Orvieto or Viterbo?
 

Hi,
Four of us will be arriving in Rome 3 days before a cruise in late October. Having just been to Rome, we are looking for a place to shake off the jet lag and see a bit more of Italy without getting too far from our embarkation point of Civitavecchia. I have come up with Viterbo and Orvieto. Can anyone help me decide between the two (or add another spot I have not yet discovered)? We are hoping not to rent a car and rely on transport services to get to and from the town we choose. Thanks in advance. Joanne

No question, Orvieto is a jewel.

If only the town, Orvieto. But if you decide on renting a car, Viterbo has the Villa Lante di Bagnaia with beautiful gardens and Parco dei Mostri in Bomarzo.

Having never been to Viterbo I can't compare, but if you have any interest at all in seeing the Duomo in Orvieto, I can guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Orvieto has another vote. We stayed outside Orvieto last September and spent a day in Orvieto and went to VIterbo for a wine tasting - actually got lost. Viterbo looked interesting, but Orvieto (particularly the Duomo) was wonderful.

I know you can get a train from Rome to Orvieto - don't know about Civitavecchia to Orvieto - you might have to go through Rome Termini for that.

KC