Charlotte, NC to Orvieto, Italy

At Christmas last year, we were blown away to find that Pops and NanNan had gifted the family a trip to Italy. They had booked a villa in Umbria and were treating flights as well. I was speechless! Not to mentioned excited. It had been 24 years since I’d been to Italy and couldn’t wait to reexplore the country and find new discoveries. This time with my wife and kids. I know they’re only 11, but I hope they understand the significance of everything we see. So, we made our flight arrangements, booked a car, and waited 6 months before our first family trip overseas. (Australia I don’t count, because that’s just seeing family and friends).

The flight, while relatively smooth, just seemed to take forever. After leaving Charlotte in the afternoon, it was hard for any of us to get comfortable on the flight. And sleep seemed near impossible. It hit the boys the hardest. They just can’t take being awake for that long, and we paid for it as they were sick on the plane, off the plane, in passport control, at baggage. You couldn’t help feel bad for them, because they were being such troopers.

We landed early in Rome and through the heat of the airport made our way to the Sixt Car Rental to pick up our Jeep Renegade for the next 2 weeks. Like any new car, I had to work out what was where and get comfortable driving (all in a foreign country). We made a pit stop early to pick up some food, water and Sprite. Not long after that L fell asleep, while B relaxed but couldn’t fall asleep. It made for a relatively uneventful 90 minutes getting to Orvieto. Except for when we hit the toll – when we didn’t know if we had to pay then, or how much for that matter. Turns out you get a ticket to get on the A1 and pay when you get off (€14). When we exited the freeway at Orvieto we had to make the 6 mile drive up the small road to get to our home for the next couple of weeks – Podere Loliondo.

Savario and Francesca are our hosts, and the property’s owners, and they greeted us upon arrival, as the others we at the grocery store down the hill. Pops, NanNan and Uncle Drew had arrived the day before, so all we had to do was unload the car when we got there close to midday.

Podere Loliondo, Orvieto, Italy

Podere Loliondo, Orvieto, Italy

Podere Loliondo, Side Patio, Orvieto, Italy

Podere Loliondo, Orvieto, Italy

Podere Loliondo, The Pool, Orvieto, Italy

We were exhausted. I felt a migraine coming on, so I sought refuge in our bedroom for a nap. I was soon joined by L, but woke up hours later next to A.

It’s hot here. It has been since we stepped off the plane. Fortunately, we have a pool to ourselves at the house and it was well used by all in the late afternoon.

I am overwhelmed by how beautiful this place is. 5 bedrooms and a pool, on an olive farm, on a hill 6 miles east of Orvieto. There is a spectacular view of the Umbrian countryside as well as a straight view back to Orvieto, where the Duomo dominates the skyline.

We met the owner’s son, Francesco, who helped as get the open fire grill started as we had pork chops and salad for a relatively late dinner. It was a long day and the 4 of us didn’t stay up much after dinner. Jet lag kicked in and, thankfully, we all got a relatively good night’s sleep.

Uncle Drew, L, B, D, M, Pops & NanNan, Podere Loliondo, Orvieto, Italy