Wednesday is Market Day in Castiglione del Lago. This beautiful ancient fortress-city is perched on a peninsula in the southwest corner of the lake. Like most open-air markets in Italy, you can buy food, clothing, flowers, wine, household goods, you name it. On the way home, we stop at Il Mercatino Usato to browse the used furniture and antiques. Michele saw a lovely dresser there last year; maybe the price has come down? We will be packing a picnic lunch tomorrow for our friends, so we stop at the Conad market in Pinetta before returning home.

In the afternoon we pay a visit to Antico Sipario, just across the street from us. This is a fantastic boutique hotel, managed by the team of Claudio, Martina and Dario. Their monthly themed dinners in the summer are fabulous and great fun!

Then we walk down the hill to Bar Boldrini (aka Franco’s), the “other” bar in town, outside the wall, with a great view of the lake. This is our second-favorite spot for people-watching. Dinner tonight is at La Loggetta, on the patio. Al fresco dining at its best.

Our friends Ben, Mary, Roy, and Cheryl have “been in” Rome since Monday, and will be joining us tomorrow. A presto, amici!