I'm planning a trip to Italy, with the following itinerary: Bolzano, Cortona, Orvieto, and Rome. (We have been to Italy once before, and are trying to go to places we haven't already been.) Our focus - as you can see - is the Dolomites and hill towns, and we plan to travel by train/bus only. For those who have already been to these areas, what would you especially recommend we see and do? What should we avoid? Any tips on accommodations/restaurants? Our travel group will consist of me, my husband, and our two teenage children. Your advice is very much appreciated!
Posted by
Orvieto, Terni, Italy
2 posts
Ciao ... greetings form the wet Italy... I'm based in Orvieto (that I know pefectly) and I also recommend Cortona as well. I would like also to suggest to take a few moments to visit the little hinner village of MonteCastello di Vibio. A really beautiful and hinner places half way from Perugia & Todi. You can google and see that you can visit the smallest teather of the world as well as the beautiful romantic Romanic church. It is a ghost village and beautifully kept. Hope this help. Love Rossana Sapori
Posted by
OP
concord, ma, usa
10 posts
This sounds like a beautiful place. Are there train or bus connections from Orvieto or Cortona?
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11780 posts
Patricia:
In Orvieto, I highly recommend B&B Ripamedici (Google them). Sabrina has two rooms, joined by a shared parlor and kitchen. She can rent each room independently (each has a bathroom), or if you rent both you have a nice little apartment for the 4 of you. Very reasonable. We paid 75 euros for one room last October, so I presume 150 euros for both. Peaceful with a countryside view from your windows. Pizza Re Artu is a nice family spot with decent food and very sweet people. Also Trattoria del Moro Aronne for a little classied Orvieto experience, still not too expensive. (Try the pasta filled with pecorino and drizzled with honey. Yum!) In Rome, Palazzo-Olivia has apartments right near Piazza Navona, one and two bedroom. So central! Great restaurant around the corner, Cul de Sac. Antica Taverna a few blocks away is worth the search down a side alley. Popular with locals. Da Francesco is simple good food near P. Navona. For a real treat, hire Francesca Caruso for a private tour of Ancient Rome (Colosseum, Palatino, Forum). You will all be fascinated when you see Rome through her eyes. Less expensive for 4 people to pay her by the hour than to buy 4 tours with someone else, and a far better experience, IMHO. [email protected].
Posted by
Orvieto, Terni, Italy
2 posts
Morning Patricia, well in Cortona you've to visit the Caffe La Saletta right in the centre of the town, romantic place and extremely relaxing. Excellent Cappuccino. For lunch a little bit out of the ordinary Italian Food teh restaurant Il Preludio which is a few steps from the town hall. The train station in Cortona is called CORTONA CAMUCIA. You can google www.trenitalia.it and check timetable. To go to Montecastello di Vibio you cam take the train to Todi (name of train station is Ponterio). here you can take a taxi and reach Todi town and also Montecastello di Vibio - regretfully these two towns are not so well connected with public trasport. Hope this help. Have a great Trip! love rossana sapori
Posted by
OP
concord, ma, usa
10 posts
Thank you, Laurel, for the lodging and food ideas. Getting a tour guide for part of our time in Rome sounds like a great idea; it sounds like a more interesting, personal way to learn about the city. Thank you, Rossana, for the transportation advice in particular - this will help us to have a much better idea of how to get where we would like to go, in a country that we are just getting to know!