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    Travel » Italy » Umbria

    Italy through the Windshield

    Published: Oct 17, 2011 · Modified: Oct 27, 2014 by Marissa Stevens · 11 Comments

    We like to travel by train, but in smaller towns it's better to drive. On this trip, we've driven just over 2,000 kilometers and are so glad for it, because driving adds contour and context. From the car we see how some towns are quite modern, others full of industry, that farmland in the Fall looks almost like desert, that just in the last week, leaves are beginning to change from green to gold and red. This is our last week with a car, and we thought you might enjoy seeing a glimpse of Italy from the road.

    Today we're driving about 180 kilometers from Civitella Marittima to Assisi, with a stop in Cortona for lunch. Here's the route:

    italy-through-the-windshield-map

    Buckle you seat-belt, here we go.

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    cortona-from-the-car

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    lake-trasimeno

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    More Umbria

    • Bucatini with Black Truffle
    • The Road to Rome
    • Storm the Castle
    • Day Trip to Deruta

    Reader Interactions

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    1. Krista says

      October 17, 2011 at 11:13 pm

      Wonderful road trip - Thanks 🙂

      I did read Under the Tuscan Sun and really enjoyed it...I believe it was you who gave me the book!

      Reply
    2. Tim says

      October 17, 2011 at 7:34 pm

      Did you stop by to say hi to Francis Meyes? It looks like everyone in Tuscany is waiting for the rain to start just like us - forecast for end of the week.

      Reply
      • marissa says

        October 18, 2011 at 12:03 pm

        We didn't, though I understand a lot of people drive to Bramasole. I'm sure that her Cotona life changed entirely with the success of her book.

        Reply
    3. Thom says

      October 17, 2011 at 6:54 pm

      Good set of contextual pics. Saw the movie with super hottie Diane Lane, but did not read the book (chick read, dontcha know, wouldn't want the ghost of Ernest Hemingway catching me reading something of that ilk- he'd box my ears, as they say)- I think Jeni did. The roads are so much nicer than ours here- my high school buddy in Zurich always complains about how crappy our infrastructure is here, and your pavement pics prove that point (lotta p's in there).

      Reply
      • marissa says

        October 18, 2011 at 12:06 pm

        Ha! You should read the book, it's nothing like the movie. Ernest will forgive you. We'll talk about the infrastructure over a glass of vino when we get home. 🙂 ps. can't wait to read about your trip to Peru/Bolivia! http://thomsjusttrippin.wordpress.com

        Reply
    4. Jenn says

      October 17, 2011 at 6:31 pm

      What a great post! Loved looking through your windshield. It's incredible to me how confident you both are and your ability to not look like tourists!! But...that being said, we MISS you and can't wait to come stay with you after you get back. We need to hear all the incredible details in person!

      Reply
      • marissa says

        October 18, 2011 at 12:07 pm

        Always miss you too! In person sounds perfect...

        Reply
    5. Sharon J says

      October 17, 2011 at 6:16 pm

      I've been out of town for over a week and was unable to follow your blog. I couldn't wait to see what the two of you had been up to and it's been so much fun catching up. Your pictures are beautiful and it makes me miss Italy so much. We love Tuscany and your stories have made me miss it even more.

      Sharon J

      Reply
      • marissa says

        October 18, 2011 at 12:09 pm

        Tuscany is certainly worth its reputation! Thank you for such kind words...

        Reply
    6. Gloria and Marcel says

      October 17, 2011 at 2:29 pm

      Please say hi to Rebecca for us! I think I scared her with my comments about poor Charlie and children's hands to cut! LOL Enjoy the rest of your holiday!

      Reply
      • marissa says

        October 18, 2011 at 12:11 pm

        Ha! Thanks Gloria - Casina di Rosa was so wonderful...

        Reply

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