Tag Archives: Renting a car in Italy

A New Fiat in the Family

3 Jun

Check out our new car…a Fiat 500 L, (cinque cento)

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Nice interiorIMG_0615

Comfortable room for four

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Lift-gate hidden cargo area

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Well, it is new, and it is ours…if only for four weeks.

We took the car for a ride today, off to get coffee and find the sun. And that we did. After driving some winding roads, we headed toward Montalcino to find Avignonesi, a winery we learned of from our friend Patricia. We’ve tried some of their wines and like them a lot, so off we went.

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From their website:

The winery is named after the Avignonesi family, the founders of the original estate. Constant research and development aimed at expressing the true character of the Montepulciano terroir has, over time, earned the winery a well-deserved place among the flagship producers of Tuscany. http://www.avignonesi.it

As is true throughout Tuscany, it is impossible to photograph or paint the magnificence and simplicity of the rolling hills.

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Avignonesi has a lovely tasting room, and offers tours, lunches and culinary classes. And the customer service is wonderful.

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After purchasing some wine, we headed toward the relatively quiet town of Castiglione del Lago, which sits above Lake Trasimeno.

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In 217 BC, however, the areas was anything but quiet as Hannibal and the Carthaginians defeated the Romans in one of the most successful ambushes in military history. But today, one lone sailboat.

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The lovely town above the lake offers local products, dining, and some great old architecture to locals and visitors alike.

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Another day filled with sunshine, until we returned to Cortona storms, but no matter, we enjoyed the day, the sun and the Fiat, which handled the curves, hills and AC quite well. Perhaps this is my next car, Mike? Could be a great city car!

Ciao,

Judy

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