Cappucino In A Bowl and Medieval Dreams - Tocca da Casauria to Santa Stefano di Sessanio.

​Our stay at the agriturismo exceeded expectations.  Our hosts were wonderful and we said goodbye ready to start the days adventure.  Of special note when breakfast was served. She brought me a cappucino literally in a soup bowl.  Since mine was the first one out, we thought maybe it was to be shared communally but there were no cups for me to pour into for everyone else.  So maybe we would pass it around… hmmm.  Mystery solved when everyone receives their own bowl of coffee!


Our charming hosts with their sweet pup.  


So the day was another beauty. We have been so lucky with weather. We had some riding through some rural countryside as always but today we had a little bit of riding through an industrial zone for a short time.  We rode through Capestrano which was a lively town.  I was thrilled to see the statue of the 6th century bc Picene Warrior.  It was dug up by a farmer here in 1934 or thereabouts. 





Then we have some serious climbing ahead of us. About 15 k of steady switchbacks to get to the highest castle in Abruzzo at Rocca Calascio.  It was long with some steep pitches but there was the occasional cool breeze which helped. 


Then finally at the castle of Rocca Calascio. 



Then from the castle we ride the final few kilometers to Santo Stefano di Sessanio.  This town was given a rebirth as a Swiss multimillionaire fell in love with it and started a restoration project.  He owns 33 percent of the town and has turned it into a hotel with rooms being in various restored homes all over the small town.  This wouldn’t have been our first choice for lodging as it would fall into the luxury category with pricing accordingly.  However a few days ago when we were booking this was the only place in town that still had rooms.  So here we are in a room that has been restored to be in keeping with the medieval time in which it was built.  It really is amazing. The rooms are dimly lit with candles burning.  Floors and furniture are original but nicely restored.  There are a few luxury items added such as that amazing bathtub.  So we have had a few chuckles about their concept of honoring the medieval character but doing it so rich foreigners don’t feel any discomfort.  They have saved this town from being another abandoned earthquake damaged town but it really isn’t my cup of tea for how I want to travel.  The soak in the hot tub was really something though…..


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