Reset search
Italy 2024
  • Kate Pritchett
  • Kate Pritchett

Italy 2024

My first trip to Italy! A music festival in Assisi plus sightseeing and (of course) lots of walking. Read more
FollowInsightsInsightsCalendarCalendarPhotosPhotosShareShareBucket list
Newest first
  • Trip start
    June 27, 2024
    Kate PritchettItaly 2024Traveler

    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

  • Kate PritchettItaly 2024Traveler
    Siena is on a hilltop, so the views are really lovely, if hazy.
    Each city ward (contrada) has its own symbol, portrayed on flags and lamps. This is Onda, the wave.One of the many gates around the cityCin cin! Dinner was lovely - my first real Italian meal.A quiet moment - Palazzo Chigi-Saracini. The flags are the for the contrade.Lots of whimsical touches like this.This hill is very steep! I was glad it was dry.Incipient figs, which will be an excellent band name for later.Can't get enough of these views!

    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

  • Kate PritchettItaly 2024Traveler
    Second breakfast featured a pistachio-cream filled pastry, and OMG. Too rich to finish but so good.
    Detail at the Loggia della MercanziaNo idea. There was also a stone pyramid behind the gate and overgrown weeds.I waited in line, not knowing for what, only to ascend this narrow, 61-step staircase for ...... this view. Totally worth it.This iteration of Mary *knows* some things.Dinner in the same restaurant as last night. Delizioso!Even the weeds are fabulous in Italy.

    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

  • Kate PritchettItaly 2024Traveler
    Harsh light, but you can clearly see all of the embellishments!
    I love the upward views in these cathedrals.The marble floors here are something special. More depictions of women here, too.What up, my dude?1Also unique: stripes!

    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.

  • Kate PritchettItaly 2024Traveler
    The main drag in Assisi. Amazing to think of how old it is.
    1My lovely friend and colleague Val and I at the first "board meeting"So many flowers and so many stairs here!Assisi is on a hilltop; here's the first of no doubt many vista pics.Today's lunch: strangozzi with tomato sauce and almost enough cheese, LOL. Amazing!11This is the view from my hotel room - Chiesa Nuova. ("Nuova" as in 17th century!!)The front of Chiesa Nuova

    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

  • Kate PritchettItaly 2024Traveler
    The Torre del Popolo (L) and a church inside an 11th century Roman temple
    I'm glad I brought my hiking poles!Ceiling fresco in one of the rehearsal spaces, a tourism office.

    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

  • Kate PritchettItaly 2024Traveler
    15th century fresco in the Chiesa di San Paolo
    The quartet at the concert. I'm sweaty here!1Dinner included this fatale with an especially punchy pesto. Good carbs for tomorrow's hike!

    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

  • Kate PritchettItaly 2024Traveler
    I was up with the sunrise again today. Almost worth it for the view!
    One of the more picturesque elements of Assisi is the doorways.... and the gates1This vista was a nice distraction from the difficulty of the hike!Lots of shade in the forest today which was helpful.Most of the route was a trail, but this little stretch followed a road to the parking lot.You can see the hermitage nestled lower down the hill here.The Garmin app always makes the hills looks so impressive, which helps me feel better about my timeLunch: ricotta-stuffed fried squash blossoms and a caprese salad. Yum!

    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

  • Kate PritchettItaly 2024Traveler
    Some spectacular roses there - I think this one is called Golden SplendorThe refectory, where monks took their meals, built around 1400The choir, also 1400Lovely views over the valley here if you get out from the treesFresco in the tiny church - Santa Maria delle CarceriThese doorways are WEE. I had to bend almost in half. This is near the grotto where SF slept.Detail on no doubt ancient tree stump on trailOutdoor chapel. So peaceful.

    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

  • Kate PritchettItaly 2024Traveler
    Ceiling fresco on La Volta PintaRocca Maggiore from below1Santa Chiara (Saint Clare) was a follower of Francis of Assisi. She's everywhere here.Stumbled on this crèche in a back street.I went to the farmers market yesterday and bought apricots, grapes, and these gorgeous figs.

    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.

  • Kate PritchettItaly 2024Traveler
    View of the Basilica di San Francesca d'Assisi
    No idea what this creature is!Lots of olive grovesBaby olives!... and baby grapesSun worshippersLooking back towards Assisi on the hillNot sure why it was so hazy

    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

  • Kate PritchettItaly 2024Traveler
    Basilica di San Francesco, which is crawling with tourists, nuns, and priests later in the day.
    The side entrance to the lower church inside the basilica. I could hear chanting while I was there.Detail on lower church doorThese are everywhere but this painting is more interesting than usual.Chiesa di Santa Maria MaggioreFaces everywhere!Flying buttress at the Basilica di Santa Chiara

    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

  • Kate PritchettItaly 2024Traveler
    Inside the Chiesa Nuova next to my hotelThe lunch view. The wine was a grechetto-Chardonnay blend. Delicious!Val and I shared this antipasto of a broccoli flan with purple potato puree, goat cheese, bacon. !!Ravioloni with tomato, basil, cheese. So good!The trail through the Bosco... and the view from the trail between the trees700 year old wall

    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

  • Kate PritchettItaly 2024Traveler
    Rocca MinoreRocca Maggiore from "behind"

    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

  • Kate PritchettItaly 2024Traveler
    Detail at La Cattedrale di San Rufino
    1Also at San Rufino. Not sure what's happening here, but yikes.Anyone over about 5'4" needs to duck to go through this arch.1Saturday means farmers market! Today's haul: plums and more of the figs. I'm obsessed with figs now.1Ceiling at Padre Evangelista, one of our concert venuesToday's concert was in the Foro Romano. Very cool.The view from my seat. A study in contrasts!1We had a lovely insteumentalists' luncheon on a restaurant terrace. Highlight: strangozzi puttanescaThere was a live concert outside the temple Minerva tonight

    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!

  • Kate PritchettItaly 2024Traveler
    Chiesa di San Paolo, where we had a number of concerts. It dates back to 1079!
    Fresco at San PaoloThis last concert was really fun!Bookend pic of Val and me at the final piazza beverage hour after the concertOne last sunrise walk! I'll miss this view.

    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!

  • Kate PritchettItaly 2024Traveler
    From the train window
    Bike garage in train station in FlorenceOn the Arno RiverCattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore. We need to go back for a more thorough look.We had a drink at a nice bar right on the Arno. These snacks were so good they made us laugh.1Chiesa dei Santi Michele e GaetanoCacio e pepe at random restaurant near our hotel. So good!

    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

  • Kate PritchettItaly 2024Traveler
    These pics just don't do the views justice.
    Lots of wineries along the way. We would've liked to have done some tastings!11That's San Gimignano on the hilltop.Dinner back in Florence was this amazing ravioli and beetroot risotto. Wow!

    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

  • Kate PritchettItaly 2024Traveler
    Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore.
    1Neptune1One of my favorite parts of the Uffizi was the grotesques on the ceiling along the east gallery.Spring by BotticelliHead of Medusa on a shield, painted by CaravaggioWe both had gnocchi for lunch. So tender!We haven't had a lot of desserts but this chocolate mousse has to be the best one so far!

    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

  • Kate PritchettItaly 2024Traveler
    The terraces on the hillsides are covered in vineyards.
    1One of our guides took this as I caught my breath on this very steep staircase!Spaghetti with clams for lunch. We ate fried fish for dinner - this area is known for sardines.1Yes, my shirt is so sweat-soaked that it's translucent. What a hike!No time to enjoy the beach, sadly.This weird little church's skeleton decorations have something to do with pirates.The water is so blue!

    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

  • Kate PritchettItaly 2024Traveler
    One of at least two courtyards inside the palace grounds.
    They had an exhibit of various portrayals of Orpheus.Very elaborate frescoes inside the chapel. Man on horseback surely a Medici?Also from the chapelRare view of a sculpture's fashionable feetMeeting hall/concert room ceilingMore grotesques on the ceiling!This ceiling fresco is jaw-dropping.Fresco detailDinner was two antipasti: sheep's cheese plate and a savory pumpkin flan

    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.

  • Kate PritchettItaly 2024Traveler
    I took so many pics of this courtyard. So impressive.
    More grotesques all over here.A huge hall on the main floor was just swimming in macho sculptures and paintings.Ceiling of said hall.Another room, one of so many elaborate frescoes.We both got stiff necks from gawking at the ceilings!The chapel is small but really beautiful.We saw so many lions. This was definitely the most dramatic!

    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

  • 2026© FindPenguins
  • Home
  • About us
  • Group Tracking
  • Press
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy & Cookies
  • Help Center
  • Legal notice