I’ve been fortunate to have some fantastic birthday celebrations: in Salzburg with John Bateman, in Creede with Ava, Jason, Isaac, Lennon, Matt and Johamy, and over the years with Randy and Patrick, John and with family. This year I turn 65 in Santa Maria degli Angeli, adjacent to Assisi, Italy, at the romantic, gorgeous and indulgent Santa Maria degli Ancillotti (santamariadegliancillotti.com).
The retreat sits high on a hill where sunsets cast a yellow glow on the surrounding mountains
And mornings are cool and bright against the Umbrian stone
There are olive trees, gardens, a pool and host dogs.
The Villa family that has owned and run the hotel for 35 years are the most gracious hosts.
Gourmet breakfasts and dinners are served in the dining room. Sagrantino Montefalco wines are a must at dinner and lunch.
Our first road trip adventure was to Fonti del Clitunno, a natural springs that has been revered since Roman times and that has inspired many poets and painters.
Clitumnus
By Lord Byron
But thou, Clitumnus! in thy sweetest wave
Of the most living crystal that was e'er
The haunt of river nymph, to gaze and lave
Her limbs where nothing hid them, thou dost rear
Thy grassy banks whereon the milk-white steer
Grazes; the purest god of gentle waters!
And most serene of aspect, and most clear;
Surely that stream was unprofaned by slaughters, — A mirror and a bath for Beauty's youngest daughters!
And on thy happy shore a temple still,
Of small and delicate proportion, keeps,
Upon a mild declivity of hill,
Its memory of thee; beneath it sweeps
Thy current's calmness; oft from out it leaps
The finny darter with the glittering scales,
Who dwells and revels in thy glassy deeps;
While, chance, some scattered water-lily sails
Down where the shallower wave still tells its bubbling
tales.
Indeed, the clear waters and the unusual vegetation below create a place of stunning beauty, much like a Monet painting.
A view of Trevi from the road below, as we headed next to Spello.
Another ancient walled city, Spello is called the city of flowers. It is immaculately cared for by residents who are clearly very proud of their homes and gardens.
Church of Saint Andrea.
Beauty at every corner
Another very happy birthday for me. 😊
