Assisi-Spello

On the train into Foligno we noticed a town after Assisi which was perched up on a hill. The friendly Italian man we had been having an interesting conversation with told us it was an old Roman settlement which was worth visiting. Well we think that was what he said as he spoke very little English and of course we speak no Italian. It was a very animated conversation! He was also telling us about the damage done by the earthquake a few years ago. We had forgotten that it was in this region. There is a lot of repair work still going on.

We thought we would go to Assisi first to try to beat some of the crowds, then to Spello on the way back. We got off the bus at the top stop in Assisi and walked back down to the Basilica. There are some lovely small streets to wander through in the top part and not a lot of tourists.

Temple of Minerva

Coming down there are several opportunities to look down on the town and the surrounding plains.

The crowds had started to build up by this time so we decided to head to Spello. We hopped on the train with what we thought was a return ticket, to be informed by the ticket inspector that it was one way, from Foligno to Assisi and we were facing a 30 euro penalty each. We tried to explain that we had asked for a return ticket but he wasn’t budging. Lots of animated discussion took place, with the inspector speaking less English the longer it went on for. It wasn’t until Peter produced our Eurail pass that he let us go. We will be more careful about making sure we have the right ticket next time.

It was a good thing we had decided to get off at Spello anyway otherwise he might have had another go at us. Spello was a real surprise. Remnants of the old Roman settlement and lots of alleyways with beautiful pots of flowers.

 

 

We had lunch on a balcony overlooking the valley.

Time to head back to Foligno and we got to the station in plenty of time to buy a ticket. We are never getting on a train again without a valid ticket. However there was no ticket office and the self-serve ticket machine was not working. There was a sign telling us where we could buy tickets in the town so off we set again, only to discover that the shop was closed until 3.00 and the train left at 2.54. Peter suggested we walk the 3 kilometres, but Claire wasn’t happy about walking on the road and there didn’t seem to be a path. A friendly taxi driver offered to take us for 20 euros but we said no. Luckily we found a bar, Peter had a beer and the woman there told us there was a bus leaving at 3.00 from just across the road. It cost us 3 euros to get back.