of Santa Chiara (its facade is pink and white limestone) |
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A roof top view of Assisi (including the ever-present cranes) |
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Lindy & Barb walking in Assisi |
On
Thursday, 23 July, we went for a drive (a very long drive).
We began our day by visiting Pisa, known for its leaning tower.
We didn’t spend too much time there except Barb & Lindy did do a
bit of shopping. We then proceeded onto
San Gimignano, another beautiful walled city, known for having some 72 towers.
We returned to our family-owned hotel, Hotel da Angelo for an 8:30PM
dinner on the veranda. A great way
to end a full day.
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The
cathedral complex in Pisa |
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"La Torre Pendante" (the Leaning Tower of Pisa) is the bell tower of the Cathedral. It was commenced in 1173 and work continued on it through 1373. |
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Us at the Tower |
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A gate into the walled city of San Gimignano |
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A street view with one of the
many towers in the background |
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One of the piazzas in San Gimignano |
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One of the many towers which make San Gimignano so noteable |
On
Friday, 24 July, we headed to the Adriatic Sea on Italy’s Eastern coast.
We had a lovely seafood luncheon in Pesaro at a restaurant out on a pier.
We then drove up the coast to the Republic of San Marino (yes, it’s an
independent country within Italy; there’s actually two – San Marino and The
Vatican). We enjoyed the views from
this hilltop country. Vic &
Barb had their passports stamped (neat souvenir) and then Barb & Lindy
enjoyed some great shopping. En
route home, we stopped at another walled town, Urbino.
This was an especially neat stop for all of us because Vic & Barb own
a watercolor of the area painted by artist, Roger Dicamillo (one of the individuals we
rendezvoused with at the villa).
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An ancient
Roman bridge en route to Pesaro |
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Vic & Barb taking an
Adriatic dip |
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Lindy & Barb on the pier at Pesaro |
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A fabulous seafood luncheon on the pier in Pesaro |
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The view looking down from San Marino |
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The fortress of San Marino |
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Vic & Barb in San Marino |
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The tower in San Marino |
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A cathedral in Urbino |