Umbra students enjoyed a day trip this Sunday to Assisi, the home of San Francesco and just a short 20 minute bus ride away from Perugia. Students were guided around the city by professional tour guide and native Umbrian, Marco Bellanca. The visit included a very colorful description of St Francis’ life and times as well as a visit to the upper and lower parts of the Basilica di San Francesco.

After visiting the site of many pilgrimages, Marco led the students through the lesser-known streets of Assisi before arriving in the main piazza, Piazza del Comune with architecture that dates back 2,200 years. A short stop at the Church of Saint Clare topped off the tour but the day wasn’t finished yet.

Students then heading to Ristorante Carafagna in the Valley of Assisi for a multi-course meal of local Umbrian specialties. Italian antipasti, ravioli with truffles, strangozzi with vegetables, grilled chicken, pork, beef and pheasant preceeded the Italian dessert millefoglie and a sampling of Italian liquors.

In photo: Students pose with tour guide, Marco Bellanca (top left).
The Basilica di San Francesco (bottom right).