October 13th -15th: Assisi and other Umbrian Delghts

Loaded the bikes into the Lancia Muso at Florence airport and set off for Assisi

It's not as bad as it looks!

We were to stay in an attic level of a private house about 10 klm from Assisi in the town of Petrignano, about 2 klm on fom Palazzo!  Had to explain the gratuitous use of this photograph somehow!

Welcome to Umbria.

The masterchef prepared Umbrian specialities, while keeping her head down.

The payoff for a sloping ceiling was this third story balcony with a view of Assisi in the background.

Assisi is all about St Francis and St Clare - the doves, by the way, are real!

The city, built on a hillside, is dominated by the Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi. 

Atop the hill, is an impressive castle that predates the town.

Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli is one of many churches in Assisi - what makes it special is that it was built to encompass an existing church - the Porziuncola, the original church from which Francis began his work among the poor.

Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli needed to be big - the seventh largest in the world, in order to host the many pilgrims that flock to see the Porziuncola, gifted to Francis by the Benedictines.

Man does not live by churches alone - this feast of ravioli prepared by Mama Rosamaria was well received.  The wine was a result of an excursion into the Umbian hills around Montefalco, renowned for its production of sagrantino red grapes.

It was harvest time at the house of Dionigi, a marvellous opportunity to witness the raw product.

And be treated to a private tasting by Roberto Dionigi 

Bravo Roberto who carries on a 117 year tradition for the Dionigi family.

Our last night in Umbria and the rains came down on our backyard at Petrignano; tomorrow would see a two and a half hour drive to Rome, where the Lancia would be returned and our feet would be sorely tested - Rome is definitely not the place to ride a bike.