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I’ve done a lot of weekends in Umbria, and I’ve enjoyed them if only because of the nature trails you can take to get there.
I like to go south via theE45, through the Casentino forests and toning from the Valmarecchia or via the Marche Apennines. These are spectacular roads by car.
Why so many weekends in Umbria
I also returned several times to meet what I can consider my first and most frequent reader. Especially when I had only her, and when I wrote my first novels.
When I first passed through the beautiful plain of Castelluccio di Norcia, however, seeing the many ruins caused by the earthquake that struck that area gave me a pang in my heart.
Dense fog in the apartment
For a special evening of which I cannot reveal the reason, with a ‘friend we met directly in a rustic apartment in the Perugian countryside. We brought dinner from home, lots of wine, and had the fireplace lit.
In order to create more atmosphere he had also wanted to light some candles. The fireplace was not pulling well and the wood was not adequate. So much so that when I woke up in the middle of the night, I would need fog lights to reach the bathroom. Thinking about it maybe we even risked intoxication; we had to open everything wide for air exchange and we froze being the middle of winter.
Almost naked on the public street
On another weekend in Umbria, with the same friend from the fog, we didn’t sleep together the first time (you don’t always immediately bingo!). I stayed in an apartment in Città di Castello, right in the center of town.
The facility was well kept but ancient, the doors were the kind that from the outside could be opened only with a key, and the bathroom was shared. In the morning, caught up in my plans I walked out of the room in my bathrobe to take a shower, lacking a key and of course my cell phone. At the exact moment I heard the sdeng of the door behind me I realized that I was in one of those situations where a lot of people I know would start screaming or at least despairing.
There was no reception and I didn’t know where the owner lived. I tried to go out into the street. But I soon found that the few passersby could hardly help me. And in winter anyway, someone in slippers and bathrobe on the street does not inspire much confidence.
Upon re-entering, I could think of nothing else but trying to open as many doors as I could find. Of course, only the last one opened and I found myself behind the counter of a bar. The young bartender looked at me in amazement and a little frightened.
I explained this and asked if they knew and could contact the gentleman who rented rooms behind their bar. Once again I was lucky. Never more than on that occasion did I bless my habit of bringing my bathrobe from home even if I am away for a night. Everyone has their favorite comforts.
On a weekend in Umbria, as well as Tuscany, the mangy mountains.
To the same quarters I returned when I also met with another girl from around there. I was very careful in taking a shower and had breakfast in the café laughing to myself.
On that occasion I took the opportunity to go trekking in the nearby Monti rognosi nature reserve in the province of Arezzo. Such a beautiful name for me, it originates from the rugged appearance and the many colorful rocks. Throughout the Tiberina Valley, part in Tuscany and part in Umbria, there are beautiful treks.
Home set of travel On the road into central Italy, marriage proposal (Italy and Vatican)
Previous stop Hunted from restaurant in Abruzzo
Next stop alternative New Year’s travel: ditching the spouse
Trips taken, travel stories divided by continent
Countries visited in my travel stories
Anecdotes, divided by type in travel narratives
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