We take the Toyota CHR hybrid for run to Panicale in Umbria. It’s scary, I haven’t driven in Italy for a few years, the first part is it’s all weird, not sure where the edge of the road is, nor the mirror. But you get better as you drive more, and it’s as requested an automatic. I nearly had a nervous breakdown driving a manual around these hills and skinny roads the first time we hired a car years ago. No more manuals!

At Panicale we have a coffee and some food, then overland up hill down dale to Orvietto to check it out. Had some struggles with the toll booth but my fault, I didn’t get the car close enough to the machine and then couldn’t get out to fix my error. I needed help. The Navigator and The Mechanic came to the rescue.

Orvietto was so so, same stuff as other hill towns, tourists, school kids hitting you up for money, but it does have an interesting history. It’s not a walled town because it is surrounded by cliffs pretty much. But the cafes, restaurants and craft shops look very similar to other places. We parked in a 30 minute car space at the train station and got the funicular up the hill/ cliff. No fines when we get back!

We scoot back the autostrada for the cost of a €5.90 toll and get back up the hill and into a free carpark at Cortona without bending the Toyota. A miracle.

Dinner tonight is a Ristorante La Loggetta above Piaza dela Republica. It’s a bit more expensive than we usually do for dinner but the food is good. Some Americans are sitting beside us, not wanting to spend more than €200 on a bottle of wine! Good to hear their economy is fairing well with Donald back in the driver’s seat.

Ciao da una cittadina collinare toscana

Pauolo