Sidetrip to Assisi
Umbra students hailing from St. Bonaventure University, the Center for International Studies, the University of Massachusetts, the University of Scranton, the University of Richmond, and the University of Roanoke were all invited for a daytrip to Assisi this past Sunday. Local tour guide Marco Bellanca led an especially detailed walk around Assisi, and didhis best to convince us that behind the heavy fog there really are spectacular views out across the valley. Students learned about the importance of the original frescoes in the Basilica of St. Clare to Renaissance art history, and crossed into the breathtaking sanctuary at the Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi. After everyone had a chance to pick up souveniers for the nonne a casa — grandmothers back at home — as Marco had suggested, students left the center of Assisi and took a short ride down into the valley to the Agriturismo La Carfagna for lunch.Despite our late arrival, the family was ready with a full course meal Umbrian meal. All returned back to Perugia that afternoon with full stomachs and ready for a long nap before elective classes began Monday morning.