sharkmom

I am down to my final set of decisions for the upcoming trip in December. I want to spend 2 nights in Orvieto and can't decide which hotel to book. BTW, one day will be devoted to Orvieto and the other will be spent going to Assisi via Deruta (mostly so I can shop for the ceramics!)

Now that I think about it, I have never seen anyone glowing about Deruta. Is there a reason for this?

Budman

We loved Locanda Rosati and even had a great dinner with them, but be advised it is not in the town -- it's about 5-7 km on the outskirts, so you definitely need a car. Since it's up in the hills, there are great views of Orvieto that are "must sees."

If you do stay at Locanda Rosati, do try to get to Civita di Bagnoregio. It's another "must see."

bobthenavigator

The Locanda is 9 KM outside of Orvieto in the opposite direction from Assisi, even if it is open in Dec.

Dayle

Hi Sharkmom,

We stayed in Orvieto at the Palazzo Piccolomini and were very happy with it, although that was 5 years ago. Orvieto is wonderful and I also highly recommend a 1/2 day to Civita di Bagnoreggio.

We did do a day trip to Deruta for ceramics. I was disappointed in what I saw, compared to what I had seen elsewhere, and ended up not buying anything.

We also stopped at Todi the same day and really enjoyed it.

Buon viaggio!

sharkmom

We will have a car so that's not an issue. Do I gather that the hotel "in town" is not a good choice?

Dayle, Please tell me about your ceramics purchases or rather lack thereof in Deruta. Where did you see better stuff? I had assumed that a trip to the source would yield the most interesting, best selection and best price. Maybe I am mistaken.

SRS

sharkmom,

We stayed at the Hotel Duomo for one night in August 2004. We really enjoyed the place. Our room was huge, nicely decorated, and quiet. I remember the shower being extra small and the towels being thin, but this is a fairly common thing in Italy. We would completely stay again.

I think we paid in cash, so had no troubles, but I think I have read here that the hotel coverts to dollars (usuing the dynamic conversion?) and can give a bad deal. Might want to search for that if you'll be paying with a cred card.

Anyway, I don't know anything about Locanda Rosati, but the comments on it seem positive.

I would decide depending on whether you want to be in town or out of town. We didn't have a car, so I have no idea as to which would be preferable with one.

Sally

alan64

I stayed at the Hotel Duomo in Orvieto. I loved the location, and thought the hotel was a good value. It wasn't fancy and the room was plain, but clean. If you aren't looking for 'style' or atmosphere, then I'd recommend it. I enjoyed being in the town. Once the sun went down, there were only a few tourists left in town and it was great walking around the quiet streets after dinner.

sharkmom

Alan64, I have come to the conclusion that it might be more fun to be able to walk around the city after dark and that staying outside the walls would make this too much hassle. In a different thread, I had also considered a hotel outside Siena and changed my mind when I realized how much easier it would be to explore after dark if we were in the center of things.
There don't seem to be too many glowing reviews of hotels inside Orvieto but I think location, location, location wins out!

alan64

Be aware that Orvieto is a much smaller town than Siena, and therefore has very little in the way of night life. I didn't mind, and I really enjoyed the quiet evenings. I also had a great dinner at Tipica Trattoria Etrusca, which is just a couple of minutes walk from the Duomo.

Dayle

We loved our evenings (3) in Orvieto. Loved the passaggiata with the locals and no tourists, except us of course!

Re ceramics, I had visited a little "factory" in Chianti. The Rampini Ceramics factory. Their work was such nice quality and they were able to make and ship exactly what I wanted. I was afraid to purchase at the first place I visited and knowing that we were planning on Deruta, I delayed making a decision. The Rampini people said I could order later with a phone call since they knew what pattern I wanted. I didn't see the same quality in Deruta, although I loved the patio furniture factory where they specialized in monster sized vases and table tops!

Live and learn! After I returned home to the US, I tried to order from Rampini. Now they wanted payment in US dollars and no "factory" discount. The price went up by 33%. Needless to say, I didn't buy.

5 1/2 years later, I finally got my lemon pattern (just a platter due to the lousy exchange rate now) in Rapallo and had it shipped home. Mission accomplished.

One of the major lessons you will hear on this board: If you see it and like it - buy it! You won't find it again.

Buon viaggio!

sharkmom

I guess there is truth to the saying about he who hesitates When the dollar was stronger, these lovely things were more affordable. Since I have my heart set on some Italian ceramics, I think I will start a thread asking about good sources. Some of these vendors have both studios and shops in Florence and I wonder if the prices are the same in both places. What do you think?

sharkmom

alan64, Did you try I Sette Consoli? That seems highly recommended. I think after a wonderful meal, it will be nice to stroll, although in December it may be too cold for me (a true Californian)!
I am not looking for nightlife, just local ambience.

alan64

I wasn't there long, so I didn't get a chance to try that restaurant. Definitely go for an after dinner walk - just make sure you have a good coat and perhaps some gloves.