Italy and Switzerland 2018
Posts from our trip to Italy and Switzerland from September 25 to October 9, 2018. Heather and I took Heather’s parents on an itinerary that included Rome, the Tuscan countryside, Siena, Assisi, Florence, Varenna (on Lake Como), finishing in Luzern, Switzerland.
Assisi is crowded with pilgrims and day trippers by day, but it’s lovely and quiet at night. (Assisi, Umbria, Italy)
Posted on October 2, 2018
Turns out we dodged a bullet. We’re in Assisi on Oct 2. The feast of St Francis is on Oct 4. If we had arrived two days later, the city would be filled with a crowd of 10,000 pilgrims. Even today there were lots of AV and television crews setting up for the big celebration.
Posted on October 2, 2018
We also visited the Basilica de San Francesco, built in St. Francis’ honor. Beautiful frescos inside, including the iconic “St. Francis Preaching to the Birds.” (Valecchie, Umbria, Italy)
Posted on October 2, 2018
First stop in Assisi: The Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli. This is the Church that was built around the chapel where St. Francis began his ministry. Literally. The chapel still stands inside the basilica. (Santa Maria degli Angeli, Umbria, Italy)
Posted on October 2, 2018
Made a day trip to Siena today. The Duomo (cathedral) there is incredible. Beautifully painted ceilings, and statues by Donatello and Bernini. But the big highlight was the inlaid marble floors illustrating bible scenes and Siena’s civic pride. (Siena, Tuscany, Italy)
Posted on October 1, 2018
We also toured Contucci winery in Montepulciano. They’ve been making wine for over one thousand years! (San Biagio, Tuscany, Italy)
Posted on September 30, 2018
Toured Talosa’s underground wine cellars in Montepulciano, where they age their famous Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. (Those casks are huge!) (San Biagio, Tuscany, Italy)
Posted on September 30, 2018
Lunch stop in Bagno Vignoni. (Bagno Vignoni, Tuscany, Italy)
