Heading North To Orvieto!

There wasn't another square inch in their auto after packing it for the seven of us and all our junk! Good job guys!

We drove over 1700 miles in Italy during the past week. I must say that the freeway driving is much better than in town. Also it gets more like what we are use to the farther north one gets. All the major highways are toll roads and we paid over 150 Euro within the week. I am amazed we don’t have that going on more in the US. On our trip north we went to several smaller towns which were just delightful.

Our first stop was Orvieto, a wonderful town not far north of Rome. I think it was our favorite of all the places we visited this time. Orvieto is not a tourist town on the grand scale but, it should be. Orvieto is a double-decker town. Right in the middle of this quaint little place is a very high mountain from which you can see vistas like you would not believe. In earlier times the Popes found this to be a perfect get away from the noise, blistering heat and dust of Rome. It is so much cooler, prettier, and some even resorted to doing all their Papal duties from Orvieto.

Getting the tram tickets

For one Euro you can take a tram to the top. It is just a short ride and very beautiful. It moves something like the elevator on the Eiffel Tower. It goes up diagonally with the floor of the tram remaining parallel to the ground, hugging the cliffs so you don’t feel like you are hanging from a basket over a big precipice. The ride is swift and short and that is how I like those kinds of things.

To the left of the station there is a walled castle area with lookout points used to protect and defend the city in days gone by. Walking out on these points is like truly having a bird’s eye view of the whole area. It is no wonder the Popes felt secure here. You could see the enemy approaching for miles around with a 360 degree view. What you see today are the most beautiful green smaller mountains and rolling hills, vineyards, the lower deck of the city, and the city wall which remains intact to this day. The large stones are covered with this gorgeous moss and you truly feel you are someplace special. When you could cast your eyes upon this vista you knew you didn’t mind all the rain as much, knowing that it produced such eye candy for the heart and soul.

Entering the castle walls for the view below

The mossy fortress walls

The first view was a little disappointing~we were on top of the fog!

Then the fog started to quickly lift and we saw this!

Note the little red swing!

For that same Euro you pay at the bottom of the mountain you can get a free pass to ride the bus to the Duomo of Orvieto and the main piazza. I like that they do not try to gouge you on this ride, they could if they were so inclined.

Off the Piazza you will find great shopping on their little alleyways and during the winter there is an ice rink just for kids, where Spencer and Ross tried their luck at ice skating for the first time. They had a ball and so did we as we watched them get pretty good at it in short order. The fearless factor does wonders for acquiring this new skill. Jim, Gloria and Robert and the boys also went on a cave tour that originated in the piazza that lasted about 90 minutes so Laura and I could wander around the shopping area at a leisurely pace. We had a wonderful time in this little town! Don’t miss it if you are ever any place nearby.

The Duomo of Orvieto

Shopping with my girl!

Ice rink, not too crowded and a perfect place to learn.

Ross found a Roman friend and got some skating tips in Italian

We left as the sun (using the term loosely as it was overcast) was thinking about setting and the temperature was dropping significantly for the night. We pulled into our hotel in Pisa a few hours later and got settled for the five day stay there. We stayed at Camp Darby, a military base about 15 minutes from the Leaning Tower. It is not at all fancy but very comfortable and we had two rooms, Jim and his mom and I had one and the kids had the other right next door, it was perfect. The whole day was perfect actually! In our opinion, Orvieto, the best possible value for one Euro in the country! There may be one possible exception, St. Peter's Basillica which is free, but that is like comparing apples and oranges. Best all around goes to Orvieto, hands down.

Heading to Aviano and Nove in the Veneto

Aviano is the most northern town on the trip schedule and we planned to stay three nights at the Air Force Base. We left Verona a little before dusk with a little trepidation as it was very cold and the farther north we went the bigger chance we had of running into snow and ice. Fortunately our prayers were answered and we were fine. We pulled in after dark after a bit of a wild goose chase around the base. Our GPS got a little muddled and it was comical really. We could drive around and around the base but could not find the entrance gate. Look Kids, It's Big Ben Uncle Sam!

You can see a little piece of my Italy shirt ~ Laura fell in love.
She wanted one so badly but I got it in Utah. Go Figure!
I left it for her at the end of the trip.
Maybe with the help of a very hot dryer it will
shrink to fit her cuteness.
It was meant to be hers.
{Sorry off track, way too long caption!}

Anyway, once inside the gate we were so happy with the accommodations there. Talk about a beautiful base. I love how the military branches share their facilities. Sometimes when you have been traveling for a while it is a bit like coming home to the USA when you arrive. We had two apartments and they were so comfortable and nice.

Can you believe this kitchen?

We were pretty exhausted from our day in Verona, the drive and unpacking everything again so we all hit the hay and had a good night's sleep. But first we went to a wonderful Italian restaurant and had the best dinner!

Jim's mom sporting a new knitted hat

she bought in Verona!

Yes, that is plain, ole, naked spaghetti
Rossie is eating! Kids are too funny.
The calamari fritti was much better!

The next day was a play day for Robert and the boys on the base and Laura, Jim, Gloria and I had plans to go to Nove, the pottery and ceramic hot spot in all of Italy. When we woke up and looked outside it was no surprise that it was rainy. Heavenly days, does it ever stop raining in December? Coming from our drought-ridden California, I was beginning to think it was time to build an arc until I remembered the promise of a rainbow. Whew!

Anyway, off we went with the idea it wasn't very far. Two and a half hours later we had arrived. Here are some of the beautiful scenic views along the way and we actually ran into big patches of blue skies. We rejoiced! Light and warmth made all the difference!

Here are some car shots.
We got off to an early start!

So Quaint!

No idea what this was but found
the gated "yard" pretty cool!

Now this is GREEN!

Even ordinary things look
great in this landscape!

Nove was just great. This is where the scale was tipped and we needed to consider shipping some stuff home. The clothes we brought could fit, the Christmas gifts could fit, the small things we purchased could fit, the tour books of favorite places, yep, but the gorgeous salad bowl I bought and another smaller orange bowl for our kitchen, umm, no way!

The pottery here and the prices were beyond unbelievable. Think of the most gorgeous, large, all white salad bowl with raised impressions of garlic bulbs, scallions, tomatoes, rosemary, etc. around the edge. Think Pottery Barn where they send them and then think...10 euro! A no brainer! Sold to the California girl! I would have needed a cargo container to bring back all the gifts I wanted to bring for each of you! If you ever go to Italy...do not miss this place!

The Bowl!

As With Most Things~The Beauty is in the Details!

The pottery is made right there in the town and Jim enjoyed taking some photos. There are about 12 factories and the production areas are downstairs and the showrooms are upstairs. Keeping in mind that shopping is not his forte, I'm glad he found something to do that was fun for him since he was in the car 5 hours to get to and from Nove!

Our girl, in the red coat, perusing the finished products.
This place is huge and the selection overwhelming!
We managed nicely though! :-)