Our “visitors” have now left us (sorry you have to go back to cold old Melbourne Stewio and economo Lyndsio!)

On their last day here in Chiusi , we decided to do the tour in our village of “The Underground City ( not Gregorio , it was going to be too claustrophobic for him!)

We began by visiting Porsenna’s Labyrinth , a series of 3 tiered underground tunnels, rather small in parts, 50 feet underground that were tunnelled by the Etruscans to provide drainage and drinking water for the town more than 2500 years ago! After the Romans occupied the city, the tunnels were forgotten and it wasn’t until 1989 that they were “rediscovered” and excavated.

There is also a huge 40 feet tall Roman cistern underground erected without mortar or concrete. Porsenna was a legendary Etruscan king and was “supposedly buried inside the tunnels. His sarcophagus was said to be inside a golden carriage with 12 statues of horses guarded by a hen and 5000 chicks also made of gold! Rather impressive. It has never been found and unfortunately we didn’t find it either.

One of the pluses of this tour was that the outside temperature was hovering at 37degree , but down in the tunnels it was a magnificent 14 degrees. We then climbed from the cistern to the top of the 12th century Bell Tower for some great views.

The second part of the tour was to The Underground City. We again went belowground and wandered through Etruscan tunnels for 140 metres and passed by a well , where a lake 300 metres below street level could be seen.

Below , in these tunnels is the largest display of Etruscan funeral urns and tombstones anywhere in the world. It was extremely interesting and once again lovely and cool underground.

For our last dinner with Stew and Lynds we returned to our “friend” Andres. Different pasta this time but OMG it was still sensational.

Rhonda’s ravioli in ginger sauce was stunning, Lynds loved her pici with aubergine and white truffle, and Stew and Greg were in raptures with their pici with goose ragu. In Greg’s words…..the best pasta I have had so far this tour! We will definitely return, probably a few times, before we leave Chiusi.

We waved Stew and Lynds off on the train on their way to Rome and we drove to see the imposing Medieval Fortress of Radicofani. It was a stunning 360 degree view over the Val d’Orcia.

In the 13th Century , the “Robin Hood” of Italy also known as the Gentleman  Bandit lived here. We then wandered through the lovely quiet non touristy village of Radicafoni.

The square (on the right) known as The Square of the Jewish Ghetto was very pretty, we loved the flowers.

Our drive the next day took us to 2 villages that we had thought about staying in for our month here in Umbria, however we are so happy we didn’t! Both were a little too touristy for us , and all you heard were “pommie accents”! Here in Chiusi it’s Italian Italian Italian! Si si si !

Our first stop was Todi…yes another medieval hill top village. The view from the Belvedere (above) was stunning and also had a lovely breeze , very welcoming as by this time the temp had gone up to 38 degrees.

The central Piazza del Popolo was lovely with the Peoples Palace, the Town Hall and the Priori Palace dating back to the 14th Century. Our lunch in Todi was sensational. It was a panini with chicken (real chicken too) with grilled zucchini, aubergine, and peppers ,all freshly cooked and prepared. It was great!

Our next stop was Montefalco, again slightly too touristy for us , but still a lovely village to visit. The Piazza del Comune was cute and the area is renown for it’s wine and olive oil.

The area surrounding the village is consequently surrounded by olive tress and vineyards which resulted in a very pretty drive and of course the purchase of a couple of bottles of  vino!

We also “finally” came across some of Rhonda’s favourite sunflowers so of course we had to have a photo stop!

AS well as going out to restaurants, we are eating at home and Chef Gregorio is doing an outstanding job!

Stewio and Economo Lyndsio, we hope you have a safe trip home, and thank you for coming to stay with us! We hope we showed you a little of rural Italy! We will continue to have our aperitifs at our “garden Bar” and think of you both each time we have an aperol, a G n T or a birra!!!!!

Speaking of which, yep it’s that time again ! No time for AFD’s on this trip!

Ciao ciao

Love Gregorio and Rhondio

xxxxx