Trip to Italy Day 18 & 19 - Our Last Day In Castellina And Heading To Orvieto

Day 18 was packing day for us and while I was pretty much well, Bev was still feeling a little rough – the silver lining was that we watched the complete Taylor Sheridan series “Landman” starring Billy Bob Thorton and much of “Tulsa King” starring Sylvester Stallone - so, we flew a few thousand miles and spent more than a few thousand dollars to watch shows we were unlikely to watch at home – duh.

Bev took a few pics around the farmhouse before we left.

Except for the vineyards, this shot could has easily been made in East Tennessee of the Smokies.

You know those Mediterranean herbs that we grow at home (but they normally die in winter), this is what a rosemary looks like here at the farmhouse.

On Day 19, we reluctantly said goodbye to the farmhouse with a plan to eat lunch in Castellina since we couldn’t check into the apartment in Orvieto until 3pm and it’s only a two hour drive.  We opted to return to Il Cantuccio and had an early lunch (we ate no breakfast) beginning with a glass of prosecco.

Then it was the same appetizer we’ve had twice before – Cantuccio Crostone (Truffle Sauce, Tuscan Sausage, Pecorino Cheese).

Then Bev had Homemade Pappardelle with Tuscan Ragu.

And I had the Pacchero, Porcini Mushrooms, Tuscan Sausage

Owner, Francesco, showed up as we were about to leave and we took a selfie.

It was all delicious and a fine last meal in Castellina, which is the kind of small town I would choose to live in Italy.

After the meal we had a nice uneventful drive to Orvieto and I borrowed this shot from the web of how the town looks as it is approached from the interstate

These next two show why it was very defendable.

Upon arrival we had a little trouble finding the apt. building but it was resolved in a few minutes on the phone.  We had reserved parking which I assumed was near the apartment but it turned out to be a parking garage below the walled city with two elevators and a pretty long uphill walk back to the apartment.  After my cold, my lungs did not like the walk at all and I had to stop for several rest/cough breaks.  This is lobby and eating area of the apartment building and I’m amazed that they can turn these ancient buildings into such modern places inside.

After the walk up the hill, the two flights of stairs to the apartment about did me in but I made it.  

After doing well with my tour and accommodations reservations, our apartment at Casa Vèra Affittacamere Appartamenti was disappointing primarily because there was no sitting area so only a bedroom, very small bathroom and kitchen and a veranda which was the only place to get wi-fi in a very uncomfortable chair.

This first night, we just had a glass of wine and some meat and cheese we'd brought with us and went to bed early - it was either that or watch MacGyver on TV in Italian :-)

Photos can be slightly enlarged by clicking on them and the blue words are links.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by Almost Heaven South.

Larry

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