We're looking for someplace interesting and close to drive to and stay overnight when we arrive at Fiumicino Airport May 19th. Viterbo has a good write-up in some tour books but Fodors describes it as a "gloomy city" which is over-rated. Also, tour books don't list places to stay. Has anyone stayed there?

Helen, Go :30 further and stay at Orvieto. Check out the La Badia if you want a wonderful 4 star. If you want a well priced 3 star then the Villa Bellago on Lake Corbara is hard to beat and easy to find. Try to approach Orvieto from the west on back roads thru Viterbo for the best views.

Helen, <BR>This info is from a Cadogan ,Italy guide,1996. <BR>"Viterbo doesn't have alot of choices, but for a good place to stay you need look no further than Via della Cava" <BR>All three listed below are on the same street, <BR>Via della Cava <BR>Leon d'Oro: #36. <BR>Moderate, quiet, "alittle staid" with baths in all rooms. <BR>Roma, #26 <BR>Moderate <BR>Milano, #54 <BR>some rooms with baths, some without. <BR> <BR>Also, have you done a text search on this site, <BR>I recall someone was looking for info on this town last autumn. <BR>

Thanks to both of you for your replies. I did a search and the person wanting info on Viterbo last autumn received no replies. <BR>Bob, have you been to Viterbo? Is Orvieto much nicer and worth the extra drive? Is it really only another 30 minutes? We wanted somewhere really close since our flight doesn't get in until after 11:00 a.m. and we wanted to get somewhere fast to enjoy the balance of the day before heading into Tuscany the following day.

Helen, Yes and yes !

Actually, Helen, Bob is being quite conservative. I would bet that it takes almost the same time to get from Fiumicino to Viterbo or Orvieto (approx. 1:20 hours). <BR><BR>Though Viterbo is indeed closer, it's quite a ways off the A1 Autostrada. The shorter and most direct route would be the S2. But one can't develop higher speeds in this highway because it's a two-way highway. If one takes the A1 Autostrada to Orte instead, and then branches west to Viterbo, the distance increases and the travel even though the travel time is about the same. The distance from the A1 Autostrada in Orte to Viterbo is about 30km. That of Orvieto, from the same point and along A2, is about 45km. But one travels faster on A2, so that the time to cover these distances is about the same (maybe 5 minutes more to get to Orvieto). <BR><BR>Paulo<BR>

Vitero can be reached from Fiumicino in about 45 min-take the Civitavecchia-Aurelia highway that runs along the sea. (toll road-3 euros) You will pass next to the walled city of Tarquinia-towers like San Gimignano) where there is a delightful B&B with only 3 rooms -see it on www.elegantetruria.com) . Turning inland you arrive to Vetralla (lots of farmhouse accom, small hotel, B&B) and 10 km further you are in Viterbo-now the seat of an American high school year abroad program and several US college programs. <BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR> Happy exploring.

I thank you all for the info, this is where my family is from and I will use the info to try and trak my relatives.

Villa Farinella - a delightful little villa with three bedrooms is the place to stay in Viterbo. Full of character, antiques, painted ceilings and an intimate atmosphere, you get the run of the lounge, a beautiful country setting but walkable to the city center, and a warm, unobtrusive welcome.<BR>The beautiful gardens at Villa Lante, a few miles from Viterbo, are well worth a visit. Great restaurant virtually outside the entrance (can't remember what it's called).