Finally - friends and family actually came to see us!
In May, my sister Lynn and a friend of ours, Mary Welter, made the trip on a direct flight from Dulles to Rome, arriving just in time for the White Night of San Severino. Jet-lagged as they were, we dragged them through the town, streets clogged with roving Brazilian dancers and numerous bands. (The White Night is an evening throughout Europe when museums and shops are open very late, and free tours are provided to many historical attractions. It was created to draw attention to the wealth of cultural sights and help promote tourism.) By 11:00 pm Italian time, they had been awake for approximately two straight days so were able to sleep through the concert taking place 50 yards away.
The week yielded lovely weather for sight-seeing, and we were busy. Sunday we visited the castle at Caldarola (check it out: castellopallotta.it) - Fabulous, inhabited by the original owners until the 1950's. Then we toured churches in nearby Tolentino, visited Sirolo, a gorgeous town on the coast where we lunched on fabulous seafood, and stopped in at the Pierandrei's beach apartment.
We spent some time in the country and in town - Everyone bought art at Adriano Croscenzi's shop; he's an amazingly talented artist who creates paintings, sculptures, vases and jewelry here in San Severino. We did a little outlet shopping (Tod's, anyone?) and then spent two days in Rome before our guests flew back to the U.S. After walking tours Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, we had seen all the key points: the Forum, Colisseum, everything in between, and miles of the Vatican Museums. My neck has finally recovered from the time spent gazing at the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel - Our guide gave us a crash course in the evolution of Michelangelo's technique, and I could have stayed all day studying his amazing work.
They left too soon - After only a week! - But I think they would agree it was a lovely visit. Every little town here offers so many wonderful sights - churches, museums, stunning architecture and beautiful countryside. I am preparing to become San Severino's English-speaking tour guide later this year, so should be better versed in all the points of interest soon.
So come see us! There is plenty of space and it's a great spot to use as a base for day trips. Next topic - the Palio....
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Sounds wonderful - we'd love to visit this summer but just came back from Provence and will be going to Germany (Stuttgart area to trace my father's family origins). We just had our church Summer Festival (music, roast lamb, pastries - I was responable, flower market, juggling, pony rides, jumpy castle, prize drawings - Louis was responable, Egyptian artifacts, etc.) Today was the last day for my children's English classes so games and a picnic - NOW to bed.
RispondiEliminaLove to all,
Virginia and Louis