Assisi on a Hilltop

Italy : Assisi
Winter 2011

On a hilltop in St. Francis' town of Assisi
(Feb-2011)

Journal Entry... I'm thinking, what's a possible place for a day trip from Rome? On hubby's birthday, which was coming up. I was told to close my eyes and imagine... the cool mountain breeze... labyrinth pathways... olive groves and grapevines... a fortress... and mementos from a hometown boy and his female counterpart, Saint Francis and Saint Clare... in the medieval town of Assisi perched on a slope, two hours from Rome. 

Two Peas in Assisi

1-feb: Day trip to Assisi... On hubby's birthday, we woke up early to catch the regional train that leaves the Roma Termini station for Assisi, at 7AM, the earliest schedule. For a minute there, hubby and I could not locate the platform to the train to Assisi. Train ticket said, "1/2", which actually meant that the platform was halfway down the main tracks at Roma Termini station; thanks to the Italian nun who was riding the same train to Assisi, for pointing where the train to Assisi is waiting.

Assisi on a hilltop in the Umbrian region of Italy

This way to the Basilica...

Aboard the now moving train, hubby asked me if I had validated the train tickets. Tip: Yellow-colored ticket validation machines can be found in train platforms; insert the train ticket into the machine slot to validate for day-use, and avoid the penalty fine, before boarding the train. If one forgets, immediately look for the train conductor inside the train for ticket validation, ASAP. I replied to the hubby, "Oh, no!" In rushing to get on board the timed train to Assisi, I had forgotten to do the ticket validation. Immediately, I went looking for the train conductor to have our train tickets to Assisi validated, putting up a tourist's apologetic face while the train conductor put a hole stamp on both tickets.
Outside the Assisi train station, a bus plying the hilly town route awaited the daily visitors. I told the bus driver that he looked like "George Clooney", the movie actor; bus driver said, "Who is that?" to which I said, "Google him... ciao!" First bus stop was at the bottom of the hill... I told the hubby we were getting off at the last bus stop on the hilltop. Better explore the hilly town of Assisi walking a downhill route, than uphill.

St. Francis Basilica in the hill town of Assisi

View of the Basilica from the bus stop at the bottom of the hill

"Birthday Boy"
in Assisi

When in Assisi, do come prepared to battle those uphill and downhill slopes (not necessarily in that order) on a self-guided walking tour. Don't fret if you've only got a day in town. When you can't seem to find your way, don't give up. Things have a way of falling into place in Assisi... Pretty soon finding yourself back on track, with still enough time to spare to catch the return train to Rome. 
Lunch at #PizzeriaOtello: forno pizza, truffle-infused pasta, and soup-of-the-day.

Night scene on the hill town of Assisi

oOo
PHOTOSTITCH

#Italy #Assisi #winter2011

At Roma Termini station... for the Assisi day trip

On a self-guided walking tour of Assisi...