GK Tours 2025. Wednesday 18th June.
Bolsena, Todi and Marmore, Italy
I was awake early this morning, so I took Meg for a stroll around the Lake while it was still cool enough.
It’s difficult when you are parked in a carpark, you can’t get your chairs out and there were no benches close by to chill out on.
So after Meg had had her breakfast I decided to go in search of bread and croissants. Meg didn’t want to come with me this time, so I set off on my own little exploration.
Bolsena is a pretty little old town with a castle and fortifications. Crossing into the old town, i walked down the cobbled streets, saying good morning to the Italian ladies catching up on gossip in the cool of the shade, and headed up to the castle.
Flipping heck, it was a steep climb! Thank goodness it was still early, i couldn’t imagine doing that climb in the middle of the day at 30+ degrees 
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Such a lovely place, mainly pedestrianised as the lanes are mostly stepped, so vehicles would have a hard job negotiating them 
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There was a labyrinth of cute little alleyways and tunnels, but I didn’t get lost 
, finding my way to the Basilica and the old city gateways.
I also spotted the artisan bakers, buying jam turnovers, croissants and bread rolls.
Back at the van, Gareth was ready to set off, so we were off again.
Our destination today was Todi. Another medieval hilltop town in Umbria. There’s a dedicated camperstop just at the bottom of the funicular railway. Thank goodness for small mercies, I’m not sure we would have made the climb today. We took a reluctant Meg on the funicular – there is a minibus but the funicular was quicker.
Todi is lovely, everything you would expect to find in an old town, some of the buildings were very tall and well-tended with the Cathedral and its gorgeous rose window dominating the main square. There are also ruins of a Roman Forum, wells and subterranean tunnels.
We had a drink in Garibaldi Square, with a beautiful view of the main Popolo Square in front of us.
Sadly, traffic is allowed through this area with prized parking spots causing congestion and unnecessary noise – goodness, I think the heat is certainly enhancing our grumpy sides 
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The views over the Umbrian hills are amazing from the town and in the distance we spotted a domed roof.
On our way out of town we discovered what it was attached to. A beautiful Basilica, sat all on its lonesome outside of the city walls, google pictures from the air show it is built in the shape of a greek cross. Its a very powerful site as you drive towards it.
So, onwards we drove, further into Umbria and headed for a waterfall Gareth had read about near Marmone.
There are pictures near the waterfall showing it in full stream during the 18th century. In recent times, the water has been held for hydroelectricity, but twice a day, at regular times, the water is released and returns to its former glory.
It’s an amazing view and the spray is very much appreciated on hot days 
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They also have a dedicated camperstop here – some places just have it right, €15 to stay the night with all services and electric included.
Meg was allowed in and was free, which was good as adult entry to the waterfalls is €12 each. Ouch!
To be honest it was worth every penny just to sit in the cool spray 
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So, we finally stopped after a very busy day; hid under a tree until the sun went down; raced into the van a couple of times because of thunderstorms bringing huge spats of rain, and are now basking on the cool 22° heat of the evening 
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