Tuscany, part 2

Orvieto

Greg and I were really interested in the girls experiencing an Italian train ride. I'm not sure it really felt much different from the metro to them (except for the scenery, of course), but the trip to Orvieto was an easy 40 minutes. Keith, one of our landlords, had recommended it, because of the funicular and the Etruscan caves.

Ashley and Jordan at Cortona train station

Jordan and Ashley in the caves

Alison on funicular

Orvieto cathedral

Arezzo

We had intended to go to Arezzo in the morning, but reversed our plans when we had close encounter (or almost) with a small Italian car driving too quickly on the road leading to the house. It looked like they were going to hit us so John swerved to the right and into the ditch that was well-camoflouged with weeds and grass.  No one was hurt, there was nary a scratch on the car, so we decided it would be a good story to tell. . . sometime :) John took much undeserved ribbing at his expense in the next couple of days and we all noted that none of us were willing to drive the hill town roads!

Everyone's nerves after several hours at the pool and we did set off for lovely Arezzo in the afternoon. We got pictures of our boy Guido (musicians will understand. . .)

Guido of Monaco (aka Guido d'Arezzo) 

We had fun looking through the shops and watching some interesting street art, with a backdrop of a very threatening sky. 

We did find a really wonderful Tuscan restaurant. Highlights included rabbit (me), wild boar (Greg) and Jordan's pizza (arugula, shaved Parmesan, prosciutto, tomatoes), gnocchi (someone). They also served wonderful wine in half bottles and I had a conversation (in Italian!) with the proprietor about how rare it is to find those in the states. He said it was rare in Italy also.

Julia

Alison

Il gennaro (son-in-law)

Jordan

Ashley

Greg

Perugia 

The next day was a no-church, no museum day in Perugia. Greg and I had been to the museum several years ago and would have enjoyed going again but it is huge and there wasn't really enough time. We did enjoy just meandering

Greg, enjoying some Bach

and the girls got some chocolate.

Julia and the wonders of an Italian bakery