How about a relaxing day on the farm, just laying out by the pool, surrounded by vineyards high in the Tuscan hills. Now that’s all well and good but you can’t do that everyday, there’s work to be done. Our first day of visiting hill towns was upon us and maybe we were a little bit too ambitious as we managed to visit Assisi, Montefalco, Spoleto, and Todi. Assisi was an amazing stop with the Basilica of St. Francis dominating the town. This town is all about St. Francis, probably Christianity's most popular saint. For many this town is a sort of religious pilgrimage, and it’s one of the most beautiful hill towns we have discovered.
Next was Montefalco, which like several other hill towns is known for one thing…wine. Montefalco wines are made with the Sagrantino grape and come in dry or sweet. We had fun sampling (and buying) our favorites. After our tasting, the kids headed across the main square for there own tasting, of the local gelato. 
Spoleto was on our radar for one important monument; the Ponte Delle Torri. This aqueduct was built sometime around the 14th century to supply water to villages further away from the spring. When the deep valley got in the way they simply built this little 230 foot high aqueduct which still stands strong today.
Todi was the final stop for a well-earned dinner after a long day of exploring. Most towns don’t allow cars in the city center unless you’re a resident. Others don’t allow any at all. Todi however, let us drive right in which is an experience that’s hard to explain. These hill towns are literally built up on steep hills and cliffs and constructed well before the invention of cars. So as you drive around the tightest of corners you never know what challenge lies ahead. We’ve seen entire lines of traffic back out of the town center because the lead car simply couldn’t fit and there are no other options. We’ve never been to Todi and there was something special about turning the corner and finding yourself driving through the middle of a 1000 year old town square. (The kids liked it because it meant less walking) After finding a parking spot, we found a nice little outdoor restaurant, set on a cliff, overlooking the countryside we had just conquered below.
