Assisi was by far my favorite stop on the trip thus far! Its gorgeous terrain, beautiful shops, and historic architecture sets it apart from all other parts of Italy. Not to mention, everyone there was very friendly and welcoming. It was much more tourist oriented and less crowded than the larger cities.
To get to Assisi, we took a three hour bus ride. I slept well on the bus, and it was fantastic. Shoutout to our amazing bus driver for the smooth ride!
Once we got off the bus, we headed to the top of Assisi. Matteo gave us some directions and let us have about three hours of free time to shop and purchase souvenirs.
I found an adorable little shop that hand knitted bathroom and kitchen supplies. A majority of the shops in Assisi sold small religious items. I made sure to pick up a few of these, as well.
For lunch, I grabbed a quick panini near the fountain. There was meat hanging from the ceiling, and the smell has officially turned me off from all meats in Italy.
However, I toughed it out and ate half of the sandwich. Sitting by the fountain was my favorite part of the day. It was so great getting some sun. For the first time during the trip, the weather was absolutely gorgeous!
I learned that not all fountains are drinkable. I started to refill my water bottle, and a local man yelled at me to let me not that it was not safe to drink. His intentions were kindhearted, but he definitely startled me. I guess it’s better than being sick!
Laura and I sat and took in the beautiful view from the top of Assisi. You could see for hundreds of miles.
I loved our guided tour and tour guide today. She was very soft spoken and interesting.
Getting to see the Basilica of St. Clare and St. Francis was an incredible opportunity. I never knew that St. Clare’s body had a layer of wax covering it, but it is still on display.
Experiencing the religious aspects of this trip has been one of the most memorable parts of this trip for me. I truly enjoy praying at every church I go into.
After our tours, we had a wine tasting and class dinner. I am still not feeling too hot so I did not eat much. However, the potatoes in the second course were delicious.
Our hotel was glorious. After staying in a small hostel with four other people in Rome, it was nice to have a huge shower and a nice hotel room.
I am looking forward to a good nights rest!