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Most of the major destination in Italy are focused on art and history. To truly experience the Italian culture today, you must spend some time in the Italian countryside. Orvieto is the perfect quaint town to see Italian life.
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Getting There:
The town of Orvieto sits on a hill, with the medieval portion of the town surrounded by a wall. From the Orvieto train station, you can get to the old town via a Gondola or private car. The Gondola is very inexpensive, but only runs until 5pm or so, and then you must carry your bags up the hill of the city to your hotel. A private car will be more expensive and take longer since it must drive around the winding roads up the hill. I suggest packing light and taking the Gondola so you can get a great view of the city and surrounding area.
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Where To Stay:
The town of Orvieto consists of two sections – one down by the train station where most locals live and one up on the hill which contains the medieval portion of the town. Make sure you stay in the old town portion! It’s picturesque of a classic Italian town, and will give you the opportunity to experience quaint Italian life. I enjoyed my stay at Grand Hotel Italia since it was perfectly centered in the town, giving me the ability to explore the surrounding area.
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What To Do:
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Climb Torre del Moro
The clocktower in the center of the town is a must-do for the photography lovers. At the top, you can see the entire town. It doesn’t take long and it’s a great way to introduce yourself to Orvieto.
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Italian Cooking Class
A trip to Italy wouldn’t be complete without an authentic Italian cooking class. Orvieto is the perfect place to get an Italian cooking experience without getting caught in a tourist trap. However, unless you’re a Gordon Ramsey in the kitchen, you do want someone who will make the cooking more about the experience than slaving away in the kitchen. Zeppelin Restaurant provided a fun, easy, authentic cooking lesson starting with a guided trip through the Orvieto market all the way to enjoying the pasta you cooked yourself.
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Explore the Town
The duomo is the heart of any Italian city, and the same goes for Orvieto. Wandering the streets of the town is equally as beautiful. If you visit Orvieto on a Saturday, be sure to explore the town market. Wandering among the different vendors makes you feel a part of the bustling Italian life.
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Hike Around the City Wall in the Countryside
If you’re the active type, you’ll realize by this point the lack of gyms in Italy. If you want to get some exercise, there’s a trail that leads around the outside of the city wall. You can ask your hotel staff for directions. Be prepared though, it’s quite the hike! It winds around the entire medieval city and goes down the hill into the surrounding countryside.
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Wine Tasting and Winery Visit
Orvieto Classico is a delicious wine that is made right there in Umbria. Before leaving the area, stop at a nearby winery for a wine tasting, tour, and lunch. Even if you’re not a somalia, you’ll still enjoy a look into the art of wine. This gem isn’t too far away from the town and offers a great tour.
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Where To Eat:
Trattoria de Carlo
There’s many small local restaurants with amazing food and wine, but this spot is a must-see! It’s located in a small alcove off the main road, and only has a few small tables. Carlo, an Adam Sandler look-alike, personally waits on every table. His grandmother makes the homemade pasta fresh every day. Carlo is hilarious and loves to chat with his English speaking customers. This restaurant is inexpensive, delicious, and provides an authentic Italian experience not to be missed!
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Gelato
One staple of the Italian cuisine is Gelato (or maybe that’s just my food pyramid). There’s so many amazing flavors and quite a few gelato locations. Pick your favorite and walk over to the duomo. Sitting on the steps of the illuminated duomo eating Italian gelato on a warm Italian night is one of my best memories of Italy.
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What to Bring:
- Camera – Have I said this already? You’ll want to capture the landscape as well as your memories while in this town.
- Walking Shoes – Old town Orvieto is made of uneven cobblestones and steep hills. Plus, most places in this town are more laid-back so you can be a little more casual here (as long as you’re still modest). A good pair of sneakers will do much better than wedges in this town.
- Rolling Suitcase or LIGHT duffle – Since you’ll most likely be carrying your own bags up and down the hill, you’ll want to make sure your bags won’t weigh you down. Try to keep it light, and wheels, while they don’t work as well on cobblestones, can still help lighten the load.
- See also The Novice Nomad’s Summertime Packing Guide for Italy
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The Novice Nomad 