After breakfast, we set out on the Rick Steves walking tour of Assisi, with stunning views and an enlightening history of Saint Francis, Saint Claire, and the early Catholic Church. We loved Assisi: the views of Umbria, complete with olive groves and vineyards; the charming cobblestone streets, steep hills, and winding walkways; and the charming people, from shop-keepers and waiters to people on the street.
We visited several beautiful churches in this small hill town: San Rufino, Santa Chiara, the Temple of Minerva, the tiny church of Santo Stefano, and the magnificent Basilica of Saint Francis.
Church of San Rufino - baptism site of Saint Francis, Saint Claire, and today's babies of Assisi. Viewable through the floors are Roman ruins.
Bryant outside the Basilica di Santa Chiara:
Basilica di San Francesco
Tracey oustide Basilica di San Francesco
Bryant at Piazza del Comune
For lunch, we ate our first pizza. It was delicious - the dough was so fresh, somewhat salty with flavorful olive oil.
After lunch we shopped for some specialty foods at La Bottega del Sapori, and even met the famous Fabrizio we had read about in our guide book. He gave us samples of his olive oils and truffle creams, and we bought some selections as well as some wine.
We left Assisi in the early afternoon, and drove to Siena.
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