Surprisingly we got up and out very early. Only a few days left of the trip, I guess we both wanted to actually see something. Also I was excited about going north -- maybe to cooler weather - wishful thinking.
The breakfast at the cave hotel was different than the other hotels we have stayed at -- creme filled croissants and fruits. Will be disappointed to go, I loved this room (A/C could have been better).
Savage helped me out and carried my suitcase up and through the 9000 year old stairs, what a gentleman? I went and got the car out of the parking garage and it was a miracle that I found the square where he was waiting on me. And I found it on the first try.
We were looking at a 2 and a half hour drive just to Naples, then at least another 3 + hours. I didn’t think Savage could handle this trip. I guess I should have drugged him (he would never last in the US on a road trip -- my family has driven straight through to Denver --- 18 + hours, I am a road pro). We were going to stop in Tivoli, but we couldn’t find a room online -- next trip. Found a room in Orvieto instead (just a little further north) -- Ripa Medici. She gave us weird directions, should be interesting to see how we would get there.
It was raining so hard. Yes, I was requested to stop by my passenger -- we stopped again on the highway -- along with everyone else. It’s raining -- SOP stop and wait it out. What’s up with that? Then he opened his window and I got wet, go figure? We got gas and took a break along the way at a convenience store -- Autogrill. There were some strange Italian Army policemen in front of me in line. Savage was “getting the shits” and I let him drive and kept my mouth shut.
When we got to Orvieto -- we had to get off the tollway and when we did Savage showed that he had been away from his area too long -- told the toll taker “Good day mate”. I couldn’t stop giggling. He was very peeved from the drive and I knew he was getting tired of traveling period (and probably me and my Southern Belle high maintenance ways). But the "Good day mate" was so funny, good on ya Savage.
We drove into Orvieto and only got turned around once at the grocery store. But we finally found the way up the mountain. We wound our way through a wicked Roman medieval gate and into the extremely narrow streets of the town. We stopped in the GPS the correct street we needed to be on. I was shocked they let us drive through these streets anyway. I left him in the car and found Sabrina our sweet hostess. She came back to the car and we got our bags out and Savage helped me with mine.
the town square (where there was some parking)
lovely
This little B&B was great --- wonderful views and had two guest rooms, two bathrooms, a little sitting room, breakfast area and small kitchen. It was in an apartment building located right on the walls. (Our room had a penguin A/C unit in it.) Orvieto is a hillside walled town in Umbria -- unbelievably beautiful scenery -- would love to come back to this region and explore more.
the view from our sitting room :)
Because he helped me with my luggage, I went back to the car and drove with Sabrina down to the parking garage. She showed me the way back to our room -- had to go up 2 elevators to get to the top. By the time I made it back, he was already asleep --- daily nap. Wanted to leave him alone so he could recover from the road trip north. I would rather him be in a good mood.
I sat out in the pleasant sitting room and caught up on my journal and reading. I have gotten used to this type of traveling. I hoped we could get out around sunset in order to find a good place to see it. Sunrise and sunset are my favorite times of the day. Savage is always game for finding picturesque locations. -- these sites were right beside our B&B.
When we left our room we went by an artist's studio -- he was out in little clothing working:
We wandered around the cobblestone streets and finally found a spot to see the sunset -- not great lighting. There was a little park with screaming kids. Needless to say, we didn’t last long there.
Sabrina had told us about a good restaurant, but we couldn’t find it. We did find the magnificent cathedral -- I want to see that place.
I stopped and asked directions. I had given up asking in Italian -- and of course we ran into a nice man who was from San Jose. Love to run into Americans who live over here now. He was retired and had a little shop. His bulldog, Francois, was very friendly. He was odd in that he kept staring at my shoes, had he never seen black and white polkadot flip flops with a savage tan line??
this is a moped -- I learned well.
We found a restaurant -- da Carlo. I had a bad feeling about it but we stayed anyway. Had tasty bruschetta, raw roast beef (ugh gross), cheese ravioli in pesto sauce (very good). The service was the problem -- they were very strange.
I stopped and got some gelato on the way back to the room. Had wifi in this room too (had been lucky with that most places -- not in the cave - but they had an “internet room”). Love those penguins -- kept us cool most of the night -- until sound averse roommate turned it off.
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