I'm planning a trip to Italy in early May and was considering using Orvieto as a base and making day trips from there. I will have about 5 days in Orvieto. I fly into and out of Rome. I will not be driving so these day trips will be dependent on trains, buses or local tour guides. Any suggestions will be appreciated.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32402 posts
Patrick, One very popular day trip is to visit one of Rick's favourite hill towns, Civita di Bagroregio. It's been featured on his PBS TV shows, so you may have seen it. Have a look at THE WEBSITE for more specific information. The trip will take the better part of a day. You'll first take the Cotral Bus from the main piazza in Orvieto to the small town of Bagnoregio. When you arrive there, you'll transfer to the small shuttle bus for the short trip to the bridge that leads to Civita. While in Civita, I'd recommend a fine hot meal at Antico Forno. Franco (the owner) speaks excellent English, and you'll get an excellent meal. Be sure to note the return times of the Shuttle between Bagnoregio and Civita. Last time I visited, the shuttle had a "siesta" in the afternoon (a cost-cutting measure which I didn't know about), so I was left standing in the rain for an hour or more. Due to some good luck, I managed to get a ride back to Orvieto (it's a long story). Happy travels!
Posted by
Key West, FL, United States
72 posts
We made a day trip by train to Assisi from Orvieto and had enough time to get a good overview of the town.
Posted by
Key West, FL, United States
72 posts
We made a day trip by train to Assisi from Orvieto and had enough time to get a good overview of the town.
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
Other day trips to consider are Chiusi (half hour train plus short bus or taxi ride), Montepulciano (train to Chiusi plus 1 hour bus ride), Cortona (one hour train plus 10-15 minute bus ride) and Arezzo (one and a half hour train and 10-15 minute walk into old town). Trains and buses to these towns run several times a day and cost is reasonable.
Posted by
West Chester, PA
40 posts
Oh, wow. I do agree with Ken about Civita. It is a place you will never ever forget. The history of the place, the view from Bagnoregio before getting on the bridge, it was one of my very favorite experiences in Italy. My 6 year old grandson still talks about it! And he is not easily impressed. Don't miss it.
Posted by
Boston
1816 posts
I highly recommend Pitigliano. It had an extraordinary Jewish community, part of which is now a museum complex. The town occupies an amazing site, and is geologically amazing. Nearby you can hike some of the Etruscan 'Via Cave' which are one of the most incredible things I've seen in almost 30 years of visiting Italy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitigliano
http://www.comune.pitigliano.gr.it/index.php?T1=87000
Posted by
OP
Burke, VA, United States
23 posts
Thanks everyone. I plan on doing day trips to Civita and Cortona. The third day trip will probably be Chiusi.