Day 39 – June 27, 2025 – Foiano, Italy

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Day 39 – June 27, 2025 – Foiano, Italy

Today is our last trip with Barbara ☹ We have thoroughly enjoyed her, and she has been amazing with taking care of everything for us. She has been a very special part of our time here in Foiano! I forgot to mention that on Wednesday she gave me a little birthday present of a set of wine glasses with each of our names etched in it, so very sweet of her to do that!

Barbara picked us up at 9 am and we headed to Assisi. We met up with our guide, Antonella, and had a 2 ½ hour tour of the Basilica of San Francesco, Basilica of Santa Chiara and the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore. Antonella was very good and lots of information that I could not keep up with.  Also, we could not take any pictures in any of the places we went to, so that’s why there isn’t much. It’s a cute little town and I wish we’d had more time to visit. Maybe another trip!

After the tour, Barbara was waiting for us and then drove us to the winery, Poggio Santa Maria. This is a young winery as they have only been open since 2021 and the owner, Massimiliano Marchetti, who is also a surgeon, had a vision of the winery initiated by his father and grandfather. It is located on the hills connecting Castiglione del Lago to Montepulciano, with a view over Lake Chiusi. The view is so gorgeous, and the winery is very modern so very unlike most of the others we have been to. We had our tour with a lovely young lady whose name none of us can remember (sigh, lol!) and we were seated at a beautiful table with gorgeous views looking out over the lake and hills beyond. We tried four wines – a Rosato, a white and two reds. We were served crostini with chicken liver, burrata with tomato and basil, and burrata with prosciutto. Next came a meat platter followed by a truffle pasta and then dessert. We all got panna cotta, except for Kevin, who chose biscuits with Vin Santo. The wines and the “light lunch” were really good and we decided to split a case to have shipped home. Imagine that….! We also made a new friend, Gigi, the winery cat who really took a liking to Kristen as she had no problem just jumping up in Kristen’s lap and making herself comfortable!

We originally were supposed to stop at another little town near Lake Trasimeno, but since we were pressed for time, we had Barbara go ahead and bring us back so that John and Vance could get Kristen and Kevin back to Florence.

It was bittersweet saying goodbye to Barbara as we will miss her but know we have made a good friend. If we ever come back to this area, we will know who to get up with.

John took our little Paola to Barbara’s garage; she brought him back then the two guys headed out with the kids. We enjoyed having them here and so glad they were able to come spend some time with us; it was lots of fun!

Michelle and I headed for the pool for awhile then decided to get in a couple rounds of mahjong before the guys got back. We cooked up some sausages and had a late meal of sausage and some of the leftover pasta from the night before.  After dinner and cleaning up, we sat outside and chatted for a while and decided to have a down day tomorrow to catch up on laundry and just chill. Another great day in Italy – ciao!

Kristen and Kevin on their balcony – we really enjoyed hanging out with them!
The medieval fortress, Rocca Maggiore, in the background and dates back to the 12th century. It served both as a defensive stronghold and a symbol of authority.
The Basilica of Saint Clare, one of the most important churches in the city. Love the horizontal bands of pink and white stone. Centered high on the facade is an ornate Gothic rose window.
Chiesa Nuova (New Church) – a small but historically significant church built on the site traditionally believed to be the birthplace and family home of Saint Francis of Assisi. Built in 1615.
The Temple of Minerva in the Piazza del Comune, the historic main square in Assisi. It is one of the best preserved Roman temples in all of Italy. The six columns are original and date back to the 1st century BC.
The Upper Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, specifically, the main Gothic portal of the Upper Church. Construction began in 1228, the same year Saint Francis was canonized.
The lawn and hillside directly in front of the Basilica. The shrubs in the back form the word PAX, which is Latin for peace.
At the vineyard overlooking the Umbrian-Tuscan countryside and Lake Trasimeno.
Yum, lots of wine!
John ready to get his drink on, lol!
Loved all the windows with the views!
Our three different types of bruschetta
A pea salad and it reminded me of black-eyed peas – it was very good!
Our usual selection of meats
Truffle pasta, super yummy!
Panna cotta
Kristen’s friend, Gigi, made herself right at home.
This was in the winery and I loved how the light played!
Gigi finally let me touch her, lol!
A great time at the winery and our favorite chauffeur, Barbara!
It was bittersweet saying goodbye to her, such a wonderful lady!
The kids getting one last rest in before they head to the airport.
Finally playing mahjong!!!!!
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