I thought a blog would be a good way to "take friends and family to Italy with me" when I visit Umbria and the Amalfi coast this fall. It has been a while since I have done a blog, so there will be some catching up I need to do before making this work. That's why I'm starting a few months early.
Yesterday I found a great book called "Umbria" by Patricia Clough, a former correspondent for "The Times" in London, who bought a home in Umbria. I'm 1/3 through it, and it is perfect for my needs to get a grounding in the history of Umbria, and to find out more about Umbria today. I also bought "1001 Italian Phrases" so I can have a little Italian in my verbal arsenal.
I'm working with Untours [www.untours.com} to organize my trip. So far, I have secured two one-week apartment rentals. One is in Beroide di Spoleto (Umbria) on a farm growing olives, vegetables and grain. They have their own mill and bakery nearby. The Amalfi apartment overlooks the port, and is in the middle of town on the bus line. Getting around should be easy. In Umbria I will have a rental car, but that's impractical in Amalfi due to the terrible parking problems there. A bus pass is the perfect solution, and that's what I'll have.
Bobbie and I have done Untours in Italy and the south of France in the past, and we love them. They supply the living space and the transportation, and have a local person nearby to give initial orientation and provide a book with many day trips outlined. After that, you are on your own, unless you have a problem and need assistance from their local person.
I'll keep posting as things develop. Now I need to find out how to manage the blog and share it with friends.
