Winter in Italy 2022 & 23

We made it! We're now in Italy for the next four weeks or thereabouts. 

Firstly, let's cover what has happened since our last blog.  Katie changed schools, we lost our Beagles, Covid shut the world down, we all stayed home, we travelled inside bubbles, and we watched more Netflix. We got a new puppy and started planning a trip to Japan. We cancelled the trip to Japan (the lockdown lasted longer there), we booked tickets to Italy, and Katie had a whoopie 40th birthday. We caught a plane or two and ended up in Italy.

Okay, now you are you up to date!

After flying from Melbourne to Rome, with a very quick stop in Dubai, we stayed at the airport hotel and then collected Pietro Nero, our new Fiat Panda.  The route today took us through three towns 

Monte Romano, Viterbo and Civita di Bagnoregio.

Monte Romano was an unplanned stop. As I drove into the town, I noticed a small market. So Pietro Nero performed a U-turn, and I found a park.  The market was quite typical, clothing, fruit and veg, nuts, legumes etc. One standout was the van that opened up and was a perfumery, selling anything you could imagine, perfume, cleaning products, and laundry items. 

We didn't make a purchase at the market, but both felt familiarity and comfort. Hard to explain, but it would be compared to Queenscliff for Melanie and Wayne.

Next was time to test ourselves, and we crossed the road and went to a bar (A bar in Italy, a place that sells tobacco, lotto, coffee, cakes, alcohol, and lollies). Feeling a little anxious, I walked to the bar and, in my best Italian, was able to order two espresso coffees and two small pastries. The owner could tell I was trying to speak Italian and was impressed. At this point, we were reminded how enjoyable a 1.20 euro espresso coffee can be. 

Next was in the car and off to Viterbo, close to Rome but away from suburbia and the crowds. It had a Christmas theme, with places for the children to partake.  Walking the streets, we got a reminder of the history in these lands, seeing details of the Etruscans and modern life. Lunch was amazing at a restaurant in the main piazza.  

Katie and I took our time over this long lunch. In the low winter sun, it was delightful outside, watching the locals and the children play.

The next and final stop was to look at the town of Civita di Bagnoregio. I have wanted to see this place ever since I started researching Italy. It sadly falls into the valley below but is still amazing to see from the other side. 

Our final and most awaited stop was La Maesta, the place that has become a home away from home.