Incredibly Interesting Itinerary
Morning came early, with breakfast at 7:00 and then on the bus by 8:00. Once again, was the let down of saying goodbye, side-by-side with the anticipation of what was to come.
At 10:00 Little Ricky pulled the bus to a stop near the town of Orvieto. We walked over to a little market place and browsed around while others took advantage of the nearby bathroom.
LOOK! STAIRS!
Orvieto is a hill town. So we took the funicular up the mountainside.
LOOK! STAIRS!
Orvieto is a hill town. So we took the funicular up the mountainside.
Dimitri gave us two and a half hours to explore the charming town. He told us to be sure to check out the cathedral. He also reminded us not to be afraid to open doors and really explore. "What's the worst that can happen? You say "Oops" and close the door? It's okay!"
Lannie and I decided to explore together and headed into town.
Lannie and I decided to explore together and headed into town.
Curious Capture
Orvieto is in the Umbria region of Italy that dates back to Etruscan (a civilization of ancient Italy) times. It has a population of around 21,000 people. The Patron Saint of Orvieto is Saint Joseph.
While I haven't read or learned anything in particular about Orvieto and boar or pigs, there was plenty of evidence on our visit to make me believe they play an important role in Orvieton society!
We stopped for a light lunch, which for me was a pork sandwich and a bottle of water. Then it was off to shop!
Orvieto is an easy town to fall in love with. The people are friendly, the place is easy to navigate, and the town is full of personality.
I really wanted to find some unique souvenirs- and I did!
I found Orvieto's version of Victoria's Secret. It's called Intimissimi. I dragged Lannie inside, because I thought it would be funny to buy my husband some funny, sexy Italian undies! After a bit of searching, I found a pair of bright blue boxer briefs with little red boats on them. Perfect! I had the sales lady bag them up.
It figured. I was exiting the store with my package right as Dimitri walked by. He got a surprised and sheepish look on his face when he saw the bag I carried. "I bought my husband a little present, wanna see?" I held up my bag and grinned at him. "No!" He sounded mortified. "I don't want to know what you bought in there!" He gave me a humorously appalled look and kept on walking. It wasn't until a few seconds later that I realized he probably thought I was going to show him some naughty women's lingerie! Oh dear! Lannie thought that was hilarious!
We then stumbled across a cute little shop that sold things for the home. We had some fun looking at all the gadgets and trinkets. That's when I found my perfect souvenirs...
While I haven't read or learned anything in particular about Orvieto and boar or pigs, there was plenty of evidence on our visit to make me believe they play an important role in Orvieton society!
We stopped for a light lunch, which for me was a pork sandwich and a bottle of water. Then it was off to shop!
Orvieto is an easy town to fall in love with. The people are friendly, the place is easy to navigate, and the town is full of personality.
I really wanted to find some unique souvenirs- and I did!
I found Orvieto's version of Victoria's Secret. It's called Intimissimi. I dragged Lannie inside, because I thought it would be funny to buy my husband some funny, sexy Italian undies! After a bit of searching, I found a pair of bright blue boxer briefs with little red boats on them. Perfect! I had the sales lady bag them up.
It figured. I was exiting the store with my package right as Dimitri walked by. He got a surprised and sheepish look on his face when he saw the bag I carried. "I bought my husband a little present, wanna see?" I held up my bag and grinned at him. "No!" He sounded mortified. "I don't want to know what you bought in there!" He gave me a humorously appalled look and kept on walking. It wasn't until a few seconds later that I realized he probably thought I was going to show him some naughty women's lingerie! Oh dear! Lannie thought that was hilarious!
We then stumbled across a cute little shop that sold things for the home. We had some fun looking at all the gadgets and trinkets. That's when I found my perfect souvenirs...
One of the interesting tidbits I'd observed in Europe was the size of their spoons. They have huge spoons for soup, and little spoons to stir drinks. I'd rarely seen a regular sized (to us) teaspoon. At this little store in Orvieto, they had two big glasses filled with decorative spoons that were slightly smaller than teaspoons, but very cute. I thought they would make perfect keepsakes for me. I usually start my mornings with a bowl of cereal. With my cute little spoons, I could think of my trip fondly each morning. They were inexpensive, colorful and interesting, lightweight, durable, and easy to fit in my suitcase.
Lannie and I had such a nice time, exploring the shops and back roads of Orvieto. We even managed to open a few doors. When we opened one, we found this...
Curious Capture
As our time dwindled, we decided to get ourselves to the lovely Cathedral. Our timing was perfect, as we got there just in time to witness a young couple both getting married and baptizing their adorable baby daughter.
Being situated on a butte at the top of the hill, Orvieto has some amazing views. We paused briefly to enjoy them as we rushed to meet the gang near the funicular.
Making our way to Montorosso
We had one more pit stop on our way to the Cinque Terre. While there, Little Ricky managed to spill coffee all over his lap, making it appear that he's wet his pants! It would be naughty to tease somebody about something like that.
I'm naughty.
After leaving Orvietto, Richard hit the switch that lowered several mini TV screens from the ceiling. A camera mounted on the front of the bus activated, and suddenly, we were being given some incredible views. We also became witness to his AMAZING driving skills. The roads became narrower and narrower, often only one vehicle wide. The roads became twisty and full of hairpin curves. Only one little wrong move and... you'd be reliving some pretty awful movie scenes of vehicles going off the edge of a cliff and falling... falling...
I'm naughty.
After leaving Orvietto, Richard hit the switch that lowered several mini TV screens from the ceiling. A camera mounted on the front of the bus activated, and suddenly, we were being given some incredible views. We also became witness to his AMAZING driving skills. The roads became narrower and narrower, often only one vehicle wide. The roads became twisty and full of hairpin curves. Only one little wrong move and... you'd be reliving some pretty awful movie scenes of vehicles going off the edge of a cliff and falling... falling...
Little Ricky deposited us safely at the train station before 5PM. We, "The Thundering Herd", made our way down several flights of stairs and to the waiting platform.
Rolling our luggage noisily behind us, we walked through the town and to the Punta Mesco Hotel.
Home Happy Home~ Punta Mesco Hotel
The hotel was great, very "beachy". The fact that we were only a block from the beach was a great bonus!
Many of our rooms had a little balcony or patio. I had some of my tour mates come out to play! Here are Herb and Bucky, Lannie, Pat and Ila!
Many of our rooms had a little balcony or patio. I had some of my tour mates come out to play! Here are Herb and Bucky, Lannie, Pat and Ila!
Memorable Moment
Unfortunately the lighting is such in this picture, that you can't see the ocean in the background behind me! But I could see it. And I was in love!
Dimitri told us we had access to laundry service in Monterosso. The facility was just steps away from the hotel. I quickly threw my dirties into a bag, and dropped it off, along with my room number. I walked over to the beach, ready to take in the views.
When I got back to the hotel, Joe and Julie were relaxing on the front terrace. They invited me to join them in a glass of wine. We were soon joined by Barb and Imants and later, Barb and Tom.
This knocked up young thing was looking for love in all the wrong places.
The rest of the group filtered to the terrace and Dimitri found us and walked us to where we would have our group supper. The walk was right along the beach as it was preparing for sunset. It was a lovely stroll.
Joe and I walking with our group to dinner. Picture courtesy of Joe's wife, Julie.
Dinner was at the Belvedere Restaurant and WOW, what a great meal! We had swordfish with potatoes, home-made pasta with pesto (which originates in the area) and potatoes (mixed in with the noodles and pesto), gelato with fruit and biscotti for dessert. There was plenty of wine!
Stuffed to the gills, our group was outside making evening plans when an insistent little bell kept ringing. Then all of a sudden there was Little Ricky, his large frame nearly overwhelming the bike he was sat upon. He rang his bell and grinned, calling out to us as he approached. It cracked us up! Leave it to Little Ricky to make an entrance!
It was kind of funny because almost everywhere we went, the locals would tease Dimitri and Richard, rubbing their bellies and calling them fat! The men admitted they'd put on a bit of weight around their middles. LR had told me he has a bike that he sometimes brings along on the bus for riding, but hadn't brought it this time around. He'd borrowed this bike from a friend.
It was kind of funny because almost everywhere we went, the locals would tease Dimitri and Richard, rubbing their bellies and calling them fat! The men admitted they'd put on a bit of weight around their middles. LR had told me he has a bike that he sometimes brings along on the bus for riding, but hadn't brought it this time around. He'd borrowed this bike from a friend.
Memorable Moment
Everybody departed the restaurant around 8PM. Lannie and I decided to walk along the beach. I was a little dizzy from the wine (imagine that!) so was glad for the leisurely stroll and the company. We met up with Pat, and I suggested we all go dip our feet in the water. It was much too dark and cold to swim, but I was compelled to touch the water.
Memorable Moment
Monterosso... It's the life! Stunning views, delicious hearty meals, sunset strolls, ocean waves... what's not to love!
Tom and Ila found us and we all walked back to the hotel together. I was pleased to see my fresh laundry folded in a bag on my bed. I went outside on the back patio where many of my tour mates were. We chatted until about 11PM.
Fantastic Day!
Tom and Ila found us and we all walked back to the hotel together. I was pleased to see my fresh laundry folded in a bag on my bed. I went outside on the back patio where many of my tour mates were. We chatted until about 11PM.
Fantastic Day!