Orvieto and Civita di Bagnoregio
Private Day Trip Tour from Rome to Orvieto and the disappearing town of Civita di Bagnoregio
– Orvieto and Civita di Bagnoregio
Get away from the city for the day and take a journey into the heart of Umbria, the region of forests and mountains. Across winding roads, lined with trees and mountains, two remarkable mediaeval towns spring out of the stunning landscape: Orvieto and Civita di Bagnoregio.
The city of Orvieto and the tiny, stamp-sized settlement of Civita di Bagnoregio, are remarkable examples of the stupendous beauty of Italy, in the most unlikely places.
You will be picked up from your hotel at 8:30 am, before you embark on this remarkable and memorable day trip from Rome.
Merely driving past Orvieto is a delight – this remarkable sand-colored mediaeval city stretches atop a tuff cliff, above rolling green hillside. However, on this day trip, you won’t only enjoy the view of this little gem from a distance – you’ll get to explore the town yourself!
This remarkable little city has a wealth of history; St. Thomas Aquinas lived here for many years and lectured in the town. In the 13th century, five Popes made Orvieto their residence. You can still find the perfectly-preserved Papal palace next to the cathedral.
On this day trip, you’ll get to see the highlights of this beautiful mediaeval city, as well as enjoying the delightful experience of being in the town yourself. All of Orvieto’s winding, cobbled lanes are lined with old-fashioned glass lanterns, and you’ll head through them toward Oriveto’s Duomo. The Duomo is one of the best examples of a cathedral in the Italian gothic style in Italy. The façade is decorated in tremendous glittering mosaics that sparkle in iridescent gold.
If you so choose, you will be able to visit Orvieto’s St. Patrick’s Well. The well delights and puzzles visitors with its depth – open entering, it seems like the rings of arches and columns will descend into the earth forever. Orvieto’s St. Patrick’s Well has long been recognized as an amazing example of architecture – some say it inspired the genius Bramante’s work for the Vatican.
After taking a lunch stop, at a restaurant recommended by our expert guide, continue onwards to Civita di Bagnoregio.
What’s not to love about a town that’s over 2,500 years old, full of tottering mediaeval town houses, balanced precariously on top of a tuff cluff, above the amazing scenic landscape of Umbria?
There’s everything to love about Civita di Bagnoregio, this carless, perfectly picturesque, mediaeval village, with a population of only 100 – maximum; in Winter, the population is 7. For over 2,500 years this town has remarkably preserved its unique identity, partly because of its isolated position.
A great joy of Civita di Bagnoregio is making your way to the town, on foot across a narrow bridge. In some form or another, this bridge has been the only thing connecting the town with the outside for 1000s of years. Walk across the narrow bridge above the rolling green plains of Umbria.
When you’re inside the town, you’ll get to explore its magnificent charms. The whole thing is no bigger than a postage stamp, but inside the matrix of winding streets, lined with mediaeval brick houses, Civita di Bagnoregio has a magical, beautiful feeling about it, as though the town exists detached from time.
Join this day trip from Rome to Orvieto and Civita di Bagnoregio to experience the stupendous beauty and cultural wealth of magnificent Umbria. See two tiny settlements that are wholly different to Rome – but totally Italian – in a truly stunning landscape.