Italia 2017 - Now Brought To You From The Salento

And where you ask is The Salento? It is the southern most tip of the boot heel. A part of the area known as Puglia, it is yet different from the rest of that area. Wife and I didn't even know where we were going to go next until just a few days ago. But after all our time in the Emilia-Romangne, Tuscany and Umbria, we knew we wanted something completely different. And this is proving to be it.

This area has a history unlike anywhere else in Italy with the exception of Sicily. It was part of the greater Greek world, then conquered by Rome and a part of that sphere. Invasions by the Goths and Lombards followed and then the Saracens. In the 9th century, Byzantium conquered the area and held sway for 150 years reinforcing Greek tendencies. There followed control by Normans from Sicily, French control via the Kings of Naples, Hapsburg Spain, Bourbon control again from Naples, etc.

But the Greek influence here is strong. We originally planned to go to three major towns that are well known. But our B&B hosts suggested a tour of local towns that have hidden gems. It was more than we expected...way more. In fact it was like Siena, I took over a hundred and twenty pictures and it took hours tonight to just go through them. I will have put them into more than one post I think. Looking forward to sharing it with you.

Italia 2017 - THE Most Medieval Town In Umbira

At least that is what our guide book said. And given that you can barely drive 10 kilometers in any direction in Umbria and not be in some Medieval city that is saying something. Don't believe me? Well take it right from the city's self-promotion mouth.

Last year at this time, I had a guest blogger take us through a similar Medieval town. You let someone have a bit of fame and it goes to their head. Though that head is a bit taller than it was a year ago.

Hmm Sis. I'm bored. Here we are in this Medieval town. There should be something we can do to have some fun.

Say isn't that blogger guy you did a post for last year in San Remo, when you got me from those creepy folks trying to lure me with clean nappies?

I think you're right

I could use a little more blogesphere recognition

Sounds good to me Sis. Probably should run it by Moms though. He is her Father.

Okay, what are you two up to?

We thought we would convince Grandpa to have us star in one of his blog posts

Yah, I want to be a blog star too

Your Grandfather, the notorious paparazzi? 

NOOOOOO

You don't know what you are getting yourselves into

We need to get away. Let's take the elevator up to the upper ruins

Quick!

No! He's found us!

I'm not afraid

I'm going to be a blog star

Arrgghh, the dark power of the paparazzi is taking me over.

Oh blog readers

Look out upon the most Medieval of towns in Umbria

And now Mister Grandpa Blogger

Come with me

And I will show you something really worth getting excited about

Here we are

Lunch!

Cured meat antipasti with local flat bread

A pasta with mushrooms and sausage in a light cream sauce

A frittata with truffles

A lovely plate of ravioli

One of the most incredible pastas ever

The noodles were baked to a light flaky crispness. There was a meat ragu inside while the sauce was a meat/cream thing.

Not sure how they got the chicken so browned and yet moist inside

And a dessert of a cream like a creme brullee with a top of light crunchy things

Italia 2017 - Assisi

Thursday was a day trip to the Medieval hill town of Assisi - as in Saint Francis of...fame. There haven't been too many places Wife and I have visited in our travels that are serious places of faith veneration but Assisi certainly was and you could tell the the difference by the attitude of the visitors and by the serious devotion of many of them. As a major place of pilgrimage, there is a air of prosperity in the town plus the Basilica dedicated to St. Francis' is as one would expect in top shape. It was yet another spectacular rendition of the Medieval/Renaissance Italian church. Sadly they do not allow pictures to be taken inside so I am not able to share that with you.

Scenes of the town of Assisi

Study of pigeons on fountain

More of the town

Study of granddaughter as the avatar of "I'm bored"

Reflection addict unrepentant

Still more town

Scenes from the Basilica

Allegory of the Saint

And more from the Basilica

The photography disease is contagious

And back to our rental in time for still more golden light shots