#BellaBabes Go To Italy ~ Part Three ~ Assisi

Today’s post is the final wrap-up of the FAB 8 day trip I recently took to Italy with my girls, Shauna from Chico Over 50 and SheShe from SheSheShow.  If you read Part 1 and Part 2 of our latest travel adventures, then you saw that we spent 1 day in Rome and then 4 days in Florence before heading to Assisi Italy and we were heading there for a very specific reason.  Keep reading … it’s about to get GOOOOOD!

Ok, so firstly, we had a private driver pick us up from Piazza della Signoria Boutique Hotel in Florence and drive us to the OH MY GOODNESS and OH SO ENCHANTING NUN Assisi Relais & SPA Museum. 

The Nun Relais is actually a restored Santa Caterina Monastery, built in 1275, and is located right in the heart of Umbria.  The original roman marks are prominently highlighted within the minimalist and contemporary style of the hotel … and everything about it is 5 star!

We stayed in Suite No. 7 and it had two beds on the lower level and a larger bed upstairs, along with a fab bathroom. 

And although this was the first time we all actually roomed together on this trip, there was plenty of room for us to all do our own thing and the hotel totally accommodated our “fashionista” requests for additional mirrors and hairdryers. THIS HOTEL IS DIVINE  —- learn everything you’ve ever wanted to know about it HERE.

We literally just had minutes to drop off our luggage before we were escorted off to Antonelli San Marco ~ THE organic winemakers in Montefalco. 

We had a lovely tour of their winery and wine cellar, which is located in the heart of the estate under the manor house, and we learned that their wines are made exclusively from the estate’s organically grown grapes … and also that they produce super yummy olive oil.

We were then treated to bruschetta dripped in their extra virgin olive oil, pecorini cheese with Sagrantino jam, local salamis, focaccia with rosemary sauce and the main dish ~ seasonal farro pasta. OH, and of course, their wine!

After stuffing ourselves we did attempt to get in a little bit of exercise ….

… before this happened. 

Shauna and I were actually right behind SheShe with the sleepy nap, it’s just that no one captured a picture of the two of us.  *** BTW, I highly recommend a tour and cooking lesson at Antonelli San Marco.  Learn more about them HERE and be sure to ask for Wendy.  She’s awesome and speaks english. 

After lunch and naps, we had an amazing dinner at EAT Restaurant where the flavors and platings were outstanding!

And now … NOW on to the REAL REASON we went to Italy in the first place.  The next day we were all giggly and excited because, thanks to SheShe and all her SheShe magic, the 3 of us were treated to a private tour of the Brunello Cucinelli estate/headquarters located in beautiful Solomeo!

Couture and luxury designer, Brunello Cucinelli grew up by humble means in a home that had no electricity or running water.  He watched his father come home everyday exhausted as a laborer and he knew that he wanted a better life for himself. He had an attraction to textiles and as a young adult he was the first to dye cashmere … which then lead to producing cashmere sweaters in bright colors … and then ultimately to the creation of his own brand, Brunello Cucinelli ~ the epitome of Italian luxe.

We toured the facility and met with many of the tailors …

…. we learned about Brunello Cucinelli quality control process, viewed story-boards from past collections and had lunch in the employee cafeteria. At the headquarters, every employee is provided a farm-to-table meal for lunch.  Let’s just say it was totally delish.

After lunch we rode around on company bicycles …

… said Goodbye to all of our new Cucinelli friends AND shopped ’til we dropped at the company store where items could be purchased at a discount!  Boom. 

This was such a wonderful experience and I’m SO thankful to have shared it with my dear Shauna and SheShe.  The Brunello Cucinelli story is fascinating and he is extremely philanthropic.  Learn more about how amazing he is HERE. 

After this incredible day, we returned to NUN Assisi to relax for a bit before venturing out to Assisi itself. Best known as the birthplace of St. Francis, Italy’s patron saint, Assisi lies amid Umbria’s rolling hills. It is full of art and history and, of course, the Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi. By this time we were completely exhausted as we had done SO much in such little time. We simply decided to just stroll the pretty little winding Assisi streets …

… before wrapping up our last night in Italy by dining at Il Ristorante San Francesco where I enjoyed yet another Roman artichoke dish.

The next morning we put on our comfy Soma lounge attire and prepared to head to the airport but not before one last picture in the gardens at NUN Assisi.  … Sigh.  It’s so pretty there. 

So that’s it. Friends!  Thanks for tagging along on our latest adventures.  Have YOU ever been on a memorable Girlfriend trip???  If so, where did you go?  DO tell.  XOXOXO