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Assisi & Orvieto Day Trip from Rome

1. Assisi & Orvieto Day Trip from Rome

Escape Italy's busy capital for one day on this trip to Assisi and the Umbrian hill town Orvieto. On this tour, you will unveil the religious architecture of Umbria (such as the famous Cathedral of Orvieto) and discover the wines and local products of Tuscany. Leaving Rome in a northerly direction and driving along the Tiber Valley, reach Orvieto as your first stop, a small town of Etruscan origins where you will stop to admire the magnificent 14th century cathedral, a masterpiece of gothic architecture. The tour continues through the green Tuscan Hills covered in olive groves and vineyards. This is the land of some of Italy’s best known D.O.C. (quality controlled) wines, which include Orvieto, Chianti and Brunello di Montalcin. Afterwards, enjoy lunch, consisting of traditional local dishes. In the early afternoon you will continue your journey and drive along the shores of Lake Trasimeno. Finally, reach Assisi, which is located at the foot of Mount Subasio. Assisi is famous for being St. Francis' birthplace. You will see the Church of St. Claire, St Francis’ birthplace and his childhood home, the Townhall Square. Around the Townhall Square, you will see the People’s Palace and the Roman Temple dedicated to Minerva. One highlight of the tour will be the visit of St Francis’ Basilica, located close to the ancient city walls, with its magnificent frescoes painted between the 12th and 14th centuries. You will reach Rome around 19:30/20:00, where you will be dropped-off in the vicinity of your hotel.

From Rome: Orvieto & Civita Bagnoregio Coach Tour

2. From Rome: Orvieto & Civita Bagnoregio Coach Tour

First, get picked up from your hotel in central Rome or head to the meeting point in the city center. Board the coach and depart at 8 AM, setting off towards the ancient city of Bagnoregio in the Province of Viterbo in central Italy.  When you arrive, take a stroll around Civita di Bagnoregio which was founded by Etruscans more than 2,500 years ago. The town is noted for its striking position on top of a plateau between the two valleys called Fossato del Rio Torbido and Fossato del Rio Chiaro. Find out about how the settlement is also known as the 'dying town' and was historically accessed by a single road that led from the Tiber valley to Lake Bolsena.  Then, stop for a delicious lunch at a local Italian restaurant. In the afternoon, continue the tour to Orvieto, another small town of Etruscan origins where you can admire the magnificent 14th-century cathedral, a masterpiece of gothic architecture. Visit the remarkable Pozzo di San Patrizio, a historic well that was built by architect-engineer Antonio da Sangallo the Younger of Florence in the 16th Century.  Finally, return to Rome where you will be dropped off at the meeting point in the city center.

Orvieto: 2-Hour Cathedral and Underground Tour

3. Orvieto: 2-Hour Cathedral and Underground Tour

Start your tour in front of the amazing facade. Listen to your guide as they share plenty of information about the mosaics, the sculptures and the history of the church before taking you inside the huge building. Visit every part of the church, with a special focus on the beautiful San Brizio chapel, decorated by the Renaissance artist Luca Signorelli. Take a walk in the heart of Orvieto to the underground area of Pozzo della Cava to discover the hidden part of the city. Here your guide will teach you how the rooms were used throughout history, and you will look down into the impressive 36-meter deep Etruscan well. After your underground tour, walk to the edge of the city. From the top of the cliffs, admire stunning views on the rolling hills covered with vineyards and olive trees, and see the medieval town. A short walk throug picturesque little alleys will take you back to Piazza Duomo, where your tour ends.

Orvieto: Private Walking Tour with the Cathedral of Orvieto

4. Orvieto: Private Walking Tour with the Cathedral of Orvieto

Step back in time as you explore the streets of Orvieto with a local guide on this walking tour. Uncover the ancient origins of this town. Let your guide reveal how history has shaped the art and architecture of this town. Meet your guide in amid the palace, tower, and cathedral in Piazza del Duomo. Stroll to the 14th-century Gothic Cathedral of Orvieto. Enter the cathedral to admire the vibrant and colorful frescoes and mosaics inside. Head to the historic well of Pozzo di San Patrizio to view its two helical ramps that are in a double helix shape. Hear the facinating story behind this well from your local guide. Climb to the top of the medieval Torre del Moro tower. Admire stunning views of the town, the cathedral, and the surrounding countryside.

Rome: Assisi and Orvieto Day Tour

5. Rome: Assisi and Orvieto Day Tour

The mystic town of Saint Francis, surrounded by its ancient walls, was built on the green slopes of Mount Subasio and with its colorful houses of stone, narrow streets, flowering balconies and noble palaces provide beautiful views for memorable pictures (do not forget your camera). An interesting visit to St. Francis Basilica, with its early Renaissance masterpieces by Giotto and Cimabue, and the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli. Then the tour continues to Orvieto, where you can admire a masterpiece of Gothic architecture with a glistening façade of stained glass, mosaics and sculptures. Soak up Orvieto’s charm and admire the countless churches that are scattered around its center. Back to Rome, drop off at your hotel.

Orvieto: Guided Walking Tour of Underground Orvieto

6. Orvieto: Guided Walking Tour of Underground Orvieto

Orvieto stands out on a tuff hill, showing off its jewels, first of all the wonderful Duomo. Under it, however, inside, another city is hidden and preserved, dug over the centuries through the volcanic rock. Walking through the streets of the city, we will discover two unique architectural jewels. The first is the Pozzo della Cava: this is a complex from the Etruscan era with various hypogeal environments and a well dug into the tuff rock on which the city rests. This has a depth of 36 meters and has unique features that we will discover in detail. The second stop of the visit that we will reach with a short walk is the famous Well of St. Patrick: this water structure dates back to the sixteenth century and had the dual function of water supply in case of disaster but also a refuge in case of attack. Designed by Antono da Sangallo il Giovane, it has the peculiarity of having a double staircase whose access is guaranteed by separate doors that allow for totally separate access flows. 54 meters deep, this engineering jewel will be the highlight of this exciting guided tour.

From Rome: Orvieto and Civita di Bagnoregio Private Day Trip

7. From Rome: Orvieto and Civita di Bagnoregio Private Day Trip

Picking you up at your hotel in Rome at 08.00 am., will drive you for a private 8 hours tour to Civita di Bagnoregio (1.40 hr far from Rome) and Orvieto. Once at Civita, you will have to walk for 7-8 mnts on the pedestrian Bridge (€5 each to enter) before arriving to this little town that being on a sinking vulcanic Hill, will disappear in the Next future. From here will drive for 30 more minutes, to Orvieto, old Etruscan/medieval town, where you will have lunch (not included in the rate) and will walk around to visit its gothic Style Cathedral (€5 entrance fees), visit the underground Etruscan city possibility (€8 each) and go for wine tasting and ceramic stuff shopping. Back to Rome in the afternoon around 04.00 pm.

From Florence PRIVATE: Historical Umbria, Assisi and Orvieto

8. From Florence PRIVATE: Historical Umbria, Assisi and Orvieto

Discover Umbria, one of Italy’s true hidden gems, during this full-day tour that will take you into the green heart of the country. Visit Assisi, a UNESCO World Heritage site and discover its rich history which dates back to the Roman age; learn about its most illustrious citizen, Saint Francis, during a 1,5-hour walking tour. Enjoy a typical Umbrian lunch served in a beautiful location in Asissi. The next stop will be Orvieto, founded in 1290 and probably designed by Arnolfo Di Cambio, it is one of the most famous monuments of the Romanesque-Gothic Europe, offering a comprehensive overview of Italian art. Enjoy your free time as you like, visiting the churches, the famous well, wonder around or just have a seat and enjoy a glass of wine in front of the amazing Duomo. Also significant to the Roman era are the Arch of Drusus, the Roman House and the Roman Theatre.

Civitavecchia: Orvieto Underground and St. Patrick's Well

9. Civitavecchia: Orvieto Underground and St. Patrick's Well

The tour depart from Civitavecchia port, it is shared where your English-speaking driver will drive north-east direction. After about 45 min's drive, you will stop at the picturesque town of Civita di Bagnoregio also called "the dying city". Connected to the rest of the world by a three hundred meter bridge, Civita di Bagnoregio is a charming village which will make you feel you are visiting a world that no longer exists. Made up of old houses, narrow streets and surrounded by beautiful landscapes, walk through this magnificently unique setting. The Romanesque Arch at the entrance to Civita was built by the Etruscans 2,500 years ago and all that remains of the Renaissance Palace is the facade, the rest collapsed into the canyon. Visit the largest Piazza: the site of donkey races on the first Sunday of June and the second Sunday of September. In the evening, the piazza is the place to be, as what’s left of the town socializes there. Visit Maria’s Garden, follow the main road to the far side of town to see a lovely garden with canyon views. After the experience to Civita di Bagnoregio you will drive for another 20 minutes through the Umbrian countryside until arrive to Orvieto. It sits on a volcanic plateau. Its rich history began with the Etruscans and includes periods of Roman rule, barbarian invaders, and medieval battles with the papacy for its independence it has also been used as a papal refuge during the famous sack of Rome! In addition to being known for its high-quality food and wine, the town boasts an incredible Gothic cathedral with frescoes “Last Judgement” to rival Michelangelo’s in the Sistine Chapel, a labyrinth of cient underground tunnels, and a fine art gallery. Only on the private option you will visit Orvieto underground and St. Patrick's Well, built by Pope Clement the seventh during the sack of Rome in 1527 to guarantee a supply of water to its citizens in case of calamity or to survive prolonged sieges. Only during the nineteenth century took the current name "Pozzo di San Patrizio" to symbolize the spiritual path of the human soul. The legend told that a Irish priest was the guardian of the cave- the well precisely - from which the faithful could be convinced of the atrocity of the pains of hell. It was designed by "Antonio da Sangallo il giovane". The well, circular section, is 62 meters deep and 13 meters wide. Around the barrel spiral turn two spiral staircases in such a way as to run overlapping each other without ever crossing. In this way the helical system of steps allowed animals to carry water drawn from the bottom of the cavity and not to hinder the path of those who went up to the surface. 248 are the steps for each climb

Orvieto & Civita di Bagnoregio Private Tour from Rome

10. Orvieto & Civita di Bagnoregio Private Tour from Rome

Escape the hustle and bustle of Rome for a day and tour the lovely small towns of the Etruscan area north of the Eternal City. Traveling by private Mercedes minivan, your first port of call is Orvieto, built on top of a plateau of tufa stone, half-way between Rome and Florence. Boasting bags of charm, and one of Italy's most beautiful gothic cathedrals, admire the façade of this historic monument, completely decorated with mosaics. Orvieto is also known for its white wine and outstanding foods and olive oil, and a stop at a country-style restaurant will introduce you to some of these taste sensations. Continue to Civita di Bagnoregio, sitting on a plateau of tufo stone just like Orvieto. The town can only be reached by a footbridge, and the plateau is slowly deteriorating, so that the town might not be there for much longer. You can also visit a winery to sample superb Umbrian wines, exemplified by the hillside towns of Orvieto and Assisi.

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What people are saying about Orvieto

Overall rating

4.9 / 5

based on 10 reviews

Katherine and Federica were an excellent tour guide. It was just the my grandma and I, the transportation was a leather seat van, very comfortable. Katherine was very attentive and patient, informative and professional. I highly recommend this tour if you don’t like a big group of people in your tour.

What a wonderful day we had! Paola and Gianlucca were so friendly and informative. Gianlucca was a great driver and met all of our needs. Paola was able to tell us so much history. Andres was a very knowledgeable tour guide in Assisi. I highly recommend this tour.

Great day trip outside the city of Rome. Two charming towns with plenty of things to visit, and great restaurants. Paulo was excellent and the local guide as well. Highly recommend as a change to the city’s buzzle

Excellent trip, I would say perfect. Cristina is a very good guide. Delicious lunch, and the driver Lucca drives very safely. Beautiful Assisis and Orvieto Recommended 100%

Juliana and Roberto were great. Juliano was extremely conversant and knowledgeable concerning our tour sites. We would not hesitate to book another tour.