It’s another beautiful day in Paciano! The church bells remind us that it’s almost time for Mass. The church sits just outside the lower gait and is always welcoming to visitors. It’s a challenge to not be distracted by the thought of the fresh baked delights that await us at Lo Scoiattolo. Lia and her husband Fausto have opened their home and installed a bread oven and sell some of the best breads and pastries and a variety of beverages. The setting is literally like being at home, sitting on the patio overlooking the valley, surrounded by good conversation and laughter. We take some goodies and breads to go and we are ready for a leisurely day in Isola Maggiore, on Lago Trasimeno. We drive to Castiglione del Lago and hop the ferry to Maggiore. We enjoy a beautiful picnic, take a lovely hike and just soak in some of the serenity of this island of approximately 35 inhabitants and centuries of history. We catch the ferry back and spend some time exploring Castiglione del Lago, shop a bit and do a bit of wine tasting.

A leisurely drive home, a nap perhaps, and then off to Panicale for the sunset and an amazing dinner at Simone and Lorena’s restaurant – Osteria il Gallo nel Pozzo in Panicale. Simone is from Panicale and Chef Lorena (his wife) is from Sicily. The menu is a wonderful mix of Umbrian and Sicilian cuisine, and the wine list is first class. The atmosphere is warm and friendly. This is one of our favorite fine restaurants anywhere.