Tom`s travels: Easter on the Tyrrhenian Sea (06-10/04/2023)

For the Easter break, I decided to head back to Italy and join my family for a nice vacation in Tuscany and Lazio. We drove from Vicenza and stopped on the way to pick up my brother in Florence who had taken a train from Milan. After a few more hours' drive we eventually reached our accommodation, the Residence il Poderino, near the seaside town of Talamone, in the southern part of Tuscany. After a good night's sleep, where we had to turn on the heater as it was rather cold, the next morning we started the visit to the area. We woke up early and drove to nearby Talamone and once there walked on foot through the little pretty old town. The sun was shining but it was still pretty cold, also due to the wind, and we were having to wear thick jackets. We first stopped at the small main square, Piazza IV November, overlooking the small port. We then made a little round of the few streets characterizing the city center and then enjoyed the view from the top of the walls. These were originally built during the 13th century and then rebuilt during the 15th and 16th centuries to withstand modern warfare. The view from there was amazing, with the crystal clear blue water encircling the old town to the east, south, and west. On the highest spot of town, right on the cliff above the water, we then reached the Rocca Aldobrandesca, a 13th-century castle refurbished during the following two centuries. The town was heavily bombed during WWII, and thus not much survived, such as the parish church which had to be rebuilt in 1949. After visiting the town, my brother and I decided to tackle a trail along the coast to the north while my parents would then head somewhere else to visit in the meantime. We waved goodbye and walked uphill from the castle, soon reaching the entrance to the Maremma Regional Park. This regional park extended for 8900 hectares along the coast and is made up of a typical Mediterranean forest and shrubs along beautiful and untouched areas of coastline. Because of this, entrance to the park is paid with a daily limit and visitors are forced to stay on the pre-determined trails. Supposedly a payment was required for each separate trail, but as we were aiming to walk the entire coastline, which would mean a total of about three different trails, we thought it would be ridiculous to have to pay 30 euros each. Once we crossed the threshold of the gate we started hiking through the forest and soon after reached the Punta del Corvo, a peak at 214m above sea level. From here, we had an incredible view of the coastline, both back towards Talamone with its gulf, and onwards to the north with all the unspoiled forested coastline all the way to Marina di Alberese, our final destination. As we continued onwards through the forest the temperature had started rising both due to the height of the sun, and also due to our movement. Further on we then reached the secluded Spiaggia delle Cannelle, with no one around in sight, and the beautiful crystal clear blue waters reflecting the strong sun rays. We took a few photos and then continued on along the trail. After a short uphill part, we then reached another really great spot with the typical Mediterranean flora creating a picturesque sight with the blue waters below. A small side trail led down the bush towards the water so we decided to follow it and head down. We reached the little beach, Cala Salto del Cervo, and here I then decided to have a swim. As the little bay was protected by low cliffs and the forest behind there was no wind and the sun made the temperature of the air much warmer. The water was extremely cold yet once outside I didn't shiver and managed to easily dry off in the sun. We also decided to eat the lunch we had brought with us, a couple of sandwiches with some veggies and fruit. Once we were done it was, unfortunately, time to move on, we reluctantly left that paradise on earth and headed back up to the main trail. As we walked on though the views were amazing and made us already forget about the beach. We were aiming to reach the Torre di Cala Forno but found no trail headed that way as it was just thick forest and bushes so instead we had to follow the trail which started heading backward and uphill. After a bit of walking up, we then found a little trail heading once again northwards, which despite the narrowness granted us some beautiful view over the coastline. We could now easily make out our final destination, Marina di Alberese with its long sandy beach and behind it the large pinewood. To our left, across the glistening sea, we could also make out the island of Giglio, and even that of Montecristo. Walking further we then reached a flat area where an old building that once served as a customs house is located, and right behind it a large beach known as Cala di Forno. This one was much larger and sandy, but it was quite windy and too cold to swim compared to the previous one. At that point we started to meet the first people of the day, some walkers who had come from the opposite direction as us. We continued on along the trail, having some nice views over the coast, until we then reached a crossroad. We had initially planned to include the visit of the Torre dell'Uccellina, one of the nicest and best-preserved of the medieval watchtowers present along the coastline. However, from that point, it was another 40 minutes uphill, and another more coming back down the same way. As we had walked already several kilometers and for several hours, and still had some more to go, we reluctantly decided to skip and instead continued on. Shortly after we then reached the Torre di Collelungo, another of those watchtowers. Like the others, this was built by Siena during the early Renaissance period to strengthen the coastal defense system along the coastal stretch controlled by the Republic of Siena. Not far from it, we could spot another of those towers, the Torre di \. The tower is located on a rocky outcrop that dominates the pine forest planted by the Grand Dukes of Tuscany during the 18th century and the mouth of the Ombrone River. At that point from the vantage position of the tower, we then descended down, heading towards the beach and the sea. From there we then walked all the way up the coastline on the beach shore. It was really cold and windy but so nice to walk right next to the water on soft sand. Eventually, we met up with our parents who had reached the beach by car, and got then in the car to head back. Right before leaving though we noticed an animal on the side of the road and saw it was a fox. My brother got out to take some photos and as he had a bag of chips on him the fox didn't seem scared and instead decided to get closer to him. He was at hand's reach but obviously, we thought not to feed it as it would be even more curious and less afraid of humans. From Marina di Alberese we then drove on and decided to stop on the way to visit some more places. Our first stop was the Monastery of San Bruzioa ruined monastery building from the 11th century close to the town of Magliano in Toscana in the middle of the countryside among olive trees. We visited the mostly ruined building which now only had the main apse and part of the transept left standing. After that, we then drove to nearby Magliano where we then visited the old town on foot. We entered through the old town gate, Porta San Giovanni, and then visited the small main church, San Giovanni Battista, originally Romanesque but later refurbished. Then through the old town we passed another church, San Martino, also Romanesque in style, and reached the other old town gate, Port San Martino. Not far from it we then found access to head up the town walls, which fully encircle the town and in some points are thick and rise up several meters. The view from the top was great, with the whole well-cared lush green countryside filled with olive trees. After enjoying the view from the walls we descended back down and headed to the car. We then drove a little while until we reached the last stop of the day, the city of Orbetello. This interesting city is located in the middle of a lagoon with the sea to the south and north and right next to the famous Monte Argentario with its picturesque seaside towns. After finding a parking spot we explore the town on foot. We first came upon the Duomo, most probably originating in the 13th century it features a nice gothic facade while the interior is mostly baroque and neoclassical. Right next to it we then walked through the small main square with the nice Palazzo del Governatore, dating to the 17th century and used the city's governor. From there we walked along the main street which still had some nice old houses and palaces despite the heavy bombings the city suffered during WWII. Once we reached the southwestern end of town we then admired the beautiful sunset over the lagoon with the sun setting behind the Monte Argentario. The view was even more picturesque with the so-called Spanish mill, located smack in the lagoon, and the sole survivor of the nine Sienese mills built in the lagoon during the 15th century. Back in town we then headed for dinner and stopped at a restaurant owned by my father's friend where we ate some really tasty fish dishes. It was then time to head back to our accommodation in Talamone.

The next morning, after an early rise, we headed to the water right in front of the accommodation, to enjoy the beautiful view of the town of Talamone perched on the cliff in the distance, the calm waters of the sea, and the already glistening warm sun. After enjoying the view we then started our day by driving southwards past Orbetello and reaching the town of Ansedonia on the coastline. Here we drove up a hill where we parked the car and then proceeded to visit the archaeological site of the ancient city of Cosa. The city was founded in 273 BC by the Romans as a colony on a rocky promontory at 114 m above sea level. After a decline following the fall of the roman empire, the site was then totally abandoned in the 14th century. The entrance was free and took place through the beautiful cyclopean walls that surrounded and still surround the ancient city. We walked among the nice ruins of the forum, the basilica, the baths, and many other public and private buildings all set on a lovely lush landscape filled with olive trees. We then reached the highest point where the Temple of Jupiter and the Capitolium are located. From there, among the ruins, we had an incredible view of the sea with the Monte Argentario straight ahead and the seaside town of Porto Ercole. After the visit to the archeological site, it was time to drive on. Our next stop was the town of Capalbio part of the club the most beautiful villages in Italy it is located on a lonely hilltop surrounded by forests and with a wonderful view of the sea just a few kilometers to the south. After parking the car just outside the walled town, we then walked up some stairs and followed the street that led to the top of the walls and around the houses. We then entered through the medieval gate, Porta Senese, reaching then the main and only church, San Nicola which featured some nice medieval and Renaissance frescoes inside. In front of it, on the highest point in town, was the Rocca Aldobrandesca, the town's castle from the early middle ages and later refurbished and belonging to the Aldobrandeschi family. From that point, we had a little stroll on the walls enjoying the nice view and then looked for a place to eat. We opted for Osteria Magenta 7 located on the southern part of the walls and where we had a great meal while enjoying the view towards the sea (I had pappardelle with boat ragout). After lunch, we got back in the car and drove on to the next town, Montalto di Castro. We had left Tuscany and were now in the Lazio region. Once there my dad decided to nap a little in the car while the rest of us had a little stroll through the town. We first passed by the imposing structure of the Castello Guglielmi, dating to the 15th century and later refurbished it dominates the eastern part of the old town. We then entered through the old southern city gate and strolled around having a peek inside the church of Santa Maria Assunta, with a baroque interior, and also the church of Santa Croce, neoclassical in style. Back in the car, after a short drive, we then reached the next stop of the day, the archeological site of Vulci. This ancient Etruscan city was once one of the largest and richest of that civilization and nowadays its site is incredibly vast and filled with ruins and tombs which have provided many objects of value from its excavations. After reaching the entrance to the archeological site we paid the entry ticket and then started visiting the area. The whole site was very large and there were three routes shown to visit it depending on the distance and time one wished to dedicate. My brother and I obviously took the longest route while my parents did the medium-length one. Following the main trail we then reached the ruins of the western city gate. Not far from it we then passed the Arch of Publius Sulpicius Mundus, erected probably between the 1st century B.C. and the 1st century A.D. The Etruscan city was in fact conquered by the Romans a couple of centuries earlier eventually becoming a Roman city. Further on we passed more ruins which included several buildings such as a temple, and some houses with cryptoporticus. From here our parents took another trail cutting through, while my brother and I took the longer route, following a well-preserved section of ancient Roman road that led us to the Fiora River. We followed in until we reached a small lake, the Lago del Pellicone. This lake set among a cliffy area is known as being the set of some famous Italian films such as Non ci resta che piangere and Tre uomini e una gamba. At that point, a short uphill path then led us back to the entrance. Once out we still had to see the Tomba della Sfinge, an interesting tomb built on a slight slope underground with three chambers. Around it there were some excavations taking place, partly revealing other tombs found in the area and hopefully viewable in the future. After the visit, we then saw Gianpaolo, my father's causing, and his wife Diana who had come to meet us there from their house in Tarquinia a few kilometers to the south. While they met with our parents in the restaurant nearby, my brother and I went on to visit the Archaeological Museum of Vulci located inside the nearby Castello dell'Abbadia. This 12th-century castle was built in a strategic location between the Papal States and the Grand Duchy of Tuscany guarding an incredible Etruscan and Roman bridge dating to the 3rd century B.C. 30m high above the Fiora river. Once at the castle, we visited the nice museum which held the artifacts and objects excavated from the Vulci archaeological sites, including many ancient Greek and Etruscan vases. After the visit to the museum, we admired the architecture of the castle from the outside and walked across the impressive bridge. Back at the restaurant we then met up with Gianpalo and Diana and talked for a while before then saying our goodbyes and driving on to our accommodation for the night. We reached the place, the Agriturismo La Collina, located in the countryside near the town of Pitigliano. Here we had a small yet nice room and then had dinner at the place.

The following morning, the day was cold and rainy so got up later and decided to go to one of the most popular places in the area: the Cascate del Mulino di Saturnia. Considered as one of the most beautiful free and open thermal baths in the country they consist of a series of little waterfalls flowing down from an old mill and forming limestone pools where people lay and enjoy the warm thermal spring water. The place was already quite full but as it was still off-season and quite cold not as much as usual. We got dropped off by our parents at the pools while they went on to a nearby town for a stroll. We enjoyed the nice warmth of the waters for a little while and then the sun even came out to shine. After managing to take a shower in the nearby facilities our parents came back to pick us up and then we drove to the nearby old village of Saturnia. We walked around the nice small main square sided by nice trees and then passed by the church fully refurbished in 1933 and by the Rocca Aldobrandesca, the castle built between the 12th and 15th century and now in private hands. Right in front of it, we admired the nice Porta Romana, a trace of Saturnia's ancient Roman past dating to the 2nd century B.C. with a well-preserved part of the ancient Via Clodia passing under it. For lunch, we then opted for a restaurant called L'Oste in Piazzza where I had ravioli with boar meat sauce. Next up we then drove to nearby Montemerano, part of the club of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Located on a hilltop, in a typical circular fashion, like most other towns in the area, it is surrounded by a set of walls, now mainly incorporated into the townhouses, erected starting from the 12th century. We walked through its pretty windy and narrow streets admiring the picturesque stone architecture embellished with plants and flowers. We walked through the main square, Piazza Castello, located at the town's highest point, and then by the closed churches of San Lorenzo and San Giorgio. We exited the town passing by the latter, and through the city gate with the same name and then drove on to reach the next town, Manciano. The architecture here was less picturesque and characteristic but the monuments and panorama were more impressive. We first came across a monumental fountain with the imposing castle in the background. Next to it was also a nice tree-lined terrace from where we had a splendid view of Monte Argentario and the sea in the distance. From that point we then walked through the old town, passing by the clock tower from the 15th century, the church of San Leonardo originally from the 15th century but completely rebuilt in 1932, and then reaching the castle, on the highest spot in town. Built in the 12th century by the ever-present Aldobrandeschi family it serves now as the town hall and grants an amazing view of the surrounding landscape, being able to spot the town of Montemerano not too far on a hilltop in the distance. Next to the castle, a building held the small Fiora Valley Museum of Prehistory and Protohistory with free entrance and with objects and findings taken from sites in the surrounding countryside. After the visit, it was time to head back to the car and drive on to our last destination for the day, the town of Sorano. Before reaching it we asked our parents to drop us off along the road as we wished to walk to the town from a panoramic point, while they went ahead directly into town. We got off at the start of the Via Cava di San Rocco, a suggestive path that runs in a trench between steep tuff cliffs. This type of path is known as a Via Cava, and is part of an evocative road network from Etruscan times connecting various settlements and necropolis. Before taking the path down the valley, we first climbed a rocky tuff edge from where we came upon an incredible sight of Sorano, situated at 379 m above sea level on a tufa cliff that, from the east, dominates a section of the course of the Lente River. From here we could see the mazelike skyscraper structure of the ancient city with the houses and buildings basically built on top of each other like a beehive. The view was incredible and it was just the two of us at this vantage point. Right next to it, we were then able to see the first small necropolis, with cave-like structures dug out of the tuff. We then followed the ancient Etruscan path winding its way, with twists and bends, down to the bottom of the gorge formed by the Lente River which creates a bend around Sorano. The way was really cool and without anyone around made us feel the atmosphere of how this road must have looked more than 2,000 years before. At the bottom of the gorge, we saw some more cave-like structures and eventually started our ascent to the old town of Sorano, right above us. We entered from the eastern side, passing through the tall and elegant Porta dei Merli, one of the old city gates. Once through we meandered through the picturesque maze-like alleyways of the old town, admiring the architecture and also passing through a section which was once the Jewish ghetto. Sorano in fact still preserves a large part of the Jewish ghetto, one of the largest and most populous in Tuscany, where there was also once more than one synagogue. A little further deeper into the old town we passed by the collegiate church of San Niccolò, with a mostly neoclassical aspect, and then climbed up to reach the Masso Leopoldino, a fortification overlooking the town from the north side. At its top, it features a clock tower and a large terrace from where we had a great view of the town and surrounding landscape. We just had gotten there in time as the terrace was soon closing, so we headed back down and met up with our parents. Back down through the alleyways we then reached the southern end of town from where we then followed a series of staircases and ramps that led us up to the Orsini Fortress, dominating the southern part of town opposite the Masso Leopoldino. The fortress was built in 1552 on the site of the ancient Aldobrandesque fortress and its huge structure is composed of several parts including the thick Renaissance outer walls, the fort-like main gate functioning as a tower, and the older structure of the former castle as the main keep. We were there just around sunset so we enjoyed the magical atmosphere and view for quite a bit. After a short drive, we were then back at our accommodation.

The next morning we woke up to a sunny day and decided to leave early to visit nearby Pitigliano trying to beat the crowds. We made the right decision and we got there when there were barely any visitors, eventually turning up later in the morning, but still not as bad as we had imagined. We started out by admiring the incredible structure of the old town from a terrace just outside the historic center. The town is in fact built on a tuff cliff extending westwards with deep ravines on all sides but the eastern one. The houses built over each other directly on the tuff gave the impression of a beehive. The quaint old town is also known as the little Jerusalem, for the historical presence of a Jewish community that has always been well integrated into the social context and that has its own synagogue. As we entered town we passed by the structure of the Medici aqueduct built in the 16th century from the project of Antonio da Sangallo the Younger. Right next to it, we passed by the imposing structure of the Palazzo Orsini, which was still closed and which I would come back to visit later. In front of it, the large Piazza della Repubblica opened up to grant views both towards the north and to the south, over the ravines. On the southern side, the elegant Fontana delle Sette Cannelle from the mid-16th century closes the square and part of the view. At that point, we had the option of following three streets which constitute the old town of Pitigliano all running parallel east to west, with the minor streets and alleways departing from them. We first took the central and largest one, eventually reaching a small opening among the tight and narrow buildings, where the Cathedral was located. Originally from the 13th century, it was heavily refurbished during the 18th century when it took its current baroque facade and interior. Only the bell tower dates from the original medieval period. After visiting the cathedral we continued on along the street and arrived at a point where the three streets met again at the church of San Rocco. Originally from the 12th century, it was remade in its current renaissance style during the 15th century and with a very nice interior. Heading back we then took the northern street, less crowded, but dark and with less important buildings. One last way we then took the third street, the southern one, where we then came across the 16th century Synagogye. Located inside what was once the Jewish neighborhood it is an example of the large and prosperous Jewish community that once inhabited Pitigliano. At that point, my parents and brother decided to attend mass in the cathedral while in the meantime I went back to the Palazzo Orsini to visit it. Once there, I bought the ticket and entered the building. It was built as a fortress for the Aldobrandeschi family and later refurbished and expanded at the bequest of Niccolò Orsini on the design of Antonio da Sangallo the Younger who turned it into a palace. The interior now holds the diocesan museum and the archaeological one. The palace was also refurbished during the 18th century under the Lorena family and its many rooms reflected both the Renaissance and the baroque/neoclassical additions. Among the many objects, furniture, and decorations, I particularly like the beautiful painted wooden Renaissance coffered ceilings of some of the rooms. After a thorough visit to the palace, I headed out and met up again with my parents and brother. As the city was getting crowdier, we decided to grab a sandwich from a local alimentari shop and just eat it on a bench in a sunny spot on a secluded small square away from the approaching crowds. After lunch, we then headed to the western end of the old town and from there headed down the ravine and through another of the famous Etruscan ways, the Via Cava di Poggio Cani. After walking through the impressive and tall walls of the tuff-cut trail, we ended up at the main street down the ravine. Our parents then decided to start the ascent towards the church of Madonna delle Grazie, while my brother and I continued down the road to yet another via cava, that of San Giuseppe. We followed it for a while until we reached the San Giuseppe necropolis, with the typical tombs cut inside the tuff. Retracing our steps we then tried to walk through the nearby via cava di Fratenuti, but found out it was inaccessible due to flooding. Thus we then moved onwards and decided to catch up to our parents who were already halfway up the via cava della Madonna delle Grazie. This was the toughest and it headed sharply uphill with tight turns and slippery floors. After a bit, we managed to reach the top where the church was located. From there we had another amazing view of the old town of Pitigliano on the tuff cliff. As it was a little bit of walking, we decided to leave our parents there and catch their breath while my brother and I headed back down the ravine and up to the town of Pitigliano to get the car and pick our parents up. Once together we then drove to the nearby open-air Alberto Manzi Archaeological Museum. We found it closed but I nevertheless managed to find a gap in the fence which allowed me to explore the area. The museum consists of yet another via cava plus a whole necropolis. I headed quickly down the Etruscan way, risking slipping on the slippery floor a few times. Once down the ravine I then explore the large necropolis, split up into different sections with interesting tombs, some of which are unexplored and still underground or flooded. After heading back up the way I came I got back in the car and we then drove on to our next destination. The weather had turned cloudy and a few drops of rain had started falling. After some driving through the hills, we then reached the small town of Sovana. Part of the club of the most beautiful villages in Italy it features a typical tuff medieval architecture. As we got there the sun started shining once again, and as it was much smaller than the other towns we visited and quite known still, it was a little crowded. We started out from the eastern end, where the partly ruined castle, the Rocca Aldobrandesca, is set. We then followed the main and only street, heading westwards past picturesque tuff houses and stopping by the birthhouse of Pope Gregory VII. A little onwards we reached what is the main square of the town where there were the main monuments, such as the 12th century Palazzo Comunale with the town clock, the Palazzo Pretorio also from the 12th century, and the medieval Loggia del Capitano. On the southern side of the square was the church of Santa Maria Maggiore which we then visited. Romanesque in style it features some frescoes from the 16th century and a 9th-century ciborium in the apse a rarity in Tuscany. Continuing on westwards we reached the end of town where the Duomo is set, the religious center quite detached from the civil one in town. The main entrance to the cathedral is located on the northern side, right next to a beautiful Romanesque portal rich in elegant sculptural decorations. Entrance required a ticket, and after paying we entered the building which is said to have originated in the 8th or 9th centuries. The current Romanesque style is from the reconstructions and refurbishments which took place well into the 13th century. Once inside we marveled at the beautiful architecture, including sculpted pillar capitals, a baptismal font from 1434, and the old crypt below ground level. The ciborium, which has been relocated in the church of Santa Maria Maggiore was originally located in the apse of the cathedral. After visiting the church, we went out and coincidentally met some friends of ours from Vicenza. After a bit of talking, we headed back to the car and drove to the nearby Parco Archeologico Città del Tufo. My parents decided to wait for us in the car while my brother and I bought the tickets to visit the archaeological park. This consisted of a necropolis with a series of Etruscan tombs as well as another via cava. We started out by walking uphill to the tuff cliff where we then visited a series of small tombs, moving then on to the main ones. One of them was the Tomba Ildebranda, dating to the 3rd century B:C. like the other tombs, in the form of a monumental temple with a six-column portico resting on a podium with two side staircases; the burial chamber, is reached through a long central downhill corridor. After the impressive tombs, we walked up the via cava del Cavone, one of the Etruscan paths with the highest side walls we had ever seen. From there we then headed out of the site and to the other side of the road where we then reached another necropolis. Here we saw some more small tombs as well as the impressive Tomba della Sirena, a tomb entirely excavated in tuff with a facade that reproduces a false door, inside which is carved the image of the deceased, and the door is guarded on either side by two demons, Charun on the left and Vanth on the right. From here we then walked yet another ancient Etruscan way, the via cava di San Sebastiano which featured various apotropaic signs engraved on the rock to ward off evil spirits, as well as a little medieval chapel on the higher part of the cliff and reached by a stair dug out in the tuff. We then headed back to our parents and in the car to drive back to Pitigliano, in order to see the view of the old town by night and then have dinner at our accommodation for the last evening in the area.

The next morning, Easter Monday, we left the accommodation and started our return home. Along the way, we decided to visit a couple of places in order to still take advantage of the day off. Along the road, we stopped at a panoramic spot to enjoy the view of the beautiful hills of the Val di Paglia which we had walked through many years before along the Via Francigena. We also saw the town of Radicofani, perched on a hilltop to dominate the area. Our aim then was the town of Pienza in Val d'Orcia. As we approached we admired the picturesque old town developed by Pope Pius II in the 15th century on a hilltop dominating the idyllic Tuscan landscape. However, as we approached the city center we found out our error. The town was packed, we drove round and round trying to find a parking spot without avail. As I had never been there, my dad was able to temporarily park the car on the curbside while I hastily visited the town. I passed by the main monuments, without having much time to see or appreciate them well. I saw the church of San Francesco, Gothic in style and from the 14th century, and then the nearby Duomo in pure Renaissance style. Nearby, on the other side of the square, was the elegant Palazzo Comunale, and nearby two other main and important palaces, the majestic Palazzo Piccolomini and the Palazzo Vescovile. I then walked over to a panoramic spot that was completely full of people but granted a rather incredible view of the surrounding landscape; no wonder the crowds. After a power walk through the rest of town, I rejoined the others in the car and we drove off, leaving the messy crowds behind us. A completely different feeling and ambiance was the next town we stopped at, Torrita di Siena. Not as majestic and famous as Pienza, it was nevertheless a nice quaint old town with walls surrounding the old town and some buildings of note. There was literally no one around, and most shops and restaurants were closed. We entered through the western gate, Porta Nova, and then reached the main square where the small gothic church of Sante Flora e Lucilla and the town hall with the clock tower are set. A little further on we then passed and visited the churches of the Santissima Annunziata and Santi Martino e Costanzo, the former in a baroque style while the latter in a neoclassical style. We then exited the old town through the eastern gate, Porta Gavina, and reached the restaurant Piccolo where we had lunch. On our way back to the car we then visited yet another church, the Oratorio della Madonna delle Nevi, with some beautiful 16th-century frescoes depicting the Annunciation and other scenes. Before heading onto the highway we decided to stop just outside town, on the hills to the north, where, surrounded by olive trees, we had a beautiful panorama of the old town surrounded by walls. After a few hours' drive, we were back in Veneto and we decided for one last stop before reaching home. We stopped in the town of Fratta Polesine. where, after parking the car we proceeded to visit the main monument in town, the Villa Badoer. The villa is inscribed in the Unesco World Heritage List as it was designed in 1556 by Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio on the commission of Venetian nobleman Francesco Badoer. It is the first villa in which the architect fully utilized a pronaos with a pediment on the façade of a villa. The interior, though quite small and uninteresting compared to the exterior, featured frescoes depicting mythological and allegorical themes along with grotesques, niches, festoons, figurines, herbage, and fruit. After the visit to the villa, we then had a short walk around it, admiring the nearby Villa Molin - Avezzù, also dating to the 16th century but now not publicly accessible. It was then time to get back in the car and conclude our trip with the drive back home to Vicenza.