After the rather overcast conditions of the previous day it was great to wake up to sunny skies and higher temperatures.
Pay our bill, thank our kind hosts, Sonia and Alessio, for the previous day's gifts of sparkling wine, torta and antipasto, and then take some time out to relax by the pool before our journey north-west to Toscana.
Do not leave until close to 1.00 and take motorway in to Ascoli Piceno, road then takes us through numerous gorges to Arquata Del Tronto. We had already decided to take the more daunting road across the Sibillini mountains to Visso rather than the easier route to Norcia so shortly after leaving ADT we turn north towards Castelluccio.
By this stage the weather had taken a real turn for the worse and by Castelluccio the temperature had dropped from 26 to 9.5 degrees. To say that the road over the mountains was spectacular would be an understatement and yours truly stayed VERY focussed on the road, leaving Gail to point out the various views. Shortly before Castelluccio we arrived at the amazing Piano Grande, a high altitude plain at 1500 metres, which attracts a surprisingly high number of tourists to its horse-riding ranch. Not at all what one would expect in Italy and Le Marche continues to surprise us.
After the Passo del Gualdo at 1596 metres we take the long descent along the River Nera to the town of Visso, passing on the way Castelsantangelo with the most amazing fortress located on a hill above the town.
We then entered the area called the Valnerina, on the Umbrian side of the Monti Sibillini. This beautiful, lush valley presents such a sharp contrast to the harsh mountain regions to the east.
Finally, down on the plains we head for the Festival town of Spoleto and eventually we arrive at Agriturismo Casiano Piccolo under the walls of Montefalco, the so-called Balcone dell'Umbria.
Lovely meal at restaurant and early to bed after very taxing drive.
Le Marche has far exceeded our expectations, with some remarkable, wild scenery,friendly people and lack of tourists. It's now off to the more tourist-laden Toscana for a week of revelry with the Fullers and the BADWACAS clan.
The Obese Ferret
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