Another Guest Blog From Italy
Last week I posted a guest blog from my sister, Laura’s, recent trip to Italy. There were so many wonderful comments and I would like to share with all of you another day of her adventures.
In my previous guest blog posting, I documented our arrival in Italy on Friday morning and our drive from Rome to Orvieto in Umbria. Wanting to experience as much of Italy as possible, later that day we were introduced to the ancient Etruscan hilltop town of Orvieto, where we wandered the cobblestone streets and ultimately, shared a delicious meal. Jetlag aside, we were up early the following morning and fueled by a strong brew of coffee, we were off on our next Italian adventure.
1 Randy and I woke up on Saturday morning to this view from our bedroom window, beckoning us to rise.
2 The morning was splendid in Umbria. The early morning light is just so amazing!
3 This is our host's living room in her wonderfully restored home in Umbria. The stunning vaulted brick ceiling is original to the villa. This area served as the attached barn where all the farm animals were kept.
4 The room had no fireplace and this one was designed by our host after finding this massive cornice in a stone salvage shop in Tavernelle. We asked her to take us there.
5 The name of the salvage/stone yard is Marmi Gobbini - Gobbini, the owner and Marmi, Italian for marble. As you can see, the inventory includes many fabulous objects.
6 This, for instance, is a traditional grinding stone for making olive oil. The olives are crushed into a mash by the upright wheels, which are turned by donkey power, as the attached donkey walks around and around.
7 These are similar planting troughs like the one I showed you in my first guest blog from Italy. That one, probably from India, was purchased here.
8 This is most likely the surround for an ancient water well.
9 Many sizes of water troughs
10 This is an ancient bathtub. I hope the stone was a bit more polished when it was in use many, many years ago.
11 The fascinating salvage yard is just one facet of the business. This is the very diverse stone yard, which provides stone surfaces from an amazing inventory of both old and new.
12 It was the weekend and the crew was off. On any given week day, this large stone saw is whirring away, cutting custom stone surfaces.
13 Another apparatus that smooths and polishes the cut stone
14 After the stone yard, we drove to the Medieval hilltop town called Panicale. Lake Trasimeno, in the distance, is where the Romans suffered one of their worst military defeats by Hannibal, of the Carthaginians, in 217 BC.
15 Panicale is a walled town and every building inside the walls of this tight-knit community is literally attached to every other building!
16 At the center of town is the beautiful Chiesa Collegiata di San Michel Arcangelo, or Church of St. Michael the Archangel.
17 While we were there, a funeral was taking place for one of the local town's people. The procession wandered down the steep hill to the cemetery. As expected, as the mood in town was very somber as the church bells tolled.
18 The facade of Chiesa Collegiata di San Michel Arcangelo
19 It was very dark inside the Duomo, but this photo turned out well despite the low light, revealing beautifully preserved paintings and frescoes.
20 One of the tiny markets in the village where the locals shop and get all the latest news and gossip - In addition to a few different grocery stores, there are hairdressers, flower shops, a pharmacy, restaurants, and cafés.
21 This arch was especially intriguing with it's incredible detail. It even has an air-shaft, allowing for sunlight. Notice the flower blooming in the window box overhead?
22 A very high arch between buildings with a connecting room at the top
23 There are many rooftop gardens - this one has plenty of culinary herbs growing.
24 I really liked all this greenery growing between the stones.
25 One must be in great shape to live in this village with it's many steep stairs and ramp ways.
26 The Medieval lookout tower beyond helped to warn of impending danger in ancient history.
27 Obviously, these buildings were constructed extremely well of bricks, stone, and mortar.
28 The views are spectacular.
29 Another great view across the terra-cotta tiled roofs and the valley below
30 After Panicale, we drove a distance to the famous wine region of Montepulciano. This Medieval and Renaissance hill town is another walled jewel, which overlooks Umbria and Tuscany.
31 Montepulciano, has an elevation of 605m, or about 2,000ft. The narrow streets are lined with many shops and eateries. Wine connoisseurs consider Montepulciano's Vino Nobile among Italy's best.
32 I was immediately drawn to this charming little shop, redolent of the elegant aroma of tartufo, or fresh truffles.
33 Staircases lead to even greater heights.
34 Narrow streets require narrow trucks, like this delivery truck on its morning runs to the local restaurants.
35 Beyond narrow
36 There is great pride in how one's home looks, even on the top floor.
37 Looking up at this building, notice the gorgeous wavy old glass window panes? Again, there is so much history everywhere!
38 Thinking of getting rid of your old shoes? Think again!
39 After a pizza and a glass of Vino Nobile, our next destination was the Tuscan hilltop town of Montalcino, also world-famous for its wine, in particular, Brunello, and also for its fine honey.
40 Like many Medieval towns of the area, there were long periods of peace and prosperity. However, it was important to be prepared for the interruptions of battle. This is the Fortezza, a 14th century fortress with impressive ramparts.
41 A fabulous selection of wines may be sampled inside the Fortezza in the Enoteca.
42 The shelves of the enoteca are lined with an amazing selection.
43 At the tasting bar, we ordered a taste of Brunello and Sassicaia. Both were outstanding and we bought three bottles of the Brunello.
44 Sassicaia with its distinctive 'star' label
45 Two great Brunello labels
46 The first walls of this fabulous Medieval town were built in the 13th century.
47 This is the Piazza del Popolo.
48 The most important monument of Montalcino is the 13th century Palazzo Comunale, or Palazzo dei Priori, whose tall and scenic brick and stone clock tower dominates the picturesque Piazza del Popolo.
49 A band was warming up on a terrace rooftop for the evening's entertainment.
50 The band
51 This vacationing couple was out for their Montalcino jog.
52 The paint colors throughout the area are superb.
53 One of several enotecas
54 Two local ladies, perhaps sisters, strolling through the piazza
55 Caffé Fiaschetteria Italiana in the Piazza was founded by Ferruccio Biondi Santi, the inventor of the Brunello wine. The first great vintage of Brunello was the legendary 1888.
56 Beautiful and colorful detail on this building
57 A closer look
58 A study in roof tiles and the fields beyond
59 A view from Montalcino as we were leaving
60 Vibrant Tuscan colors
61 An estate in the distance with tall, narrow cypress trees and bushy pignoli, or pine nut trees.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
Laura, it is all so beautiful, especially the very first picture.
I'm going back and look, in a few minutes, at all the pictures, again I know I've missed something.
Thanks for sharing!
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | October 18th, 2011 at 12:18 am
Another wonderful post from your sister Laura, amazing morning view from the villa. Love the brick ceiling in the living room, what a beautiful fireplace love it. Thank you for sharing your amazing tour. I love Italy, who doesn't!
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | October 18th, 2011 at 1:18 am
PS I missed those eagles in photo #5 the first time. My brother would love to own those. And, I would love to give them to him...if only.........
I saw a few things at the stone salvage shop I'd like, also, but...alas, alas.......
Martha, are you going to buy the olive press? Even if you never used it, it would look great at your farm.
I like all the different boxes the wine is in as I collect boxes, among a hundred other things.
Thanks, Laura, and I hope there is more to come.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | October 18th, 2011 at 1:53 am
Beautiful and breathtaking! Very nice photographs and stories of the area. Laura, looks like a perfect vacation.
Posted by: Susie Poss | October 18th, 2011 at 7:54 am
The medieval towns look so quaint! I love the potted flowers on the balconies and window boxes. Some of them look like geraniums maybe? The two ladies strolling the piazza look so stylish! And can I tell you that view from your bedroom at the villa would make me pinch myself to see if I was dreaming. Thanks for sharing more of your trip to Italy.
Posted by: Cindy F | October 18th, 2011 at 8:28 am
Thanks for sharing more pictures and captions from your Italian trip. Really am enjoying traveling vicariously.;-)
Posted by: Burndett Andres | October 18th, 2011 at 9:28 am
What a fabulous post! Those photos are breathtaking. Such a wonderful adventure and you are fortunate to know your host!!
Posted by: Stephanie | October 18th, 2011 at 9:34 am
Martha, wonderful another blog from Laura. Laura, more nice photos from Italy, what a wonderful place to spend vacation. Thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | October 18th, 2011 at 9:35 am
Hi Laura and Martha,
I stopped at picture #20 to quickly comment on the woman behind the counter. I wonder if she is the ‘Liz Smith’ of her tiny fruit and vegetable market and it goes without saying-‘buy a juicy orange and I’ll tell you a juicy story’. Ha-ha. Actually, the fruit and vegetables both look pretty good though. In picture #25, I would think even if one wasn’t in good shape, it wouldn’t be long before they were. That’s where I need to live so I’d be forced to climb stairs! All of these photos are so fabulous – I love seeing the narrow streets and quaint dwellings. So much brick everywhere and like you said, they take pride in their homes. I know of a few cities that could stand to learn a thing or two about that. I’m from Detroit and still can’t believe the destruction that went on in that city, for example the beautiful theaters I used to attend, etc. Thanks for sharing your wonderful vacation with us. Pictures tell such interesting stories! Trish
Posted by: Trish | October 18th, 2011 at 9:58 am
Wow, great photo. There is a hint of Thomas Kincaid about it.
Posted by: r. steven page | October 18th, 2011 at 10:08 am
Oh how very lovely! I would like to be tagging along with Laura.
Posted by: sherey | October 18th, 2011 at 10:36 am
Hi Again Laura, Thank you so much for giving us a continuation of your wonderful trip to Italy! You are not only a great photographer, but your comments are superb! Having never been to Italy personally, I've learned so much about it's historical developement through your fantastic blog posting! All of these photos are extremely stunning and it feels like I was there! I love every structure you shared with us, especially your host's beautiful home! All of the buildings in the village are so lovely and the bricks, stones, and mortar have sure been around for ages and the stairways are superb, also! The only thing missing is a photo of you and Randy-that would be terrific to see!! Thanks again for this delightful tour! Hope you have a great day and say Hi to sister Martha! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | October 18th, 2011 at 10:50 am
Hi martha,
i'm from Venice Italy and i love your website, most the halloween crafts!!!
I pass hours on the site and i already took a lots of ideas and i've to thank you sooooo much!!!
Ciao stefania from italy
Posted by: stefania | October 18th, 2011 at 12:24 pm
Laura and Martha,
The blog (s) is so inspiring. The pictures are so good and the commentary just perfect. I enjoy how you weave the story and leave us inspired. Goodness I have just bumped up sweeping my brick patio to the top of my to do list for the day------all because your pictures show us such a clean brick city. Not sure the stone bath tubs make me want to clean mine maybe just go admire it.
Thanks for your devotion to doing your best in presenting this blog.
Posted by: Margie | October 18th, 2011 at 1:23 pm
Laura, thank you for bringing back memories of our trip last year to Orvieto (did you ever see such a moon), as well as to Montelcino.
Posted by: JudySchell | October 18th, 2011 at 4:19 pm
pic 1 - Yes Laura, a perfect wake-up call.
pic 2 - Enchantingly colorful scene.
pic 4 - A lovely enhancement of stone.
pic 21 - An air shaft - how clever.
pic 24 - Me too and the green shutters,so
earthy.
pics 28 - Quality pictures, say so much.
29
pic 30 - Wow, really dig that cloud puff.
The right place at the right time.
pic 60 - A rhapsody in green.
Thankyou Laura.
Martha, i think your sister Laura is a keeper.
.
.
Posted by: celia stock | October 18th, 2011 at 5:07 pm
Laura,
You are a gifted and talented photographer! Your images of Italy
made me want to call the local travel agent and book a flight immediately
to Umbria. How beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
~ Kelly
Posted by: Kelly | October 18th, 2011 at 5:21 pm
Am I the only one who sees a jolly face in the mother of pearl sky in that first picture? I've been to Italy, and many other European destinations. It's great that you are seeing that wonderful country, Laura!!
Posted by: Leigh | October 18th, 2011 at 7:15 pm
Hello Martha
Reading your blog is always an amazing time for me. I loved the wonderful pictures from Italy. I'm a descendant from Italians.
Laura got gorgeous pictures.
Congrats
Malú
Posted by: Maria Lúcia | October 18th, 2011 at 10:58 pm
Up and down trough Italy: every place is a jewel, every step is a step in the history, everywhere you can find something unforgettable...
It's a luck to be Italian and live here. Few of us really appreciate this.
Thanks for sharing!
Manuela from Roma
Posted by: Manuela | October 19th, 2011 at 5:34 am
Boyfriends come and go but a sister is forever.
Love this Martha feature and you are both doing well, teaching us LIVING.
Posted by: ann | October 19th, 2011 at 7:54 am
Thank you Martha, the views are beautiful and fantastic.
Posted by: Roxana | October 19th, 2011 at 12:55 pm
Italy looks absolutely beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Jackie Stenhouse | October 19th, 2011 at 9:18 pm
beautiful!
Posted by: rob | October 20th, 2011 at 10:02 am
Laura, your photographs take my breath away! You awoke to "Heaven on Earth"!
Exquisite.
Thank you for sharing your days filled with magic and inspiration.
Posted by: Janet Slom | October 21st, 2011 at 11:47 pm
Hi, Martha, Laura, and Randy,
Thank you for sharing your wonderful photos and stories. Very enjoyable. I giggled at the early bathtub and the STOP sign painted in the street. Picture #58 is absolutely stunning! I felt like I was there!
Thank you.
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Posted by: Hoa Almarez | October 26th, 2011 at 2:14 pm