Sorrento - Assisi

Day 8 - Monday, June 18 - Sorrento - Assisi. 

After breakfast, we leave Sorrento.  This afternoon, we are in peaceful Assisi.  We will enjoy a visit to the massive 13th century Basilica of St. Francis to view the frescoes of Giotto.  Also we visit the Chapel of St. Clare and the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels.  Dinner at the hotel.  Overnight Assisi.

Today we left for another long bus trip as we traveled north and east to Cosenza. There were several times when I glanced out the bus window to see a step drop off in the mountains. I'm glad Gino takes such care with his driving. Assisi was fantastic. It was a beautiful town built on the hillside. We met our local tour guide Maurice at the entrance of old Assisi. We visited the Basilica of St. Mary, the Church of St. Clare, and the Basilica of St. Francis. It was such an exhilarating experience walking the narrow streets of the city. It really took you back in time until the cars we were sharing the street with snapped us back to reality. There was a big celebration with the Pope the day before we arrived so there was a lot of activity. There were preparing for another celebration but I was not able to find out what it was. It was very hot today, 95 degrees, but it was lovely in the shade. Our bus met us and took us to our hotel overlooking the olive groves and the valley of Assisi. Many of us took time to relax on the veranda and enjoy the view with a refreshing drink. After dinner, I found that the good spirits of Assisi must have been pleased with our visit as the Internet access was trouble free for the first time and I uploaded pictures and pages with ease. It gave me extra time to spend on the veranda with new found friends.