Arriving FCO from the US at 7:30 Am on a Friday. Cannot check into villa in Ovieto until Saturday. Need ideas as a good place to place for the one night before checking into villa. Does not necessarily have to be in Orvieto but perhaps someplace to give a first time traveler to Italy a chance to enjoy the countryside before settling into Orvieto. Will pick up car at FCO. Any thoughts appreciated.

Funny, we're doing just the opposite. Needed a place to spend one night going from Orvieto to FCO. Thanks to a suggestion here we chose Villa Clementina. I can't comment yet as it won't be for a couple of weeks, but we are looking forward to the scenery, the food there, and even a nice swim.

www.hotelvillaclementinia.it

Drat. Sorry. You need to make that

http://www.hotelvillaclementina.it/

jcrp , how far do you think you what to drive after you land.?

Tesana, a couple of hours drive would be ok.

doing the same shortly, just love Orvieto, it is only a 1.5 to 2 hr drive to Orvieto, 150k,

i have a few suggestions from places i have been, the Lake Bracciano region is nice. the villa Clementina is first rate, but its only a short drive out of Roma.

Tesana, you are right that Villa Clementina is only an hour from FCO or even less, but it is also less than 2 hours from Orvieto. Clearly there is no "need" to spend a night between FCO and Orvieto. Personally I'd rather have a very short drive after arrival and a slightly longer drive the next day. And surely they won't be able to get into their place in Orvieto until afternoon that second day.

Consider spending the day and night in Tarquinia where there are fabulous Etruscan remains.

Tarquinia is gorgeous , but if OP stays on the autostrada you can be in Orvieto in <2hr. i was not sure if OP wanted to do a whole new adventure added to the trip., you can stay here for friday night, been here http://www.misiaresort.it/index.php, or i usually stay at Palazzo Piccolomini right in Orvieto.
you can get to Orvieto for Lunch, a hotel will let you park until your room is ready.

How about Viterbo or Tuscania?

http://www.icastagni.com/en/movies.html

jcrp,

If your villa is not right IN Orvieto, I would recommend going ahead to Orvieto and staying at Palazzo Piccolomini. We really liked it too.

Orvieto is just a wonderful town with a lovely evening passagiata, so staying right in town one night would be a different experience than your villa, again, if not IN town.

Todi would be another choice. A bit out of the direct line of travel, but not too far from Orvieto and small enough to really enjoy an overnight. Very untouristed and very steep!

Buon viaggio

It is very hard to drive into Viterbo.

I would go to Civitella d'Agliano for a nice experience. Or maybe someplace on Lago Bolsena if you are going when it is still warm.

Dayle,
The Hotel Palazzo Piccolomini looks perfect. Thanks!

jcrp, when you get to the Palazzo Piccolomini, don't worry about parking, streets are narrow there, just go inside and they will have someone park your car for you in garage.they are very accomadating there.

this is an absolute must, just a short walk from Piccolomini; http://www.grottedelfunaro.it/eng.htm