February 20, Assisi, Italy, John
We left Vasto by 9am with a 260-mile drive ahead of us as we were due in Siena by evening. It happened that Assisi was well placed for a late lunch stop and about 2/3 of the way to our destination. Assisi is the site of the Basilica honoring Saint Francis and a beautiful small medieval village spoiled by endless souvenir shops. We toured the Basilica and bought a Saint Francis with adoring animals for my grandson. I thought the story of a man who loved animals and children would be appealing even if Sainthood did not register with his tender years.
The Basilica was moving and impressive. We had an unexpectedly good lunch in a restaurant overlooking the piazza in front of the Basilica and then took our leave to make a pre-nightfall arrival in Siena.