debby_fish

We are are party of 6 (4 adults and 2 children + luggage)who will be in Italy next week. Saturday we are taking our rental car from Rome (a Fiat Ulysse or similar full size van) and driving to San Gimignano with a sightseeing stop and lunch (hopefully Sette Consoli - thanks for the tip Ira) in Orvieto.

Our dilemma is should we risk leaving our vehicle parked with our luggage inside in order to see Orvieto? Of course we would conceal our luggage in a way that it could not be visible (if possbile).

Or is there a facilty near by we can store our luggage for a few hours - such as a train station with lockers?

Or do we by pass our visit to Orvieto? What a dilemma!

I have not rented a Fiat Ulysse before so I am unaware if we will be able to fully conceal our luggage. I wouldn't leave a vehicle with luggage visible.

Anyways I certainly appreciate any suggestions. I don't want to miss Orvieto, but if I feel my luggage will be at risk of being stolen from our vehicle we'll have to forgo our visit to Orvieto.

Marilyn

debby, the train station in Orvieto is quite small and I don't think there are any lockers there. Parking in the town itself can also be a problem. My advice would normally be to park in the large lot that is below the train station. From there you can take the funicular (if it is running) or a bus to the upper town, which is where you want to be. Orvieto has always struck me as a very safe place, so I might risk leaving my luggage, but of course there are NO guarantees. The only other option that I can think of is to contact one of the hotels in town and ask if you can leave your luggage there for a small fee. You might be able to work something out.

Flavia

debby,
If you do contact a hotel in Orvieto to store your luggage as Marilyn suggested, make sure it is near the station and NOT in the old towm. One hotel that I know of that is near the train station is Hotel Picchio. Phone0763-301-144 or [email protected] I think they speak English.
I also got the impression that Orvieto is safe. I have been there two times both for day trips. I would defintitly try to fit it in. Take the finicular up to the old town. That is an experience! If you have enough time the underground tour is great!

ira

Hi debby,

I have a vague recollection of a parking area near I Sette Consoli, although I could be completely wrong.

Why not ask them about parking when you make reservations?

isabel

Two years ago I left my car, with luggage in it, in the larage lot below the train station for three days while I went to Rome. We didn't want to drive into Rome so took the train. It was in the middle of a three week trip (there were four of us) and we didn't need all our luggage so we just took enough for the three days and left the rest in the trunk of the car. I was a little nervous about it but several people told me they had done the same thing. It was fine. There is a person in a small office selling furnicular and bus tickets so someone is sort of watching the lot. She told me she would feel safe leaving things there, but of course no guarantee. Orvieto is a great place and I wouldn't miss it. In fact I'd give it more than a few hours but if that's all the time you've got at least go for that time.

Budman

ira, this restaurant better be good. You got me and debby fished in (pun intended).

ira

Hi budman,

It was verrrrrryyyy good when we were there last Sept.

Get a table in the garden if the weather is nice.

Budman

Well, this will be our first meal in Italy -- I hope I don't fall asleep after the jetlag -- maybe a short nap after lunch.

mgfit

We did the stop over for the afternoon in Orvieto last May with luggage in the car. There were 4 adults plus luggage in our group. We rented a car that was the size of an SUV type but looked more like a mini van. It did have a cover in the back and you could not see the luggage. All went ok for us. I would ask when you pick up the car if they can recommend something that may be concealed. The car we had would not fit your group. Orvieto did feel very safe to me. It's hard to say though. You are smart to think about this in advance. Also - one word of advice. If you plan to purchase ceramics - buy them in Orvieto. I could kick myself for waiting until Florence! The prices/selection in Orvieto were much better. We only bought a few peices there and I regret it a lot!! Have a great trip!!

debby_fish

Mgfit: Thanks for the info and the tip on purchasing ceramics. I am definately planning on purchasing while in Italy. I have heard San Gimignano is a great place to buy so I was going to wait until I got to San Gim. Did you go there? If so how does it compare to Orvieto?

Unfortunately our day in Orvieto is going to be very hectic. We plan on leaving Rome about 9:30 am and should arrive in Orvieto by 11:00 am. I don't think we have time to shop, visit the spectacular cathedral, have lunch, see the underground and double helix well. In addition we have to arrive at our villa in San Gim by 5:00 pm stopping in Poggobonsi (sp) beforehand to pick up groceries for a few days (as we are doing this on Saturday before Easter and I don't think stores will be open Easter Sunday or Monday).

With that said we could save time doing our grocery shopping in Orvieto. Any suggestions out there as where to shop in Orvieto?

Marilyn

Wow, debby, I think you need to regroup. There is no way you can do all that on the time schedule you've laid out!

First of all, the cathedral in Orvieto is fairly plain inside, but the must-see is the San Brizio Chapel on the far right at the front. There is a separate admission fee for it and you need to purchase your ticket across the street before you enter the cathedral. Don't miss it -- it's amazing.

Next, you are far better off doing your grocery shopping at the Co-op in Poggibonsi than in Orvieto, for any number of reasons.

*Orvieto is full of small shops, which will be much more expensive than the Co-op.
*You will have to go to several shops to get everything you need, and then you will have to lug your groceries back to your car -- a bit of a walk unless you take a taxi, but then there only about 3 taxis in all of Orvieto. (I am not kidding about this.)
*If you buy perishables, you then have a drive of several hours to get to San Gim during which your food will not be refrigerated.

I think there is a Co-op in the lower part of Orvieto, so perhaps that will work for you. However, the Co-op in Poggibonsi is right off the freeway and pretty much on your way to San Gim. It's a treat to shop there, and from there it's about a half hour-ish to San Gim.

Lastly, you will have a lot more selection and better prices on pottery in Orvieto. There are several studios that make and hand paint their ceramics in Orvieto. The town is known for it. San Gim has become extremely touristy and while you will see ceramics for sale there, little of it will be made in the town itself. And prices are almost certain to be higher.

(FYI I have had the good fortune to spend a week in Orvieto each of the past three summers, and during the two years prior to that I spent several weeks each year in an agriturismo near Poggibonsi, so we did most of our grocery shopping at the Co-op there.)

debby_fish

Well sounds as though I've bitten off too much and I need to regroup. My husband thanks all of you for having me reconsider my plans. I was starting to stress about the day as well.

I think that now we'll take our time leaving Rome and bypass Orvieto on the way to San Gimignano. We'll focus on doing our grocery shopping and getting our villa. I'm sure we can take possession as early as 3:00 pm.

Then later on the in the week we'll take a leisurely day trip to Orvieto. That way we can see the sights we wish to and have a wonderful lunch at Sette Consoli. And I can hit the ceramic shops! I realize Orvieto is a little far for a daytrip drive from San Gim, but it will be worth it. Thanks to all for responding

Marilyn

debby, I adore Orvieto, but there are so many day trips that will be closer to you based in San Gim. Volterra, Colle di Val d'Elsa, Chianti area, Siena, Florence. All the lovely towns south of Siena but not as far as Orvieto: Montalcino, Pienza, Montepulciano. The ruined abbey of San Galgano. Depending on how long you are staying, you might want to save Orvieto for a trip when you are based in Umbria or southern Tuscany instead of north-central Tuscany. Have a fantastic trip!

ira

I agree with Marilyn.

tashak

mgfit and marilyn...
Sounds like the two of you are a crazy about ceramics as I am! I have been to Orvieto several times...sometimes only a day trip from Rome to buy ceramics! I take a folding luggage carrier on the train so I can cart a big box back to my hotel in Rome!
I agree completely that Orvieto is the place...it is one of the few places where potters still hand-throw their pieces before painting...and where they do quirky modern pieces. (Most places buy factory made blanks to paint.) Have you met "Mastra Anna"-- she has a small shop...speaks only Italian...makes all here own stuff from scratch...and it perfectly charming. I carried way too many pounds of her things back to the US....

PS-- when I go I take an extra piece of check-able luggage full of bubble wrap.
Anna packages stuff well, but I still wrap again with more bubble wrap so I can check this bag without worries. Never had a piece break!

debby_fish

You guys are the voice of reason. Now here is my new question...

If I have 2-3 hours in Orvieto what should I do?

Lunch at Sette Consoli will most likely be out of the question now as we enjoy lingering over long lunches (and a bottle of wine of course). Well Ira we will be within 100 miles of this restaurant and have to pass it up this time - I have been reading and rereading your trip report of last year with a lot of interest. We will be trying Il Ritrovo in Florence.

Marilyn: We are planning on visiting the areas you recomended, San Gim (we're staying 3 km outside - probably have dinner there at least 3 times), Col'Val, Volterra, Siena and Florence and a drive on the S222. Basically we have 7 days in Sam Gim and last day in Florence. Any vineyards you would recommend in Chianti or along the S222?

Thanks again everyone.

Marilyn

debby, based on what you have told us, with 2-3 hours in Orvieto my personal recommendation would be to see the San Brizio chapel in the Duomo and then wander around town and shop for ceramics.

While you are wandering, you can have a good lunch at many places without it being a huge production. I guess I would recommend al Pozzo Etrusco on Piazza Ranieri at the very top of town. The owner/chef used to be the chef at Trattoria Etrusca, one of the best restaurants in town. You'll have a great meal at a reasonable price.

Be sure to have a gelato at the place across from the Duomo, left side as you face the Duomo, all the way to the end of the row of buildings. Some of THE best in Italy, and I know I am not alone in that opinion!

debby_fish

Thanks Marilyn. I'm getting very excited now. Just called the airlines to confirm our flights - we're all set to leave tomorrow.

I'm a little worried about crowds in Rome. I booked my tickets so far in advance that I did not realize what I had done in terms of being in Rome for Good Friday and Holy Saturday, other than book around the kids spring break vacation. In hindsight I would have stayed clear of Rome on these dates. Oh well.

BTW did you have any recommendations for vineyards in the Chianti region? Thanks for all of your advise and suggestions.

Marilyn

Sorry, I don't. We just wandered around Chianti and got lost as much as we could. It's such gorgeous countryside. But I believe there are some threads on here about various wineries, if you have time to do a search. Look forward to hearing the highlights when you return.

tashak

Debby,
Marilyn knows her stuff...that's exactly what I would do! I'd have the ice cream as late as possible in the afternoon, so you can enjoy it while you watch the golden afternoon sunlight on the fabulous facade of the Duomo. It's unlike any other in Italy!