Since I have not been to Orvieto I haven't joined this conversation, but now that you are booked in Perugia:

I have been there two times (once for an overnight and once just for the day) and I really like this city. It is that - a city - albeit a hilltop one, so is bigger and busier than a hilltown. But the main interests for the traveler are located in the old upper city.

The main piazza w/ restaurants mentioned by posters above is where we also ate. I think we ate carpaccio at the place 'toni' described. For a gorgeous cafe with beautiful pastries, try Sandri's (on the pedestrian street before you get to the piazza).

Frankly, I am not a huge fan of Italian desserts/pastries (gelato excluded!) but the ones we tried here were quite good.

There are some little streets running off from the main piazza with small 'whole in the wall' cafes and bars that were atmospheric and fun.

I loved that on a Weds night at 1:00 a.m. the piazza was buzzing with students, travleler, and locals. By the way, besides the Universities there, there are a lot of language schools, so not all the 'students' are twenty-somethings.

The Etruscan well was interesting to visit, as was a small chapel (the Vasari Chapel, I believe) with lovely Raphael paintings behind the altar. We were not aware of the Chapel and kind of stumbled upon it. Wow - a highlight of my last trip.

Perugia is a good location for seeing Umbria -Assisi, Spello, Bevagna, Montefalco, Gubbio, etc.

okay, sorry for typo: travelers, of course!

Thank you everyone for the tips. I'm really looking forward to seeing Perugia and Assissi.

sac - I'm not sure we will get a terrace. I requested one, but I'm sure there is no guarantee.

I really think you will easily spend the day in Assisi! There are so many beautiful churches - the Basilica of St Francis, St Claire, San Rufino, Minerva. And do not miss the one in Santa Maria degli Angeli(with the small chapel inside) - very close to the train station.

How do I envying you ... and long for Assisi!

My English is bad but not this bad! Should be "how do I envy you"

You are going to have a wonderful time!

In Perugia do not miss my favourite small building in Italy- the Oratorio of San Bernardino on the Piazza San Francesco. Wonderful 15th c. facade by Agostino di Duccio. Perugia also has great art galleries- Galleria Nazionale dell'Umbria on the Corso Vannucci- stunning altarpieces by Fra Angelico and Piero della Francesca. You will have a great time. Believe me!

My sisters and I went to Orvieto last summer and it was one of my favorite places. If you do go there check out a hill town near by called Chivita. Its in the Rick Steves' guidebook. Chivita is a small town/medevil built on a hilltop. to get to the town you can take a bus and then you walk across a footbridge. It was a small and peaceful town and was something I had never experienced. I have traveled all over europe and never experienced anything like it.

we also stayed at a B&B in Orvieto that had just been renovated. It was around 60-70Euro a great bargain.

I also do agree with the one message above -- spend more time in Rome than Florence.

OK, I'll be the one to post the spellig note: that's Civita (Civita di Bagnoreggio). Just in case you try to find it on a map.

Glad it was you and not me, tomaso.;) I'm terrified of being arrested for being one of the spelling police.

But I don't mind being a member of the pronunciation police:
Civita, pronounced CHEE'veeta.

Thank you everyone for your advice. I've been taking notes. We are both really looking forward to getting to Italy (and away from work).

And I'm slightly redfaced at my "spellig" in my own language. OK, my typing.

Last Friday, I did a quick day trip from Rome to Orvieto. Absolutely charming! Well worth the trip to see the sriped duomo. Only 1 hour from Rome by train. Left Rome at 9 AM, arrived at 10, walked around, had a great lunch and was back in Rome by 3.