In view of weather predictions we decide to head south. Arrive in Urbino a beautiful hill town in the heart of the Le Marche. The town is a real gem. All the hilly beauty, cobbled streets and great buildings without the crowds of tourists. Staying two night at the Hotel Bonconte which is right on the walls of the old town. A chance to recuperate after the rain.
Walking around the town is a delight. Around every corner a statue or a courtyard. Heading up the main street, around a corner and, pow, uplifted by the mass of the Cathedral do Urbino. An unadorned building relying on it’s size, proportions and austere whiteness for impact.
Visit the Galleria Nazionale delle Marche in the Palazia Ducale. Spent two and a half hours wandering around almost on our own. Beautiful arts works yes, but the greatest interest for us was the 15th century building itself. Again scale and proportion the key. But the very best area were the basement rooms which showed how the building was engineered to work as a place of work and residence. Drains, wells, ice rooms and kitchens. Well worth the admission.
Urbino has great restaurants. We ate very well. Oh yes we did.
And you can’t get away from the mundane. We at last did our laundry.
Ro10 will be a sweeter place for a few days.