Comparing these photos from yesterday afternoon’s arrival.
Car heavy and the usual commercial centre..
With our experiences on our “ free day”…total contrast
But first it is worth capturing a little of a memorable meal had yesterday evening at our host’s Ristorante
It is set in the cloister of an old convent – La Chimera
A corner of what was the cloisterA model of Our Lady of Lourdes at the end of the restaurant corridor recalling its origins.My BBQ mixed grill.
During our meal an accordionist appeared and walked along playing ( to me ) unrecognisable tunes. He stopped at the next table and began playing “ Happy Birthday to You” – inevitably we joined in to much apppause – the young lady who was celebrating her 25 th birthday came round with a bottle of Prosecco .
25 today,25 today! What a smile.
Thursday morning, No rush, no alarm,no packing- it’s a free day and what better place in Tuscia to be than Viterbo? Free means doing your own thing so three of us set off, after a leisurely breakfast, to find the tourist office on one of the main squares. We arrived to find it was closed and “ moving premises”. Undaunted ,we easily found our first destination close by with the unexpected help of two lifts
We bought our discounted tickets by showing our Pilgrim Passports for entry to the Museum, the Cathedral and the Papal Palace, complete with headset .The Cathedral – notice how deserted the square is and it was to be like that during our self- guided tour.The Papal PalaceAn embossed doorway.I’ve included this plaque for Rob, our multi linguist and devotee of Spaghetti Carbonara!
After three tours we were ready for a break and followed this street.A quiet PiazzaAn Americano and ginger beer – you should try it .Vista We made our way to,the Medieval Quarter.Lots of these alleyways off this street
Some attractive shops
Moving on under archwaysArtist at workFloral stepsMaking our way to a green areaIn the shadeThis place translated as a resort.We walked on above it along the roadFour TowersUn appezzamento di terreno – an allotment- what a setting We decided we needed some lunch at this point.Passing another Marian GrottoA great Porchetta Panini purchased from hereA fountain dominated the piazza where we had our lunch stop in the shade.Walking towards our hotel.We entered the Pilgrims’ office and the device above had been used in 2024 to transport a disabled Pelegrina with a team of four in assistance.- quite some effort I should think.Tomorrow we have choice of two routes out of Viterbo to Vetrella – we shall take the route recommended in the Guide Book which happily happens to be 5 KM shorter.
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Grazie mille!