Looking for inspiration/ ideas around Orvieto / Castiglionne del Lago area
Oct 12th, 2016, 10:33 AM
#1
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Looking for inspiration/ ideas around Orvieto / Castiglionne del Lago area
Hello wise group,
We are off on another road trip in Italy later this month, driving to Pompeii from the north. To break up the drive on the way down, my mother has suggested a stop in the Orvieto / Castiglione del Lago area - - as she visited that area years ago and found it beautiful. We will be myself, my mom (in her late 60's and relatively healthy, but with some mobility limitations) and my very active, well traveled three children - ages 10, 7 and 6. I have spent a lot of time and energy planning the other aspects of this holiday and am running low on inspiration at this point -- please help me identify cool places to stay about three or even four hours north of Pompeii (closer is fine too) that have places with family size rooms, have castles to explore (or stay in?), orchards or wineries we can visit, lakes and hiking can be great too, my eldest is an aspiring history buff - so cool historical significance is a bonus, and ideally a place with 'plan b' activities nearby, i.e. indoor activities in case the weather is just horrible. I think we are more inclined to stay in the country side than a 'city' - but are flexible on that point and near a larger town/ city with plan b activities may make sense.
I really know very little about this area between Florence and Rome. It seems from my brief research that there are so many quaint towns, and I am completely overwhelmed by my options.
If this is not the right season to visit this area, or perhaps it is not the type of place you can stay just two nights, as an alternative, we could find a motorway hotel along the way and stop for only one night - or push through and drive all the way to Pompeii in a day. . . but as the driver of a full car, I would rather take a break.
Thanks in advance for any advice, suggestions, inspiration!
cdc
We are off on another road trip in Italy later this month, driving to Pompeii from the north. To break up the drive on the way down, my mother has suggested a stop in the Orvieto / Castiglione del Lago area - - as she visited that area years ago and found it beautiful. We will be myself, my mom (in her late 60's and relatively healthy, but with some mobility limitations) and my very active, well traveled three children - ages 10, 7 and 6. I have spent a lot of time and energy planning the other aspects of this holiday and am running low on inspiration at this point -- please help me identify cool places to stay about three or even four hours north of Pompeii (closer is fine too) that have places with family size rooms, have castles to explore (or stay in?), orchards or wineries we can visit, lakes and hiking can be great too, my eldest is an aspiring history buff - so cool historical significance is a bonus, and ideally a place with 'plan b' activities nearby, i.e. indoor activities in case the weather is just horrible. I think we are more inclined to stay in the country side than a 'city' - but are flexible on that point and near a larger town/ city with plan b activities may make sense.
I really know very little about this area between Florence and Rome. It seems from my brief research that there are so many quaint towns, and I am completely overwhelmed by my options.
If this is not the right season to visit this area, or perhaps it is not the type of place you can stay just two nights, as an alternative, we could find a motorway hotel along the way and stop for only one night - or push through and drive all the way to Pompeii in a day. . . but as the driver of a full car, I would rather take a break.
Thanks in advance for any advice, suggestions, inspiration!
cdc
Oct 12th, 2016, 10:41 AM
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For Tuscany/Umbria--the area between Florence and Rome--it might be a good idea to browse through guidebooks to get an idea of where you want to base yourself.
For a taste of what to see:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca...914974923/show
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca...914855341/show
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca...914730403/show
For a taste of what to see:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca...914974923/show
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca...914855341/show
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca...914730403/show
Oct 12th, 2016, 10:51 AM
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Orvieto is a great option. I have stayed there three times, each time for several nights. I like the Hotel Duomo, which is very close to the Duomo. Since you have a car, you might prefer staying close to the parking garage. I have stayed at the Hotel Piccolomini in that case. Both hotels are very good choices.
Your kids might like the trek to Civita da Bagnoreggio (sp) and abandoned hilltop town. Access is along a modern concrete walkway. Interesting to imagine how people got there in centuries past!
Your kids might like the trek to Civita da Bagnoreggio (sp) and abandoned hilltop town. Access is along a modern concrete walkway. Interesting to imagine how people got there in centuries past!
Oct 12th, 2016, 11:37 AM
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You might consider staying somewhere on one of the lakes between Florence and Rome: Bolsena, Vico, and Bracciano. There's lots to see and do in this area, apart from the well-known Orvieto and Civita di Bagnoregio.
There's a castle in the town of Bracciano, where I think Tom Cruise and whats-er-name got married. The lake is very pleasant and there's a large provincial park at the northeastern end.
In Terni, there's a beautiful waterfall, the Cascata del Marmore. Most of the water is diverted to a hydroelectric power plant, but if you can manage to be there when the water is released, it's a splendid sight. They sound a siren to warn people to leave the paths that are close to the water course.
Viterbo has a very nice medieval center and a beautiful papal palace. There was a papal election in that palace in the 13th century that lasted three years. Finally, the exasperated people locked them in until they made a decision, and passed food down to them through the roof. The word "conclave" (with key) comes from this election, as does the custom of locking the cardinals up during a conclave.
In Caprarola, there's a very beautiful 16th century palace that was one of many residences of the Farnese family.
Todi is a beautiful medieval Umbrian hill town.
In Tarquinia and Cerveteri, there are magnificent Etruscan necropoli, and both towns have an Etruscan museum. The one in Tarquinia is especially interesting, although I liked the necropolis at Cerveteri better. There are many less-well-known Etruscan remains in the area.
There's a castle in the town of Bracciano, where I think Tom Cruise and whats-er-name got married. The lake is very pleasant and there's a large provincial park at the northeastern end.
In Terni, there's a beautiful waterfall, the Cascata del Marmore. Most of the water is diverted to a hydroelectric power plant, but if you can manage to be there when the water is released, it's a splendid sight. They sound a siren to warn people to leave the paths that are close to the water course.
Viterbo has a very nice medieval center and a beautiful papal palace. There was a papal election in that palace in the 13th century that lasted three years. Finally, the exasperated people locked them in until they made a decision, and passed food down to them through the roof. The word "conclave" (with key) comes from this election, as does the custom of locking the cardinals up during a conclave.
In Caprarola, there's a very beautiful 16th century palace that was one of many residences of the Farnese family.
Todi is a beautiful medieval Umbrian hill town.
In Tarquinia and Cerveteri, there are magnificent Etruscan necropoli, and both towns have an Etruscan museum. The one in Tarquinia is especially interesting, although I liked the necropolis at Cerveteri better. There are many less-well-known Etruscan remains in the area.
Oct 12th, 2016, 01:25 PM
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Oct 13th, 2016, 07:42 PM
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Orvieto has the underground you can tour and Etruscan tombs. There is also a tower to climb. I would stay in the hill town since it will be dark early.
You can see a castle from the area where the underground tour starts, but I don't know if it's one you can visit.
http://www.orvietounderground.it/index.php/en/
Civita di Bagnoregio is a short drive and the kids would probably find it fun to trek up.
You can see a castle from the area where the underground tour starts, but I don't know if it's one you can visit.
http://www.orvietounderground.it/index.php/en/
Civita di Bagnoregio is a short drive and the kids would probably find it fun to trek up.
Oct 13th, 2016, 09:47 PM
#9
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I also recommend Orvieto. We stayed outside the main town at an agriturismo, Locanda Rosati, www.locandarosati.it/en/ and it was wonderful. We took half board that included breakfast and dinner. Highly recommended.
Civita di Bagnoregio is a great spot to visit.
Civita di Bagnoregio is a great spot to visit.
Oct 15th, 2016, 12:55 AM
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Thank you all for the advice! I need to spend some more time researching this area - and will post again once we have made a decision (although I am always so slow to post... it probably will be after our trip with a report on a where we stayed). Thanks again.
