Italy
Perugia

Discover travel destinations of travelers writing a travel journal on FindPenguins.
Travelers at this place
    • Day 64

      Travel Day 2 back to Como

      May 16, 2023 in Italy ⋅ 🌧 17 °C

      When we drove into Sulmona last night it was dark. So this morning we woke up to mountains. This area is surrounded by beautiful green mountains. The mountain range is called the Apennines. After our breakfast at our hotel to started driving towards Mount Sibillini. Near the town of Assisi. It looked like a cool mountain to explore and had lots of drivable roads around the mountain. But the rain got heavier as we approached the mountain. We decided to stop for lunch and see if the rain would let up. We found a cute trattoria along the road and knew it was going to be good when the fire truck was parked here. If the local municipal workers eat here that’s a good sign.
      After lunch we decided to change course and drive to Assisi instead. This town is of course famous for its connection to St. Francis of Assisi. There is a huge basilica there dedicated to St. Francis. It is also where he is buried. The basilica is beautiful. Its 3 stories. St. Francis tomb was built underground, in a circular room and it has its own alter and alcoves and pews to pray surrounding the tomb. There is a oil fueled hanging lantern that stays lit all year long. The oil is given to the church from a different region in Italy each year. The 1st floor basilica is dark and windowless but was the most beautiful in my opinion. We were told that long ago when it was only eliminated by oil flames. Its very dark and mysterious. It was meant to make you think deeper about your journey with God.
      The upper basilica is filled with stained glass windows and a huge arched ceiling. On all the Walls of the upper basilica the walls are covered with frescos each one depreciating the life of St. Francis from birth to death. The upper basilica is meant to have you feel uplifted and create a positive spiritual connection to God.
      St. Francis is the patron saint of Italy. The basilica was built two years after St. Francis death. So very quickly. Construction began in 1228. Finished in 1253. The city of Assisi is preserved in its medieval era. There is a lot to see in Assisi. In better weather, its a beautiful city to explore all the different churches and monuments dedicated to St. Francis.
      We arrived in the town of Perugia. The rain did not let up. We took the car and drove to dinner at a cute pizzeria. The pizza was delicious! On to tomorrow….
      Read more

    • Day 75

      Perugia-Stadt

      September 13, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

      Perugia-der antike lateinische Name Perusia, wurde schon zur Zeit der Villanova-Kultur von den Etruskern im 9./8.Jh.v.Chr. besiedelt, und gehörte im 5.Jh.v.Chr. zum Zwölfstädtebund.
      Im 3.Jh.v.Chr.eroberten die Römer die Stadt und errichteten einen Befestigungsring um die Stadt. Nach dem durch Octavian (später Kaiser Augustus) gewonnenen Krieg (41/40vChr.) brannte die Stadt nieder und wurde wieder von Kaiser Augustus aufgebaut.
      Im 6. Jh. hatte Perugia wieder seine Bedeutung gewonnen und hatte eine starke Festung. Die Eroberung der Stadt wechselte zwischen den Ostgoten, Byzantinern und Langobarden.
      Im Mittelalter war Perugia heute Verbündete Roms gegen den Kaiser und stellte sich 1198 unter den Schutz des Papstes Innozenz III. Beherrscht wurde sie, ähnlich wie in toskanischen Stadtstaaten, von guelfischen Kaufleuten und machten diese zu einem wichtigen Handelszentrum im 13. Jh.
      1473 gelangte der Verlobungsring Mariens durch Diebstahl aus Chiusa nach Perugia und wird heute noch in der Kathedrale verehrt. Nach dem Salzkrieg (Salzsteuer durch Papst eingeführt) wurde die Stadt für drei Jahrhunderte dem Kirchenstaat unterworfen.
      Read more

    • Day 79

      Perugia Day 1

      November 28, 2023 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 10 °C

      Our travel from Montepulciano to Perugia went uneventfully. Buses and trains behaved and arrived on time.
      I even had time for an expresso between bus and train from a patischeria run by an Italian, and Mandarin speaking oriental lady who made really good expresso.
      We were met by our host in Perugia who spoke very quickly and only in Italian giving us information and walked us round the apartment to show us where things were. She apologized greatly for her English speaking daughter not being able to check us in as she was sick with fever.
      Thanks to the little Italian I have picked up from Merome and Fiona, was able to make a good guess as to her instructions.
      We came across a Tipici (shop that sells local delicacies and wines) when we were walking around. The warm shop owner invited us in and welcomed us to Perugia with a tote of complimentary Visiolata. It's a red wine that has some cherries in it. Delicious .

      Distance walked 8.7km
      Read more

    • Day 80

      Perugia Day 2

      November 29, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

      We had a very restful day as Ruby is getting over a bit of a cold. We visited the Duomo di San Lorenzo. Beautifully frescoed with some beautiful artwork. Best of all, it's free to enter.

      Distance walked 3.5kmRead more

    • Day 82

      Perugia Day 4

      December 1, 2023 in Italy ⋅ 🌬 16 °C

      It took us all of one hour to visit the historic centre of Perugia as we had already been to the Duomo and we weren't going to the galleries.
      We did find a veggie stall to stock up for our stay in tomorrow as it is meant to rain practically all day.
      We did stop for gelato and coffee and Ruby and I reckon the gelato was the best so far.
      We rested in the afternoon as Ruby is still getting over her cold.
      Going for a tartufo dinner then resting till we get to Rome on Sunday.

      Distance walked 8.5 km
      Read more

    • Day 81

      Perugia Day 3 : Gubbio

      November 30, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

      The bus to Gubbio was either before 8am or at 11.23am. As Gubbio is just a small medieval town, we decided that the later bus would give us enough time for a good look around. The first settlement in Gubbio dates back to the middle palaeolithic period. It was an ally of Rome from the 3rd century BC, and traces of Roman influence can still be seen in town. Most obviously in the Roman Theatre which we did not get to due to the rain.
      We started our visit with a delicious all tartufo lunch at a Locanda del Tartufo. Then we braved the rain to get up to the Cathedral of San Mariano and Giacomo, fortunately with the help of an elevator. Gubbio has kindly provided 2 sets of elevators to take you to 2 different landings for this steep hillside town.
      Maybe due to the rain, Gubbio was deserted. We were the only ones in the churches. The quiet and the sanctuary the church provided from the wind and rain must have contributed to my feeling of calm and serenity.
      We then walked the medieval streets in the rain till we came across a fountain also nicknamed "la Fontana dei Matti" that according to tradition, anyone who ran round the fountain three times, and baptized by the water would be symbolicly be certified a "madman of Gubbio". Ruby and I ran round the fountain three times but didn't baptize with the water. Instead, we collected water from the drinking fountain next to it. So I have concluded that we are certified only half mad, or totally mad as we have drunk from the waters.
      We also visited 2 other churches and took refuge in the Church of San Francesco to wait out of the rain for our bus back to Perugia.
      We have not had a day trip without some trouble. When this trip went smoothly from the start, I was rather apprehensive when waiting for the bus back. I asked the the bus driver who dropped us off where to catch the bus back to Perugia, and he pointed across the road. So there we waited with a lady from Africa. Ruby then remarked that the bus across the road has Perugia written as it's final destination. I crossed the road to ask the driver and he confirmed that he was going to Perugia. Meanwhile, the African lady told Ruby that the bus to Perugia left from her side of the road, confirming what the bus driver from Perugia told us. Anyway, Ruby crossed the road to board the bus. Our bus tickets would not validate. So thinking we had the wrong bus, we left the bus and crossed back. I then started to worry that if this was the bus and we missed it, the next bus would not be for another 3 hours. So Ruby and I crossed back to the bus, and I had to buy tickets from the bus driver. The ride there costed us €1.50 each. The ride back was €6.50 each. To complicate things, I only had €12, or a €20 note and the driver did not give change. Fortunately, the African lady crossed the road to see if we were ok, and she happily gave me the €1 to make up our bus fare. Another travel angel. Would you believe that all that crossing of road (in the rain with cars zooming by) and confusion took place inside of 2 minutes.
      We are back in the apartment safe and sound. We planned to do another day trip tomorrow and one from Rome, but with the inclement weather forecast and our track record, we are not doing anymore day trips. There is only so much stress and excitement 2 old travellers can take and there is only so many travel angels the universe will give us. I fear we're in debit on that account.
      Distance walked 6.2km
      Read more

    • Day 26

      Roadtrip zur ältesten Republik der Welt

      November 2, 2020 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

      Guten Morgähhhn....
      Also eins muss man den Kläffern hier lassen. Sie sind sehr wachsam und scheinen nie zu schlafen und falls doch, dann übernimmt in der Zwischenzeit der Hahn im Dorf den Job des Nerventods. Und da wundert es niemand, dass für uns kurz nach 6 Uhr die Nacht vorbei war. Aber wie heißt es doch so schön: „Der frühe Vogel....“
      Na gut, auf Würmer sind wir heut nicht aus, aber auf einen schönen Roadtrip durch Umbrien, um uns noch ein paar hübsche Städtchen anzuschauen. Die autobahnfreie Route würde durch Rom führen, was zur Rush-Hour wahrscheinlich nichts so clever ist. Drum nehmen wir zum Anfang also doch wieder die Autobahn, bis wir an Rom vorbei sind und fahren dann ab, um Land und Leute zu sehen. Obwohl man da teilweise echt viel Enthusiasmus an den Tag legen muss, um das durchzuziehen. Die Straßen sind teilweise schlechter als zu Honeckers Zeiten. Da räumt es einem die Wohnmobil-Schränke einmal komplett um. Aber ich als Bordpersonal, brauche ja auch immer mal etwas Bewegung. Da begebe ich mich dann auf die Suche nach diversen Geräuschen, wie klappern, quietschen oder poltern, um diese dann im besten Fall zu beseitigen. Auf dem Rückweg bringe ich dann auch gern mal Verpflegung mit zurück, bevor ich wieder die Position wechsele und von der Stewardess zum Co-Piloten und Navigator werde. Ist echt ein Fulltimejob solch ein Wohnmobilurlaub. *schmunzel*
      Wir holpern also weiter gen Norden, decken uns zwischendrin mit Obst, Brot und Käse ein und steuern als erstes Ziel Perugia, die Hauptstadt Umbriens an. Wie die meisten Städte in der Gegend, liegt sie oben auf einem Berg und wir kämpfen uns mit Kai-Uwe wieder unsere geliebten Serpentinen rauf, bis zum Parkplatz unterhalb der Stadtmauer. Die Altstadt ist nämlich verkehrsberuhigt. Nachdem ich beim 5. Versuch endlich einen Parkschein aus dem Automaten bekommen habe, laufen wir los. Natürlich geht es weiter bergauf. Es gibt sogar eine unterirdische Rolltreppe nach oben in die Altstadt, aber wir wollen uns ja auch ein bisschen bewegen. Mal wieder beeindruckend, die uralten Häuser, Gassen und Kirchen. Die Stadt blickt aber auch auf eine jahrtausendealte Geschichte zurück. Perugia wurde bereits im 9. Jhd. v. Chr. erstmals erwähnt. Danach wechselte die mehrfach den „Besitzer“ und ist heute ein Anziehungspunkt für Touristen. Allerdings nicht mehr im November und schon gar nicht mittags. Somit haben fast alle Läden geschlossen und wir schlendern einfach so durch die Stadt und wandeln durch die schmalen Gassen, mit ihren kleinen Stufenabsätzen. Unser Hunger hält sich nach einem Olivensnack, während der Fahrt in Grenzen und so verschieben wir das Mittag auf unser nächstes Ziel Citta di Castello. Dort haben wir nämlich einen Restaurant Tipp mit genauer Essens-Empfehlung. Wir fahren also weiter und sind eine Stunde später in Città, wie es unter Kennern kurz genannt wird. Dort sieht es dann aber noch verwaister aus, als in Perugia und besagtes Restaurant hat geschlossen, genau wie eigentlich fast alle weiteren. Sogar der Dönermann hat zu. Und ich hatte mich insgeheim schon auf ne große Pizza oder leckere Nudeln gefreut. Aber nichts!!! Nicht einmal ein Eis ist dort aufzutreiben. Gisela schaut auch ganz verwirrt, als wir sie nach 20 Minuten schon wieder aus dem Schlaf reißen, indem wir die Schiebetür öffnen. Na dann disponieren wir mal wieder um und schauen mal schnell, wie weit es denn bis San Marino ist. Etwas mehr als 100 km lautet die Antwort von Frau Google. Nebenbei gibt es noch die Info, dass es die älteste Republik der Welt und einer der reichsten Staaten weltweit ist. Ein paar Klicks weiter habe ich auch prompt einen Stellplatz gefunden und wir starten um nicht erst im Finsteren anzukommen. Klappt auch super. Bis jetzt kann man noch nichts weiter sehen. Ich weiß aber, dass wir von hier aus, morgen direkt zur Seilbahn laufen können. Die soll uns morgen nämlich ins historische Zentrum auf den Berg bringen. Ich bin schon sehr gespannt.
      Read more

    • Day 11

      Perugia

      September 13, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

      Perugia is the capital of this region and has been for centuries. We got a very good tour that helped us understand the history associated with the buildings and art. It goes back to the Etruscans (gate photo). Over the centuries the remnants of the Etruscan walls were used as the foundations for villas and palaces.

      The town symbol is the Griffin -- shades of Harry Potter. Check out the window with sweets. Even without indulging I am sure I have gained five pounds here.

      We spent our free time in a museum. I'm getting the hang of it -- this one did a nice job of documenting the development of art from the 12th through the 16th century. While the main story was the development of perspective, we also witnessed the evolution of color, realism, and towards the end emotion and scenes from daily life.
      Read more

    • Day 234

      Perugia ( In our favourite bar )

      February 8, 2020 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 3 °C

      Great night in our favourite bar in Perugia for aperitivo
      It was soccer night and the local team was 0 - 2 down as you can see on the faces of the bar staff and patrons.

    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Perugia, بيرودجا, Perusa, Pérouse, פרוג'ה, PEG, ペルージャ, Perusia, Perosa, Перуджа, Перуђа, 佩鲁贾

    Join us:

    FindPenguins for iOSFindPenguins for Android