Orvieto In Context:

This tour provides a great introduction to the city of Orvieto, from its Etruscan origins,  through the Medieval period, into the Renaissance and up to the present day, finishing with a visit to one of the most extensive, privately owned caves or grottoes, in use since Etruscan times. A light lunch and small wine tasting is included which is then followed by a guided vist to the magnificent Orvieto cathedral and the apocalyptic Signorelli frescoes. Dinner, with an introduction to traditional Umbrian cuisine is also included to finish off the day. NOT Wednesdays.

duration: FULL DAY - or 2 HALF DAYS 
departs from: Rome, Orvieto - or by negotiation
type: day tour, or part of a package
available: all year, not available on Wednesdays

The Lake at Bolsena & The Dying City of Civita di Bagnoregio:

We visit the small, communal museum at the Lake of Bolsena, with its ancient links to the Etruscan city of Volsini (Orvieto), with some stunning views and a stroll by the lake. Lunch is included offering some traditional recipes of the delicate fish of the lake as well as from the close by Tyrrenian Sea. We then take a stroll across the spectacular, foot-bridge up into the ancient city (the "dying city") of Civita di Bagnoregio, a city that still clings to lif, high on its rocky precipice, with a chance to view the extraordinary and yet simple life of the few remaining inhabitants who refuse to abandon it to the elements.

duration: FULL DAY - or 2 HALF DAYS
departs from: Orvieto - or by negotiation
type: day tour, or part of a package
available: all year, NOT Mondays or Thursdays

The Oil Museum at Montecchio:

We take a drive through the countryside, through small villages, past ancient vineyards and olive groves, to the oil museum. It includes a guided visit to the oil museum set up by the current generation as a proud testament to their heritage and to the quality of produce that is still created today, with the same passion and devotion to the land. An early, light lunch is included at the museum with oil and produce and wine made on site.

duration: HALF DAY
departs from: Orvieto - or by negotiation
type: day tour, or part of a package
available: all year,

The Arts & Crafts - Deruta / Bevagna:

includes a visit to a very special sanctuary with votive tiles dating back to the early 16thC, then to the beautiful Renaissance ceramics of Deruta with an introduction to a very talented MASTER artisanand a guided visit to the "Museo della Ceramica". After lunch (included), we drive to the Roman/Medieval town of Bevagna, with its hidden Roman baths, and workshops of Medieval crafts: paper making, icon painting, candle making and silk weaving.

duration: FULL DAY
departs from: Orvieto - or by negotiation
type: day tour, or part of a package
available: all year, NOT Mondays or Wednesdays.

The Medieval town of Bevagna & the Sagrantino wines of Montefalco:

The valley of Assisi, where we pass on the way to Bevagna, is one of the most beautiful in Umbria. Bevagna itself is one of those simply stunning Roman/Medieval towns that are sprinkeled around the valley but here, there are the hidden Roman baths, and workshops of Medieval crafts: paper making, icon painting, candle making and silk weaving - a perfect way to experience the transition from Roman to Medieval life, where it is still eveident in the modern-day urban structure. we have lunch and a tasting of the wines at a vineyard close by to Montefalco where, among other wines, they produce the very special Sagrantino wines.

duration: FULL DAY
departs from: Orvieto - or by negotiation
type: day tour, or part of a package
available: all year, NOT Mondays or Wednesdays.

The Etruschi and the painted tombs of Tarquinia:

Transfer to Tarquinia to visit one of the most sympathetic Etruscan museums (D.H. Lawrence's favourite) to get a real "feel" for these amazing, enigmatic, intelligent and exquisitely accomplished people and the important part they played in the life, history and cultural development of the region. After lunch (with choices from the Tyrrenian Sea) we drive to the outskirst to the burial mounds and underground tombs to see the paintings - as they were to be, in situ.

duration: FULL DAY
departs from: Orvieto - or by negotiation
type: day tour, or part of a package
available: all year, NOT Mondays

The Villa Farnese & the Renaissance Gardens at Caprarola:

This day we drive to Caprarola for an insider's view of how the Pope's "played" and how their families made the most of what was typically a short but most ardent moment of power and glory. We visit the stunning Villa Farnese, one of the 2 most beautiful examples of 16th C country villas in Tuscia and (weather & protectors of the land permitting) take a stroll into the beautiful adjoining gardens with its typical Renaissance grottoes and surrounding parkland up to the Casino Piacere (Pleasure Palace/Hunting Lodge). We lunch in the village at a small trattoria speciaising in fungi porcini, all dishes, as they say, touched with a "pinch of fantasy".

duration: MORE THAN HALF A DAY
departs from: Orvieto - or by negotiation
type: day tour, or part of a package
available: all year, NOT Mondays

Mannerist / Late Renaissance Gardens of the Villa Lante:

For many, this wonderful "Mannerist" style garden is the best example of the late Italian Renaissance period of garden design. The buildings and very modern al fresco eating areas are all treated as garden ornaments. Every aspect of the garden is perfectly proportioned and richly detailed with many fabulous water features arranged over a number of terraces. At the summit is a marvellous grotto with views right down the terraces and across the distant rooftops. The Water Chain rivals that at Caprarola and one of the best and earliest example of a stepping cascade.

duration: HALF A DAY
departs from: Orvieto - or by negotiation
type: day tour, or part of a package
available: according to the season, NOT Mondays

The Monster Park at Bomarzo - Il Sacro Bosco:

The ancient city of Bomarzo provides the setting for one of the most astounding "theme" parks of the later Renaissance. We take a gentle wander through the groves of this amazing and fanciful creation, strewn with monumental stone carvings that both challenge and delight, questioning interpretation and awakening the imagination - it is a lovely escape for a meander through a quiet but magical landscape.

duration: HALF DAY
departs from: Orvieto - or by negotiation
type: day tour, or part of a package
available: all year, NOT Mondays

Assisi & the Patron Saint of Italy - St Francis:

No visit to Assisi is complete without first visitng the basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli and the Porziuncula - this tiny chapel now located within the imposing walls of the monumental church that was built around it to protect it from the environment and to house the thousands of ilgrims who come every year to worship at this most sacred site of St Francis of Assisi. Once up in the city of Assisi itself we have lunch at a little tucked away trattorie and then wander down to the basilicas for a guided tur of both the Upper and Lower churches with their amazing cycle of frescoes by the most talened and revered of all of Italy's most Revered late Medieval / early Renaissance Masters including Giotto, Cimabue, Simone Martini, Pietro Lorenzetti, to name a few - as they were breaking new ground in their depictions of the life of their most beloved saint, St Francis, and the movement that quickly grew up around him.

duration: VERY FULL DAY
departs from: Orvieto - or by negotiation
type: day tour, or part of a package
available: all year, NOT Mondays

Roman Roads - the Power-base of a remarkable Empire:

Transfer to the archaeological park at Carsulae to walk along one of the most famous, ancient Roman roads, the Via Flaminia. This Roman settlement was established along the ancient Via Flaminia as an important way-stop before heading into Rome. It is possible t discern the urban layout, to walk wander among the ruins and come to a greater understanding - and appreciation - of Roman ingenuity and how they were able not only to conquer far lands, but also to maintain their power. This is particularly delightful in spring and early summer with an abundance of wild flowers and sheep grazing in the gentle pasture. HALF DAY but can also be extended to a FULL DAY including other Roman remains of particular interest in the area.

duration: HALF or FULL DAY
departs from: Orvieto - or by negotiation
type: day tour, or part of a package
available: all year, NOT Mondays

Master Collections - ROME (Vatican/Sistine Chapel/Galleria Borghese):

As a day trip from Orvieto we take the train into Rome (bus or minivan hire depending on numbers or preferences) for the day and begin at the Galleria Borghese with a pre-bookedentry time. This is one of our favourite venues in Rome, with so many stories to tell and so many beautiful art works not to be missed, not only in the creation of the works themselves but also in the myths and legends they bring to life, some quite alarming so considering they were all commissioned by the great Cardinal himself. Lunch may be bought independantly at the small bar in the gallery before we head off to the Vatican. Again, we have a pre-booked entry time (to avoid those queues) as we go into the huge complex that is the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel - noted for so many treasures it is also the first "public gallery" to show off a collection. The long route to the final destination of the most precious work of all, the Sistine Chapel, is not to be underestimated for its own immeasurable riches. We will help you through the maze to a greater understanding of its importance and context that culminates in that most curious of rooms, the chapel of the Popes.

duration: VERY FULL DAY
departs from: Rome, Orvieto - or by negotiation
type: day tour, or part of a package
available: all year, NOT Mondays

Founding of the Empire (myths & legends) - ROME (Museo Capitoline):

We take the train from Orvieto to Rome (bus or minivan hire depending on numbers or preferences). This day begins atop the Piazza Campidoglio. Ancient sources speak of an inhabited settlement founded by Saturnia on the Capitoline Hill well before the foundation of Rome itself. It was here that the Greeks came with Heracles, to be followed later by descendants of the Trojans who accomanied Aeneas after their flight from Troy. We will follow these great myths and legends to the founding of Rome (753BC) by Romulus and finish with a spectacular view over the whole forum from a great vantage point. The afternoon can be spent with free-time visits to the Coloseum or into the Forum and the Palatine until we meet again to return to Orvieto or stay in Rome.

duration: HALF DAY
departs from: Rome, Orvieto - or by negotiation
type: day tour, or part of a package
available: all year, NOT Mondays

Siena - a City on the Edge of Power:

Siena is fast becoming one of our popular Day Tour destinations from Orvieto, with such fascinating links to the great power struggles in Medieval and Renaissance Central Italy and as the origin of many famous (and infamous) powerful family names that resonate throughout the peninsula. With so much to see, including the amazing mosaic floors of the cathedral, the views from the top of the museum and the famous piazza/arena of the Palio, it is a full and fascinating day out and includes lunch with some of the best and unusual appetisers you will ever taste.

duration: FULL DAY
departs from: Orvieto - or by negotiation
type: day tour, or part of a package
available: all year with preference to SEP/OCT