Orvieto or Bagnoregio?

Gail, I would absolutely recommend staying in Orvieto rather than Bagnoregio, as there's much more to see and do there. The Duomo is incredible, the Underground Tours are interesting, as is St. Patrick's Well. The view over the Umbrian countryside is fantastic, and there are some nice restaurants and Hotels. Bagnoregio is a much smaller town, so the Hotel choices and activities will be more "limited". Aside from enjoying the ambience or walking down to Civita, there probably won't be a lot to do. Which place to stay will of course depend on your preferences, and what type of "travel experience" you're interested in. Happy travels!

Gail you may want to stay in Orivieto and take a day trip to Bagnoregio. The bus departs from Piazza Cahen or the train station... Tickets from the bar or tabacchi on Corso Cavour, a block up from the funicular are 4 euro round trip. Do not buy your ticket from the bus driver 14 euro. From Bagnoregio to Civita you can catch a shuttle bus across from the gas station..pay driver 1 euro round trip or its just a 10min walk to the bridge

Jo,
Thank you for the tips! For what reason would you suggest we stay in Orvieto rather than Bagnoreigio? Is it because of the ease of getting the bus tickets?

My reason was the same as Ken's, so much more in Orvieto. Gail if you don't already have rooms booked check the web page of Casa Selita in Orvieto. We fell in love with the pictures, plan to stay 3 nights in April

Orvieto is one of our most favorites. Great size and ambience.

I have decided to stay in Orvieto thanks to all of your input. I found a place called B & B Ripa Medici which sounded wonderful, however, they are full but told me that they have an apartment available called Michelangeli. They say they are in the same building, but this looks to be street level close to the Duomo in the historical center.
Does anyone know anything about this place, or have you stayed there?

We stayed at the La Magnolia in Orvieto in an apartment and found it lovely. Sounds like it is very close to the place you are staying. And from the RS book seems a lot more reasonable, but there are steps, lots of them. We loved Orvieto and have stayed there twice.

Although we enjoyed several hrs. and lunch in Bagnoregio I am glad that we didn 't choose to stay here. We thought about it. I think you will be happy about your choice to stay in Orvieto as it is lovely and you can trip to Bagnoregio if you wish. happy travels!

Gail:
We stayed at B&B Ripamedici last October. Sabrina is a wonderful hostess. The B&B is a short walk from the duomo in a very quiet area overlooking the Umbrian countryside. If the apartment Michelangeli is there, it is about a 10 minute walk to the duomo. We loved Orvieto. Great dining optons and just a pleasant place to "be."

Have you stayed in Michelangeli? Ripa Medici is not available but they offered Michelangeli. I couldn't find any reviews for it so was hesitant. I don't like to stay anywhere we can't read reviews about. Do you have any input on it? Also found B & B Garibaldi. Does anyone know anything about that one? Thanks for the input everyone!

FYI, Tripadvisor.com is an additional resource for reviews on lodging.

I can't help with the specific place you were recommended, but we had a booking mishap with Ripa Medici and she sent us to her friend at B&B Casa Flavia. It's an apartment, rather than a true B&B, and other than a stubborn shower, we really enjoyed it. Lots of space, a lovely backyard terrace, perfect location, and a bakery downstairs. If you're happy to be on your own (our hostess was available by phone but we never ended up calling her except to pick us up at the funicular station), that's a possible option.