We left Riccione just after 8.00am (no visit to the hole in the wall this time!) and after stopping at the local supermarket to restock, were on our way to our next destination, Lake Trasimeno in Umbria. Known as the 'green heart of Italy' Umbria is a beautiful region of rolling hills, woods, streams and valleys that gives way to high mountain wilderness. It is well known for the beauty and profusion of it's medieval towns. Lake Trasimeno is Italy's 4th largest lake and is a good base to visit the surrounding area.
The camp site is situated just outside the town of Passignano and has been fairly quiet during our stay (much to our liking) and it offers some stunning views over Lake Trasimeno.
It has been very hot - high 30's with high humidity which in turn has meant lots and lots of mosquitos. Despite all our precautions the little blighters have managed to turn our gorgeous tanned bodies into pin cushions with red blotches everywhere!
Passignano is the nearby town some 3kms away and is easily reached by bike. It didn't take us long to find our way around - bus and train timetables and to work out what was on offer in the town. We were fortunate being here this week as there was a week of merriment with lots of different things happening. The 4 districts of the town challenge each other to a boat race with a difference. as well as a race on the lake they also run through the narrow streets carrying their boats.
There have been lots of other things too. Medieval markets, The Trasimeno Blues Festival, Parades, Fireworks and we have enjoyed being part of it. On Friday we went along to the open air (free) concert with blues singer Otis Taylor (never heard of him but he and his band were rather good). We didn't stay late as we had to cycle back to the camp site and we had an early start on Saturday as we had planned to visit the hill top village of Cortona in nearby Tuscany. For those of you who don't know, this is where the film 'Under the Tuscan Sun' was filmed and if you haven't seen the film I thoroughly recommend that you do!. We left the campsite early to cycle to the station to catch the 8.00am train, then bus up to Cortona. after breakfast of coffee and croissants in the Piazza della Repubblica we climbed up a sleepy warren of steep cobbled lanes to the Chiesa di Santa Margherita.
The remains of Saint Margaret, the patron saint of Cortona, are on display in an ornate 14th c glass sided tomb above the main altar.
A little higher is the Fortezza Medicea, an old fort, Cortona's highest point with stupendous views over the surrounding countryside.
It was market day in Cortona and we enjoyed wandering around - Harry looking in windows at properties for sale - hoping to find his own 'Bramesole'
Our highlight this week though has been our visit to Assisi. The trip exceeded both our expectations and we were glad that we made the effort. Up at 5.30am to cycle to the station to catch the early train - then bus up to the town of Assisi. It was quiet when we arrived and not too hot so wandering around and visiting the sights was very enjoyable. The Basilica di San Francesco was amazing. One of the most moving locations in the Basilica complex is downstairs from the lower Church: the crypt of St Francis, where the saint's body has been laid to rest. Bench seating around the tomb allows time for quiet reflection. We visited several of Assisi's Churches but my favourite was the 13th C Romanesque Duomo di San Rufino which contains the fountain where St Francis and St Clare were baptised.
Assisi has offered us some wonderful views - here are just a couple.
All in all - a truely remarkable day.
We are now going to move on to Florence for a few days - going into culture overload but we are loving it.
Speak to you all next week - lots of love, Kath and Harry xxx
Assisi has offered us some wonderful views - here are just a couple. 
Speak to you all next week - lots of love, Kath and Harry xxx 
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