Italy Day 8-Spoleto

We had a lovely breakfast before getting on the bus for Umbria.  It was about a 2 1/2 hour trip to our first stop, the Old Carletti Olive Press.

We entered the original building,  holding the press that is still used today to produce 40,000 litres each year after harvesting all the olives by hand as they are grown on a mountainside, making it impossible to use machinery.

This machinery has been used since 1620 by the Carletti family, who press olives for oil used for consumption and beauty products.  The family also makes cheese, honey, and green and black tapenade.  They have recently contracted with TJ Maxx in the USA, whose stores will be carrying their products.  

The owner is very expressive and passionate.  He speaks only Italian and told his story to Anton, who relayed it to us, leaving out the more colorful parts of the story as told by Mr. Carletti.

We were treated to olive oil tasting on fresh bruschetta made on an open fire by Mr. Carletti.  We tried three different olive oils, each one delicious.  We also enjoyed their homemade cheese with honey they harvested from their bees.  The family has branched out into the restaurant business. You can learn more at their website.

While the others finished their shopping, I took a seat outside.  I was soon joined by Mr. Carletti, who used Google Translate to ask me if I would consider cheating on Frank with him.  He is a classic Italian character!!!  It was a great outing.

We left the olive press and headed into Spoleto, where we dropped our baggage at I Duchi hotel.  Our rooms were not yet ready, so we walked into town for a quick lunch.  We checked into our rooms and then met with another guide who gave us a walking tour of this beautiful town nestled in the mountains.

Of course, there was a church to explore.  Spoleto Cathedral is dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

It was a very interesting tour.  A film crew was in the courtyard of the church, taping a session for a popular television show.  Some of the buildings and fountains are thousands of years old.  We passed by a wine and charcuterie store, making a note to ourselves to return when we had some downtime.

We freshened up and met with the rest of the tour group on the patio of I Duchi for pre-dinner wine.  Dinner was provided in the hotel restaurant, a lovely 5-course meal.  It was another long, enjoyable day.