Firstly, I wanted to get a resort in Rome, at the center of it all, but we ended up staying in Assisi, and it was a blessing in disguise. Rome would have been busy, chaotic - Assisi gave you peace and quiet perfection! The only…Read More

Firstly, I wanted to get a resort in Rome, at the center of it all, but we ended up staying in Assisi, and it was a blessing in disguise. Rome would have been busy, chaotic - Assisi gave you peace and quiet perfection! The only noise you'll hear are throngs of tourists stomping the streets! It's best to put on your walking shoes, for walking is the best way to go around Assisi. Some nonsensical people attempted to drive their cars along its narrow streets, only to be thwarted by the crowds!

I fell in love with the picturesque medieval town, so full of history (not to mention the birthplace of my favorite saint!). We enjoyed meandering through its winding, cobbled streets, where every corner surprised you with quaint little shops - some, seemingly out-of-place with garish souvenirs, but most sold beautiful ceramic wares and religious icons. There was one store which had Da Vinci memorabilia and souvenir items. I tend to wander around, searching every nook, and several times, my husband and I lost each other, only to end up on the same street we started from - it was fun!

The highlight was the visit to the lower church to view the saint's tomb. Although I'm not Catholic, I appreciated the utmost reverence the people held for their hometown saint. I even got a litle surprise from a Franciscan brother who also hailed from the Philippines (it's a small world, indeed!)

It's a marvel that the people of Assisi were able to rebuild the town after a devastating earthquake four or five years ago. You could see some evidence of reconstruction here and there - huge cranes rebuilding cracks in the wall, etc. But, other than that, Assisi is glorious in its medieval splendor!

We travelled to Italy in April, 2002, and brought our niece from Alaska. This was her early graduation present. We stayed at the Carpediem Assisi Living Club in the beautiful town of Assisi, and did one day trips to Florence, Pisa, Venice, Rome, and other…Read More

We travelled to Italy in April, 2002, and brought our niece from Alaska. This was her early graduation present. We stayed at the Carpediem Assisi Living Club in the beautiful town of Assisi, and did one day trips to Florence, Pisa, Venice, Rome, and other medieval towns in the scenic hill region of Umbria. The views are utterly breathtaking in springtime!

We survived driving the Italian Autostrada in our economy rental car, clocking speeds of 140 km/hr, which is nothing compared to how Italians drive! We learned riding the city buses and trains in Rome, and water buses around Venice. My dream come true was seeing the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the awesome Roman Colosseum, and Michelangelo's marvelous paintings in the Sistine Chapel. An added bonus was an appearance by the Pope in St. Peter's Basilica!

We paid homage to St. Francis's tomb in Assisi, meandered through the narrow cobbled streets of Corciano and Gubbio. My husband even managed to squeeze in a round of golf at the Perugia Golf Club.

While Florence gave us a glimpse of the Renaissance, Venice was steeped in the magic of the Middle Ages - the Piazza di San Marco, the infamous Pallazo Ducale, and its gondolas and canals.

But, all roads lead to Rome, and we literally marched through its glorious past - the Roman Forum, Colosseum, Palatini, and favorite tourist sites like the Piazza Venezia, Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps.

It was a hectic but wonderful and very educational trip. A good map, travel book, and a language guide proved very useful indeed.

Assisi is so well known for its churches, especially that of Saint Francis . . . but also for its footwear! I have been frequenting this store and thought that I might as well let the cat out of the bag on this great find! Brunelli…Read More

Assisi is so well known for its churches, especially that of Saint Francis . . . but also for its footwear! I have been frequenting this store and thought that I might as well let the cat out of the bag on this great find!

Brunelli Angelo & C. SAS Shoe Shop
Via A. Fortini 18
Assisi, ITALY
Tele: +039.075.1234567

Keep walking along the single uphill street perpendicular to the Church of St Francis, after about 800m you will arrive at this shoe store. The owner is very friendly and his son speaks English. All prices are negotiable and the styles are always in fashion. Here you get Milanese fashion at Roman prices . . . whatever that might mean! As a tip: see what his son wears -- that guy's never wrong!

Like other medieval Italian towns, sprawling on the slopes of the mountains of Assisi was built, as it allowed him to relief, and as a result formed a narrow, elongated body of the city across the slope, still gravitating up the hill. Erected on top…Read More

Like other medieval Italian towns, sprawling on the slopes of the mountains of Assisi was built, as it allowed him to relief, and as a result formed a narrow, elongated body of the city across the slope, still gravitating up the hill. Erected on top of a powerful fortress - the Rocca Maggiore, built by the Spanish Cardinal Gil Albornasom, for 17 years, restored in the area shaken the papal throne and built in many cities fortifications.

The main axis of the city is the Basilica of San Francesco to the Duomo. From her helter-skelter down the narrow streets and climb, climb under the arches, again connected. On the walls - many pots of flowers. Plenty of cozy nooks and corners.

What you notice immediately, entering the city of Assisi color - pale pink. Amazingly beautiful shade of stone quarries in the local! And as the sun sank lower, this shade was manifested all the brighter.

The street of San Francesco we got to the city's main square - Piazza del Commune. First there was the Community Forum. The oldest building - the Church of Our Lady of Minerva, (built on the site of a pagan temple I c. BC. E.) With Corinthian columns and a narrow triangular pediment. To the left of it - the Palazzo Affairs Captain with a bell tower, on the contrary - dei Priori Pallatstso (a complex of four buildings, one of which is urban Pinakothek). In the middle of the fountain. In general, a standard set of components of the central square.Close

I love ceramics and collect at least one piece from just about everywhere I travel. I am not one to have a collection just for show - I use these serving pieces - bowls, plates, pitchers, and so forth - all the time.…Read More

I love ceramics and collect at least one piece from just about everywhere I travel. I am not one to have a collection just for show - I use these serving pieces - bowls, plates, pitchers, and so forth - all the time. My favorite ceramics are from Italy and we're lucky to get there quite often. Deruta, south of Siena and west of Assisi, is an Italian town famous for its ceramics and I especially love the geometric patterns that they seem to specialize in. But there are many other types available, with figures and flowery designs. There's something to suit just about anyone and any style.

Both Siena and Assisi I have found to be outstanding places for the selection of ceramics. I haven't yet been to Deruta itself but it's on my list. I do remember being in Siena one time and falling in love with two bowls. I couldn't make up my mind - my step-daughter was with me and asked why didn't I just buy both! This was not a concept familiar to me, but decided to go crazy. I've loved both those bowls (pictured) ever since.Close