Italy 2024

My first trip to Italy! A music festival in Assisi plus sightseeing and (of course) lots of walking. Read more

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Trip start
June 27, 2024
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Day 1
Thursday, June 27, 2024 at 2:27 PM
☀️ 91 °F
Altitude: 1,309 ft
United States Township of Taylor 35.379397, -97.56928835°22’46” N 97°34’9” W
Successo! (24 hours later)
June 27, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 91 °F
A very, very long day of travel but I am ensconced in my little apartment in Siena. I had forgotten that 2nd floor means 3rd floor in Europe. This year’s luggage is much heavier than last year’s!

Aside from a train reroute/delay, the travel went smoothly. I was VERY grateful to have a window seat on the plane, and also thankful that the screaming baby on the OKC-DFW flight wasn’t on the flight to Rome.

I hope to get a good night’s sleep so I can have some adventures tomorrow. Undecided what that will be - it’s supposed to be hot here tomorrow so I may not walk as much as I’d hoped.

1. DFW
2. Fingers crossed I stay healthy.
3. The Alps!
4. The view from one of my windows this evening from the 2nd/3rd floor.

Tomorrow’s photos should be better!Read more
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Day 3
Saturday, June 29, 2024 at 6:15 PM
☁️ 88 °F
Altitude: 1,066 ft
Italy Piazza Jacopo of Quercia 43.315705, 11.32809243°18’57” N 11°19’41” E
Siena, Day 1
June 29, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 88 °F
I woke up early and went for a walk to get my bearings. After some rest, reading, and practice, I walked back to the old city center to get dinner. It’s a bit over a mile to get there - I could take a bus but it feels good to move, and I figured (correctly) that dinner would be rich. I feel like I’m starting to acclimate and get into the groove as of this evening.

Hey, neato. I can caption each photo separately. This would have been handy last year! Limited length, but I can practice pithiness.Read more
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Day 4
Sunday, June 30, 2024 at 10:25 AM
⛅ 77 °F
Altitude: 1,125 ft
Italy Loggia della Mercanzia 43.319099, 11.33124743°19’9” N 11°19’52” E
Siena, Day 2
June 30, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F
Another hot day with lots of walking (about 13 miles!) It was a similar agenda to yesterday, with rest and practice between two trips “into town,” the second including a visit to the Siena Duomo (Cathedral) that I’ll share in a separate post.

I don’t have any pictures of the Siena Palio, a semiannual (June/July and August) horse race, which is taking place right now. This historic race sees 10 of the contrade I mentioned yesterday competing with horses in very short (2-minute) races around one of the piazzas.

I can’t think of anything similar in the US, although I admittedly don’t follow sports! The community spirit is palpable, with people (especially children) wearing scarves of their contrada’s flags, singing songs, and at the end of the evening, eating together with their groups at long tables set up in the streets. There doesn’t seem to be any commercialism; I can only imagine that this would be something like the “Home Depot Palio” in the US, with each contrada seeking endorsements and sponsors.

Anyway, I didn’t join the crowds to watch, but I’ve enjoyed witnessing the party atmosphere. Tomorrow I’m on the train to Assisi!Read more
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Day 4
Sunday, June 30, 2024 at 3:09 PM
☀️ 84 °F
Altitude: 1,132 ft
Italy Archeologico Nazionale di Siena 43.31733, 11.3286743°19’2” N 11°19’43” E
1
Siena Duomo
June 30, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F
I recommend a “skip-the-line” ticket for sights like this; I was spared 20? minutes standing in the hot sun by one today.
Traveler The stripes bother me. Ruins the aesthetic. :)
7/5/24Reply
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Day 5
Monday, July 1, 2024 at 5:38 PM
☁️ 81 °F
Altitude: 1,398 ft
Italy Temple of Minerva 43.071158, 12.61493843°4’16” N 12°36’54” E
1 1 1
To Assisi!
July 1, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 81 °F
I had a long day of bus and train travel to get to Assisi yesterday. It started a little stressfully - I walked down the street to the bus stop, waited for a little while, and then watched my #3 bus drive right on by. I still don’t know if I was in the wrong place or if I should’ve waved him down. I checked my apps, walked to a different bus stop nearby, and finally had success catching a #54 bus. This bus, it transpired, was rerouted around the city center due to the Palio (at least this is my guess), but it eventually rejoined its regular route. I had to transfer to a different bus, which then took me to the train station. All was well after this, although it was two long rides. I must admit that the scariest thing I’ve done traveling in Europe is to brave public transportation not speaking the language! Probably overly proud of making it today…

I made it to Assisi just in time for the “board meeting” in the piazza with fellow musicians and Negronis. Dinner and much-needed rest followed.

Today was a little walking and exploring plus practice and my first two rehearsals. I’m excited to get to be here for two weeks for more of all of that.Read more
Traveler Wow!
7/2/24Reply
awesome [barbee]
7/2/24Reply
Traveler I didn't know Val was joining. Awesome!!
7/5/24Reply
Traveler This one is a wall hanger.
7/5/24Reply
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Day 7
Wednesday, July 3, 2024 at 6:09 AM
☁️ 59 °F
Altitude: 1,453 ft
Italy Temple of Minerva 43.071053, 12.6167543°4’16” N 12°37’0” E
Assisi wanderings
July 3, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F
I was awake anyway so I got up with the sun and walked up (and up!) to the hilltop above to Rocca Maggiore, the 14th century fortress watching over Assisi and the valley below. Stunning views, as you’ll see.

I had rehearsals off and on all day, ranging from the Beethoven wind quintet to a quartet by an Italian composer who is here at the festival. It’s a joy to combine playing with exploration of new places!Read more
TravelerI've said it before, my favorite place in Italy!! I'm loving re-visiting it vicariously through your pictures 😍
7/4/24Reply
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Day 8
Thursday, July 4, 2024 at 11:33 AM
☀️ 72 °F
Altitude: 1,378 ft
Italy Temple of Minerva 43.071747, 12.61372243°4’18” N 12°36’49” E
1
Busy day
July 4, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F
Several rehearsals, a piano recital to attend, and my first performance in Assisi made this a busy one. I’m enjoying playing here; the wide range of repertoire is particularly fun.

The performance was a concert of works by Armando Ghidoni, an Italian composer who is here at the festival. I played on a quartet (flute, clarinet, bassoon, and horn) called Swinging Counterpoint, which I ended up enjoying quite a bit, once I’d thoroughly practiced the tricky parts! The composer has been most complimentary of my playing, which is also gratifying.

Both this concert and the piano recital (full of pieces by women composers) took place in the Chiesa di San Paolo.

Excellent food today - lunch was a pizza with speck and Gorgonzola plus a green salad with maybe the best tomatoes I’ve ever had. No pictures of that, sadly.Read more
Traveler Oh man... carbolicious!
7/5/24Reply
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Day 9
Friday, July 5, 2024 at 5:29 AM
🌙 59 °F
Altitude: 1,368 ft
Italy Temple of Minerva 43.070583, 12.6153843°4’14” N 12°36’55” E
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Hermitage hike
July 5, 2024 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 59 °F
This was a six-mile out-and-back hike, very little of which was flat. Needless to say, I was very slow. I was grateful for the light schedule (no rehearsals for me today) and the cooler weather that made this possible.Read more
Traveler Wow!
7/8/24Reply
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Day 9
Friday, July 5, 2024 at 11:15 AM
☀️ 73 °F
Altitude: 2,664 ft
Italy Renaiola 43.063239, 12.64977543°3’48” N 12°38’59” E
Eremo delle Carceri
July 5, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F
I hiked up (UP - more on that in another post) to the mountainside hermitage where St. Francis went to pray and preach to the birds. It’s since been expanded to several buildings and various other monks have lived and prayed there. It’s surrounded by a really beautiful forest and is one of those special places where you can just feel yourself become a calmer and better version of yourself. A new favorite hike destination!Read more
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Day 9
Friday, July 5, 2024 at 2:15 PM
☀️ 82 °F
Altitude: 1,381 ft
Italy Temple of Minerva 43.071167, 12.61485343°4’16” N 12°36’53” E
1
Random Assisi sights
July 5, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F
I haven’t been feeling well (a little cold, maybe? Allergies?) so I’ve been lying low for the last day or so. Still walking around a little bit and seeing stuff, though.
Traveler Gorgeous shot!
7/8/24Reply
spectacular [barbee stueve]
7/8/24Reply
Feel better soon Katie! I’ve been savoring every trip highlight you share with us! [Wendy]
7/9/24Reply
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Day 11
Sunday, July 7, 2024 at 1:24 PM
⛅ 82 °F
Altitude: 1,348 ft
Italy Valecchie 43.072461, 12.61084743°4’21” N 12°36’39” E
Assisi, que e là
July 7, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
Here and there in Assisi
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Day 13
Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at 6:31 AM
☀️ 68 °F
Altitude: 1,309 ft
Italy Temple of Minerva 43.071339, 12.61263743°4’17” N 12°36’45” E
A walk into the valley
July 9, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F
We had a day with no rehearsals, but the temperature has risen this week, so I got up early to take a long walk down into the valley below Assisi. This meant that I had to walk back UP to Assisi, but it was worth it!Read more
IT IS AMAZING WHAT YOU ARE DOING [DAD]
7/12/24Reply
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Day 15
Thursday, July 11, 2024 at 8:21 AM
☀️ 73 °F
Altitude: 1,371 ft
Italy Temple of Minerva 43.07048, 12.61550543°4’14” N 12°36’56” E
Assisi moments
July 11, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F
Keeping busy but time for some random pics…
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Day 16
Friday, July 12, 2024 at 6:33 AM
☀️ 68 °F
Altitude: 1,237 ft
Italy Sacro convento di S. Francesco (Assisi, Italy)43.074692, 12.6064843°4’29” N 12°36’23” E
Friday morning walk
July 12, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F
I was awake early and got up to wander around. The town just doesn’t open until later in the morning so it was very peaceful. Also cool, which feels lovely right now! I am proud to say that these hills aren’t kicking my butt nearly as much as when I first got here.Read more
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Day 16
Friday, July 12, 2024 at 7:15 AM
☀️ 70 °F
Altitude: 1,365 ft
Italy Assisi 43.069017, 12.61663843°4’8” N 12°36’60” E
More Friday sights
July 12, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F
After morning rehearsals, an amazing lunch on a restaurant terrace and then a brief walk down into the Bosco di San Francesco (woods of St. Francis). Unfortunately this trail isn’t open until 10am, so it was HOT. My lunch/walking companion had to leave for a rehearsal, so we’ll go back (and I’ll take water!) for a more thorough exploration. In the meantime, here are some pics plus more Assisi sights.Read more
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Day 17
Saturday, July 13, 2024 at 6:08 AM
☀️ 66 °F
Altitude: 1,473 ft
Italy Temple of Minerva 43.071564, 12.61625343°4’18” N 12°36’59” E
Early bird gets the light
July 13, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F
Another early morning walk. I’m finding favorite routes. Today I walked up near Rocca Maggiore again but then took a road out of town into the woods and mountains. So pretty! May have to do something similar tomorrow. It’s hilly but not as steep or rocky as walking to the Hermitage.Read more
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Day 17
Saturday, July 13, 2024 at 7:21 AM
☀️ 72 °F
Altitude: 1,483 ft
Italy Temple of Minerva 43.070617, 12.61748743°4’14” N 12°37’3” E
1 1 1 1
Saturday, part 2
July 13, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F
I’m having a hard time keeping up with what day it is. Busy here but fun!
looks delicious [barbee]
7/14/24Reply
i don’t know how you played without looking at that gorgeous ceiling all the time!! [barbee]
7/14/24Reply
love all the door knockers you’ve been sending pics of! wonder how old they are? [barbee]
7/14/24Reply
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Day 18
Sunday, July 14, 2024 at 8:08 AM
☁️ 72 °F
Altitude: 1,335 ft
Italy Temple of Minerva 43.06992, 12.61574543°4’12” N 12°36’57” E
Sunday morning walk
July 14, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F
Even two weeks into my stay in Assisi, it’s a joy to get up early in the morning and find new streets to explore.
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Day 19
Monday, July 15, 2024 at 9:56 AM
☀️ 82 °F
Altitude: 1,388 ft
Italy Temple of Minerva 43.071636, 12.61391343°4’18” N 12°36’50” E
Final day of Assisi
July 15, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F
One last day of walks, delicious meals, rehearsals, and a final concert. This festival has been so special - lovely people, great music, historic venues. I hope to be back next year!
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SUCCESS [DAD]
7/17/24Reply
wish we had audio of your concerts! [barbee]
7/17/24Reply
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Day 20
Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at 3:57 PM
☀️ 93 °F
Altitude: 157 ft
Italy Basilica of Santa Maria Novella 43.7755, 11.24833343°46’32” N 11°14’54” E
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Arriving in Florence
July 16, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 93 °F
I took a bus to the Assisi train station and then the train to Assisi to meet my dear friend Angela for six days of some sightseeing and hiking. We walked around to get oriented and had some great food (and drinks!). It’s so hot here but we’re already having a great time.Read more
just love love the architecture!!! [barbee]
7/17/24Reply
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Day 21
Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at 7:36 AM
☀️ 70 °F
Altitude: 1,079 ft
Italy Sant'Agostino 43.539558, 10.9553843°32’22” N 10°57’19” E
1 1
Via Francigena: Gambassi - San Gimignano
July 17, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F
The Via Francigena is a pilgrimage from Canterbury to Rome. Since we walked the Camino de Santiago last year, Angela and I were excited to walk a little bit of this path. So beautiful! It was an 8.5 mile walk through vineyards and olive groves. Another very hot day, so very tiring, but worth it.

We had to take two trains and a bus to get to Gambassi, and then a bus and two trains from San Gimignano back to Florence. This was a little tricky and I was very proud that we made it!Read more
❤️ [barbee]
7/20/24Reply
beautiful [barbee]
7/20/24Reply
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Day 22
Thursday, July 18, 2024 at 9:21 AM
☀️ 79 °F
Altitude: 190 ft
Italy Museo Casa di Dante 43.770972, 11.2577743°46’15” N 11°15’28” E
1 1
Uffizi and other Florence sights
July 18, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F
We spent three hours walking through the Uffizi Gallery. Could’ve been there longer - it’s a staggering amount of art! We also went to the outdoor market where so much beautiful leather is sold and ate some great meals. It was a good day.Read more
could you bring this fella home as a souvenir? i love him! so cool! [barbee]
7/20/24Reply
nice! [barbee]
7/20/24Reply
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Day 23
Friday, July 19, 2024 at 10:49 AM
☀️ 84 °F
Altitude: 167 ft
Italy Manarola 44.106564, 9.72839244°6’24” N 9°43’42” E
1 1
Cinque Terre
July 19, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F
This was a long, hot, exhausting, and totally amazing day trip. We joined a group tour for this, which started with a two-hour bus ride west to La Spezia. Two short train rides took us to the second and third of the “Five Villages” along the coast. Then we hiked to the fourth, which was quite a steep up-and-down walk along a cliff overlooking the sea. One more train ride took us to the fifth village, and then a lovely boat ride saw us back to the first village. Beautiful views every step of the way!Read more
Traveler This looks like an ankle buster to me. :)
7/23/24Reply
Traveler Corniglia!! We overnighted here in Dec. Can't imagine doing it in the heat of summer!
7/25/24Reply
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Day 24
Saturday, July 20, 2024 at 4:05 PM
☀️ 91 °F
Altitude: 230 ft
Italy Riccardi Medici Palace Museum 43.775105, 11.2555543°46’30” N 11°15’20” E
Riccardi Medici Palace
July 20, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 91 °F
After the trip to Pratolino, which included an unplanned trip on a tram car, we went to one of the Medici palaces here in Florence, now a museum.
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Day 25
Sunday, July 21, 2024 at 1:09 PM
☀️ 91 °F
Altitude: 233 ft
Italy Palazzo Vecchio 43.769295, 11.25603843°46’9” N 11°15’22” E
Palazzo Vecchio
July 21, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 91 °F
Another amazing Medici palace that’s now a museum. We didn’t understand that we needed to buy an extra ticket to climb the tower, so that will wait for another day. The museum below was definitely worth it! One of the many places we went almost by accident that turned out to be highlights.Read more
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