Italy-Day 9, Assisi and a Lovely Family Dinner

Another early start to the day as we head to Assisi, home of St. Francis.  We landed in the parking lot for the Basilica of St. Francis. It was nestled high on the hill, offering beautiful views.  

Then we started the trek up hill, through town to the Basilica that you can see there in the distance.

Our guide for this tour was Romana.  She was a hoot.  She is so knowledgeable and made the tour so much fun that you didn't realize how much history you were learning.  Again, no photography was allowed in this building.  The monks take this very seriously, and we saw a gentleman being escorted out for not obeying this rule.

We had some free time at the end of the tour to take photos and do some shopping.  I'm sure you won't be surprised to see that we found a restaurant in which to enjoy a cocktail before heading to the home of Joseph and Luciana Castellani where we were treated to a home-cooked meal that was out of this world, and a piano concert by their son, Thomas.

As you exited the bus, you could see this beautiful home on top of the hill.  We were met by Joseph, who introduced himself.  Joseph was born and raised in the Upper Peninsula of my home state,  Michigan.  

He is a Chiropractic Doctor and was assigned to work with the Women's volleyball team in Italy 40 years ago.  He met and fell in love with his wife, Luciana, and moved to her hometown town where they bought a ramshackle cottage.  They renovated the cottage into an apartment and lived in that as they continued to renovate and enlarge the property.  

They have 2 children, one of whom is currently living in Bologna and the other, Thomas, who is still at home.  We were then invited inside the first apartment to be served a family-style dinner.

Dinner was amazing.  The plates and wine glasses never emptied.  Joseph and Luicana were the perfect hosts.  

We were then invited into the main residence, where we were blessed with a piano concert by Thomas.  He is truly talented.  What an amazing experience with a wonderful family.  This is a memory I will cherish forever.