“When you grow up, you should join the covent!” My father would somewhat jokingly tell my sister and me when we were growing up. Well boy would he be shocked to learn that his delusion would come to life in Poppi. What the town is lacking in hotels and population, it is made up for in hospitality. The store owners (who did not speak any English) and our guides were nice beyond compare, but the group of people who stuck out the most were the wonderfully kind Sisters of Poppi. While in Poppi, the students of Slippery Rock University had the experience of overnighting in a wifi free convent. You may think this weird, but it was honestly one of the coolest experiences I’ve had. The women were extremely kind, the nuns have a free single serve coffee vending machine, and the view from our room was to die for. Let’s tackle this in order. The kindness and hospitality of the nuns: they prepared us breakfast, they constantly conversed with us, and when there was an unexpected rain storm and all of us left our windows open they made the room rounds and shut all of them. Second: the coffee machine. I want one for my house. You could choose one of twelve beverage options, and it would make you the perfect cup of choice. Third: the view. Imagine terra cotta roofs, small gardens, and far off photogenic mountains. Add in a surplus of silence (Slippery Rock students not included) and you have yourself the perfect rural atmosphere.

 I’m not one for medieval castles, but the view from both the Romena and Poppi castles was gorgeous. Add in rooms fully decked out in frescos, and you could paint me impressed. The detail and precision of these frescos seemed too perfect to be hand painted. The hike to these castles took a toll on all of us, but the view made the shortness of breath and burning calves worth it.