11th June 2012

After a great nights sleep we were up and packed for an 8.30 departure. Not so many miles to cover today. A little delayed due to the attention that was needed to the new set of matching mozzy bites we had acquired over night..Grrrrr!    It had rained quite heavily so we thought it a good idea to wear waterproofs if only that it would keep us clean with all the spray on the roads.

As we left Firenze and headed up into the mountains we were aware of just how dark it was becoming, and sure enough within 10 minutes we were riding through the torrential rain.  An hour later when we decided to stop for a late brekkie the sun had come out and the temperature had risen from 9 degrees to 26.     Phew -  time to shed a layer!

They have a the most amazing eats in the motorway cafés, so each time we try something different. Today’s was a kind of very thin pita bread with ham and mozzarella which is melted on a griddle, gooey and soooo yummy, and yet more excellent coffee of course.

Our destination today was the medieval hilltop walled city of Urbino, and it was wonderful to leave the motorway at last and head into the hills where we were treated to miles of spectacular views.

On our arrival at the hotel (which this time was within walking distance of the old city) we were greeted like royalty, and immediately given an upgrade to a superior room with amazing views over the valley, free internet, then after unpacking we were offered a ‘Welcome drink’ so we settled for a cooling drink, very similar to Pimms, and finally offered a 10% discount on booking dinner - we certainly like this Hotel!

It may be worth mentioning that tomorrow we were off to visit the local hangout of Valentino Rossi (to those of you not into MotoGP he is a 9 times World Champion and born in Urbino) and the whole point of Steve wanting to come to Italy.

In the meanwhile we spent the afternoon wandering around the old city which was stunning and happily devoid of people.

There were just so many narrow winding streets that all seem to open out onto beautiful piazzas, where we frequently sought a bracing glass of vino before continuing our explorations. The Cathedral was particularly beautiful, bright and cool - unlike the usual dark  ‘over gilded” churches we had seen in the past.

Eventually we succumbed to the call of our evening rituals where a refreshing drink, food and crashing out were duly observed.. Rossi tomorrow!!