Pasquale is lucky to have an aunt who lives partly in Umbria and partly in Tuscany, while I am lucky to have Pasquale as my boyfriend. Fair enough! So, a road trip, an intense week to explore some of the most characteristic places in these two regions. Thank you auntie!
Itinerary
Day one.
Leaving at night has a certain charm, even if we ignore the almost complete lack of traffic, the cool air that only the nights of August can offer, and the uninterrupted music on the radio, we should consider the quality of the conversations... ('baby we both know, that the nights were mainly made for saying things that you can’t say tomorrow day' sings Alex Turner). And so at 7:00 in the morning we were in Foligno, drinking a cappuccino of decidedly questionable taste, and a cream brioche. Once we reached Pasqs aunt's house and rested for a few hours (the weather is more spring-like than summer), we decided to head to Spello. The town is so cute, there are flowers everywhere. We wandered aimlessly for a couple of hours, enjoying the sunset. We ended our tour with a walk through the streets of Foligno. I must say, a beautiful town, full of ordinary people and few tourists. Worth mentioning: Palazzo Trinci – Cathedral of San Feliciano – Cosmic Magnet in Chiesa SS. Trinità in Annunziata – Museum of Printing. Typical dinner with cold cuts, cheeses and the famous 'torta al testo' (a stuffed focaccia). And late in the evening, the thrill of wearing a warm sweatshirt and watching a movie in the garden.
Day two.
How nice it is to be on vacation without setting an alarm? At an indecent time, we decided to stop being lazy and visit another place: Rasiglia. Before arriving, we took a break (not to rest, I swear) in Pale, to see Menotre waterfalls. Reaching a strategic point was an achievement, also thanks to a not very suitable outfit, but it was worth it! Just enough time to take some pictures and we resumed the journey to Rasiglia, also known as the 'small, very small, Venice of Umbria'. This village is hidden among the Umbrian woods and is really characteristic. All its streams make it magical. Thanks to the medieval atmosphere, I felt transported back in time. It takes very little time to visit villages like this, so you can take all the time you need to fully enjoy the experience that 'unchanged' places like Rasiglia offer.
Day three.
The agenda for this day was really tight. We decided to visit four different places to reach Narni as our final destination. So early in the morning we were in Montefalco. After parking the car, we started to explore the village, discovering a place full of history, tradition, and smell (of wine LOL). Lunch break tasting the typical products: pappardelle with wild boar sauce and strangozzi alla norcina, preceded by appetizers with the scent (yeah just the scent...) of truffle. After a good meal, we continued on to Spoleto. The town offers so much to see, from the cathedral to the Albornozian fortress, to the bridge of the towers (to mention something), but after wandering for an hour we decided to get back in the car to head to the Marmore waterfalls. We did not want to pay the entrance ticket to the waterfalls for two reasons: the price is ridiculously high / if you park in a good position you can have an excellent view for FREE! Last stop and final destination: Narni. Well, the name got me easy peasy, to be true. We walked for what seemed like hours along the Nara River to reach the Mole di Narni, a natural swimming pool with spectacular colors. This is a must-do for anyone who loves nature like us! Before reaching the historic center (medieval oc), we stopped at the Ponte Cardona, where the exact geographical center of Italy is located (how cool is that?).
Day four.
It's time to change region, so exciting! I am a big fan of Tuscany! It was on my wish list to visit the Val d'Orcia. I had seen pictures of it (#spectacular), but looking out the car window as we reached our destination was indescribable... the rolling hills, the cypress-lined avenues, the vineyards and isolated farmhouses... a postcard! What you feel like doing is wandering around 'on the road', enjoying the magnificent views and the relaxing climate. Gallina is a tiny hamlet of Castiglione d'Orcia, a place that inspires tranquility and simplicity. Upon our arrival, my first desire was to wander aimlessly, breathing in this completely unspoiled atmosphere. As we climbed up to Castiglione d'Orcia, we 'participated' in a festival, attracted by the smell of roasted pork and the wine poured into glasses during the walk. To end the evening, we lay down on the grass to observe the stars, I had never been able to see so many!
Day five.
Opening the window and looking out onto these vast pastel-colored expanses is something indescribable! Today there was so much to see, starting with Bagni di San Filippo, a village famous for its hot thermal waters that create a magical landscape of white limestone formations, waterfalls, and small hot tubs where you can bathe surrounded by the wild nature. In Bagno Vignone, we only made a quick stop, to dedicate the remaining part of the time to visiting two other incredible places. First: San Quirico d'Orcia. Second: Pienza. I was truly fascinated by Pienza, whose historic center has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pienza is located in a breathtaking position, on a hill overlooking the Val d'Orcia. It is a city that is definitely worth a visit, a place where history, culture, and nature blend harmoniously to create an unforgettable experience.
Day six.
I have been to Florence countless times, but I still didn't miss the opportunity to visit it again! Thanks to a couple of friends who hosted us for the night, we were able to enjoy a Florentine evening (yes, even with the famous steak... food place: 'I Brindellone'). I can't help it, Florence never gets old. It's an elegant and charming city, full of history and art. I'm in love with it! So, with this, my adventure through Umbria and Tuscany ended. Each town, each village, each breathtaking landscape unveiled a unique charm, painting a tapestry of experiences that will forever be etched in my memory (so as the culinary delights!!!).
