This Sunday, we visited the Todi, a small medieval town in the Umbria region. Todi was magnificent. It is located next to Orvieto, which as I understand is a popular spot to visit in terms of medieval towns in Umbria. We arrived around 11am and began a small climb up the side of the town (which sits on top of a beautiful hill overlooking the surrounding area). When we got to the top, we could see the entire town sitting on the hillside. There was a morning fog that was just beginning to dissipate which made the view even more stimulating. The town was constructed the way many medieval towns are, winding roads, short alleyways that circulate a main piazza. We only had to walk about 30 ft. before we saw the most adorable restaurant appropriately named “Vino è Pane” (“wine and bread” pictured above). The streets were all cobblestone and the brick buildings looked so worn, yet so sturdy and sure of themselves. When we got to the main piazza we began to see a few people out and about, but they were mostly older men and families returning from church. We went inside a few of the churches where the frescos were beginning to peel away (which to an art fanatic like myself was totally mesmerizing). I wandered around for the better part of the next two hours before we left for Titignano, but that was my favorite part: just meandering down little side streets and hearing nothing but the fluttering and cooing of pigeons, and quiet smile of the few old men (dressed in their Sunday coats) that passed by.
Side note: I saw a little boy running back from church ahead of his family who was wearing (get this): Cuffed corduroys, baby timberlands, a button up underneath the world’s nicest looking pea coat; fully equipped with a matching scarf and cool haircut that was slicked back. He looked like something out of a Versace ad. Not to mention he had the biggest brightest almond eyes and strong brows that will certainly woo the ladies someday. (Seriously though, Italian kids put Americans to shame in terms of cuteness and style).
We then headed to Titignano. Titignano is a medieval castle that was turned into a hotel/catering venue of sorts. There we ate an eight-course meal, which was equal parts delicious and gross because the food was so unfamiliar (meat is fatty here) and everything tastes like it just came off the animal. But the wine that is actually made on site at the vineyard was strong as hell and absolutely amazing (and I normally don’t enjoy white wine). We then bought a box of it for $8 so life is amazing. Overall, it was a really nice way to end orientation week.
da Roma,
-Kat
Side note: I saw a little boy running back from church ahead of his family who was wearing (get this): Cuffed corduroys, baby timberlands, a button up underneath the world’s nicest looking pea coat; fully equipped with a matching scarf and cool haircut that was slicked back. He looked like something out of a Versace ad. Not to mention he had the biggest brightest almond eyes and strong brows that will certainly woo the ladies someday. (Seriously though, Italian kids put Americans to shame in terms of cuteness and style).
We then headed to Titignano. Titignano is a medieval castle that was turned into a hotel/catering venue of sorts. There we ate an eight-course meal, which was equal parts delicious and gross because the food was so unfamiliar (meat is fatty here) and everything tastes like it just came off the animal. But the wine that is actually made on site at the vineyard was strong as hell and absolutely amazing (and I normally don’t enjoy white wine). We then bought a box of it for $8 so life is amazing. Overall, it was a really nice way to end orientation week.
da Roma,
-Kat