I find it very interesting that you can't leave your luggage. WHen we were there in October of 2002 we were able to. There was a left luggage sign on the platform. We had to ask at the ticket counter and they directed us to talk to the police officer supervising the station. He was able to open the left luggage room and we left our bags for the day. They made certain that we knew that everyone went on lunch from 12 to 2 and so we wouldn't be able to pick our stuff up during that time.

Has the official policy been changed? When you were they had they taken down the luggage sign from the platform?

Thank you for the heads up , Betsy. Is the hotel Duomo conveniently located for a first time trip to Orvieto?

The hotel is in a great location near the Duomo. It doesn't have a view of the Duomo from the rooms, but as soon as you step out the front door and look up the short flight of stone steps to the right, there it is!

Palazzo Piccolomini is a lovely small hotel in Orvieto. I've stayed there twice. The location is near the escalator coming up from the parking area "underneath." It's at the opposite end from the funicular, if you are arriving in Orvieto from the train station though. You would have to carry or pull your bags a little ways. But it's a very nice hotel.
Carol

We also stayed at Plazzo Piccolomini and thought it was very nice. We were driving, but we parked in the parking structure and the hotel came and picked us up with our light luggage. There is also a town shuttle bus which I'm sure you could catch from the funicular.

Buon viaggio!

The Gambero Rosso website lists this information for Orvieto:

Orvieto. Town Hall Via Garibaldi 8, tel. 0763 061, Tourist Office tel. 0763 341 772, 0763 341 911, 0763. 343 658, 0763 344 433.

It might be worth calling to see if there is indeed a left luggage facility, and for current hours of the underground tour.

The Italian National Tourist Office in New York (or London, or wherever you are) might be able to provide an email address for tourist information. I didn't come up with one, but only looked for a moment.

Matrexx and tuscan...believe me! There is no luggage storage at the train station in Orvieto. In RS's 2004 book, it says there is. Unfortunately, we did not buy his 2005 book before our trip this past April.

So, we went on the assumption that his book was correct. Arrived at the station in AM and spend 20 minutes trying to find the left luggage area. NO ONE spoke English. Finally, a local who did took pity on us and spoke to the people at the ticket counter and to news stand.

They told him that they don't store luggage any more because of hassels with the local police. Something about them wanting to be able to go through the bags and visitors being angry about it.

This local was the one who suggested we try to pay one of the hotels to watch our bags.

So, I know this to be true from first hand experience. Sorry, still alittle raw from this experience. The thing that was even more frustrating is that we actually paid for a phone consult with one of RS's staff and he told me that there was still luggage storage there! Money well spent, NOT!

Good luck with your trips everyone! And please don't miss Orvieto. We loved our day there once the luggage situation was resolved.

Orvieto is a wonderful town to spend time in. We stayed at Piccolomini four nights, had a car, and used Orvieto as a base for some day trips.
We thoroughly enjoyed our time there. There are many good restaurants and lots of interesting shops, plus a great view from high on the hill.
I would agree with leaving the car in the lower parking and arranging for the hotel to pick you us, or drive in, drop bags, and then let the hotel park your car. The streets are VERY NARROW and winding, and it is easy to make a wrong turn and get lost. (I won't go into the slight "mishap" w/rental car) LOL Lucky for us, DH had added on insurance! We breathed a big sigh of relief once we made it down the hill and onto the main road again.
Carol

Hi motor_city_girl. Thanks for the info. I am planning a trip next summer w/ our 2 girls ( ages 10 & 15 ). Based on all of the above tips I think I'll guess the answer to this question but I'm wondering if you think 2 nights in Orvieto would be time well spent ( vs. only 1 )? Thanks for any feedback.

oops - me again. I also meant to ask - I'm trying to decide if we should arrive via train or rental car. We'll be flying into Rome and I'm thinking of either heading directly to Orvieto or visiting there upon our return to Rome from the Amalfi Coast ( eventhough, in either case, I realize I'm going out of our way. Seems worth the visit tho).With the girls and some luggage, wondered if one mode of transport might make more sense than the other.Thx again for any comments.

If you are already renting a car, that may work better with two kids. We had no problem with train travel, and we took A LOT of luggage.

Two days with one over night in Orvieto is perfect. There were some school-aged kids there on a field trip and they all seem to be having fun. The underground tour was neat, I bet your girls would like that.

If you have a car, look into Albergo Rosati on the web. A few km south of the city. Large charming rooms and an elaborate cena that doesn't end until the grappa is gone.

Met some people there who spend THREE WEEKS there every year. Its that good.

Orvieto is a great place to pick up or drop off a car on your way to or from Rome and would save you the hassle of driving near Rome. I'd arrive in Rome and train to Orvieto, spend one or two nights there, and then pick up your car. Check out AutoEurope at www.autoeurope.com. AE is a broker that many people on this board have used with satisfaction. I believe they use Hertz in Orvieto. You'd pick up within easy walking distance of the base of the funicular. Limit the girls to one 22" bag each. See packing threads using the search function at the top of the page.

If you happen to pick up and/or drop off a car in Orvieto, Hertz is very close to the train station - and next to the funicular. They will watch your luggage at no charge.

As lovely as some of the places outside Orvieto are, I would definitely stay in the town itself if you will only be there one or two nights. Your girls will enjoy the evening stroll and all the activity in the main piazza.