Umbria
Slow down to a pace only found in Italian Hill Towns, Live the Farm to Table Life! Not a posh hotel stay but a true farm experience. You will help with the daily meals, make bread, pasta or pizza in outdoor wood oven. Feed the Animals - horses, cows, pigs, goats, sheep and the chickens, collect the eggs and milk the cow when possible. Make essences, soaps and body creams. Lend a hand in the mandala gardens, in the greenhouse or in the winter garden. Includes room and all meals daily with local wines with dinner Optional day Trips to Assisi the birthplace of St. Francis, Local Winery Tours, Horseback Riding for experienced riders only
May 23 - 28, 2016 Farm Stay
Contact Sue Thompson
952-448-7716
sue@justgirlstravel.com
Local Culture - Cooking Classes - Farm- Wine - History - Gardens
Congratulations Susan! We are about to experience amazing Italy with Just Girls Travel & Tours. The following final documents include all the details for our adventure to Florence, Umbria and Rome.
Please be sure and arrive at least 2 hours prior to departure. 12:45pm
Sat. May 21 Minneapolis to Amsterdam Delta # 160 3:10pm – 6:20am May 22
Sun May 22 Amsterdam to Florence Delta #9555 8:40am – 10:40am
Sun. May 22 Arrival Florence transfer from Florence airport to hotel Grand Hotel Baglioni
May 22 Florence Grand Hotel Baglioni
Piazza Unita Italiana 6
Florence, I-50123
011-(39)(0)(55)23-580
Breakfast
Sun. May 22 Afternoon visit Academia - Statue David 4pm – 5pm
Sun. May 22 Florence Evening 7pm Dinner at L RISTORANTE “ IL LATINI”
Di Torello Latini Via dei Palchetti 6r 50123 Firenze
P.I. e C.F. 05204370489 Tel. 055-210916 e-mail: info@illatini.com
L RISTORANTE “ IL LATINI” Menù
-Antipasto Toscano: prosciutto,salame,finocchiona,crostini con fegatini di pollo
-Primi Piatti: Ribollita,Zuppa di fagioli col grano farro,Pappa al pomodoro,Penne strascicate,ravioli di ricotta e spinaci al pomodoro Bean Soup and Pasta with Spinach and Ricotta
-Secondi Piatti: Arrosto misto composto da Arista di maiale,Coniglio,Pollo,Carrè di vitella,Carrè di manzo,Agnello, Bistecca alla fiorentina. Grilled Meats
-Contorni di stagione Seasoned Vegetables
-Dessert: Dolci della casa, Cantuccini col Vin Santo ( Homemade desserts , Cantuccini with Vin Santo
-Caffè , Digestivo , Acqua , Vino rosso della casa Coffee , Digestive , water , house red wine
Paid for in advance Meals: Dinner
Mon. May 23 After breakfast at our hotel we set out to Tour Florence 3 Hour guided 930am -1230pm Lunch on own – Explore Florence on own until 6pm Tour highlights: Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral, Baptistery, Gitto’s belltower), Piazza della Signoria (Palazzo Vecchio, Loggia dei Lanzi), Ponte Vecchio
Mon. May 23 Transfer to Farm Stay – our private Umbria Driver David 6pm
Mon. May 23 8pm Arrive Farm Stay Umbria
Our Umbrian Farm for 5 nights Rooms:
Stelle, single Michelle Miller
Terra, double Susan Caresse and Sue Thompson Steenhoven
Vento, single Jayne Piepenburg
Due Elementi, triple Stacia Moeller, Tamera Tripp, Michelle Tooker
Chies – Single Cris Charlesworth
May 23 – 28, 2016 5 nights Includes Meals, Wines with Lunch and dinner
Farm Stay -Monestevole s.s.
Loc. Monestevole 492
Umbertide (PG) 06019, Italia
Tel. +39 (0)759415569
Note: Cosmetics – They Supply homemade tooth paste, shower gel and shampoo. Guests can bring their own products, though we ask that they are natural and organic, due to the water recycling system.
Monestevole is located near the town of Umbertide, Umbria, 40 minutes away from Perugia, and 2 hours from Florence and Rome.
You can help with the daily meals, make bread, pasta or pizza in outdoor wood oven. Feed the Animals - horses, cows, pigs, goats, sheep and the chickens, collect the eggs and milk the cow when possible. Make essences, soaps and body creams. Lend a hand in the mandala gardens, in the greenhouse or in the winter garden. Includes room and all meals daily with local wines with dinner
Tue May 24 Farm Stay - Umbria Slowing down
Wed May 25 Farm Stay - Umbria Options Climb Monte Acuto or Migianella; walk to the water dam for a swim and picnic or visit the abandoned Monestevole Castle. There are also trips to the local markets, neighbouring organic farms and bee-keepers. Or you can relax around the pool, in the gardens, on a terrace or in a hammock!
Thu. May 26 Day trip Tour to Assisi and Orvieto plus Vineyard 11am – 1030pm
h:11am Departure from Umbertide Farm Stay.
h:11:45 start walking tour in Assisi until 2:30pm then have lunch (about 1 hour at your disposal).
h: 3:30pm drive from Assisi and arrive in Orvieto at 4:15pm (start walking tour)
h: 6:30pm Drive to Vineyard nearby to watch sunset 630pm and sip wine Tenuta Le Velette then on at 900p back to Farm Stay in Umbertide by 1030pm
FULL DAY TOUR WITH WALKING TOUR IN ASSISI AND ORVIETO AND ENTRANCE TICKETS
Fri. May 27 – Farm Stay – Paint Umbrian Hills with Sue if you want or free to do what you please
Sat. May 28 – We leave our Farm away from home and take a road to Rome & say Arrivederci to our Just Girl Michelle – as she gets transfer on to Florence Airport
Sat May 28 Transfer to Rome Private Driver Meet us at 10am take to Rome Hotel
May 28 – May 31, 2016 Amazing Rome!
Rome Hotel – Romanico Palace Rome 3 nights
Hotel Romanico Palace
Via Boncompagni 35, 37
Rome, 00187
39-06-20-39-241
Confirmation #: Confirmed 3 rooms 1 triple and 2 doubles
City Tax Not Included
A city tax of 3-7 Euros per person per night is not included and is paid directly to the hotel.
Daily Breakfast Included
Breakfast is included per person daily. Breakfast may include bread, bagels, pastries, cereal, jam, coffee, tea and juice. May also include ham, cheese, fruit, eggs and bacon. Subject to change.
Sun May 29 Day tour Rome Golf Carts 4 hours 9am – 12noon Overview of Rome
Mon May 30 Rome Morning Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel Tour 9:00am – 12:45pm
Leave 9:00am to Vile Vaticano 9:45am – 12:45pm TravelBound Voucher enclosed -
Mon May 30 Our Amazing Farewell Dinner Trastevere stroll with Exclusive Private Dinner After you’ve soaked up the allure of the village, you’ll enjoy an exclusive dinner in a private 17th century villa. Here in the heart of this picturesque neighborhood, sitting in quite possibly the most gorgeous garden you’ve ever seen, you will enjoy a genuine, regional Italian 4-course meal paired perfectly with wine. (paid in advance)
Meet 630pm Meeting Point: Meeting Point: In Piazza Trilussa, with your back to the river, the meeting point is located at the far right hand corner of the square, in front of the steps up to the fountain.
Tue May 31 Transfer From Hotel in Rome to Airport 6am
Tue May 31 Flight Home - We say arrivederci to Rome and our Italian adventure
Delta # 6606 Rome to Amsterdam 8:20am – 10:50am
Delta # 163 Amsterdam to Minneapolis 1:00pm – 3:08pm
Local Culture - Cooking Classes - Farm- Wine - History - Gardens
Assisi is a small Umbrian town in central Italy, located 12 miles (19 km) east of Perugia at an elevation of 1,300 feet (400 meters). Assisi is best known as the birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi — patron saint of Italy, founder of the Franciscan order, and one of the most popular Catholic saints in history. Assisi's main attraction is the 13th-century Basilica di San Francesco, which contains the sacred relics of Francis and beautiful frescoes of his life. And there are at least seven other churches well worth visiting for their history, beauty, and connection with Francis or his friend Clare. The town of Assisi, with its Roman ruins, winding medieval streets and sacred shrines, has been a major Catholic pilgrimage destination for centuries and is today one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy. Although Assisi has only about 3,000 inhabitants (26,000 in the larger comune of Assisi), 4 to 5 million visitors throng the small town each year. As would be expected, the city has become a bit "touristy" in the process - but its many great sites make it very much worth seeing nevertheless. And several sites outside of the city walls remain quiet and frequented mainly by pilgrims. The Sacred Destinations team spent five happy days in Assisi in April 2008 and have many photos to share! Follow a link below to begin exploring Assisi.
Orvieto — What an Italian Hill Town Should Be By Rick Steves
The town of Orvieto sits on its grand stone throne a thousand feet above the valley floor. (photo: Dominic Bonuccelli) Orvieto's cathedral is known for its dynamic facade, optical-illusion interior, and extravagantly frescoed Chapel of San Brizio. (photo: Cameron Hewitt)
Orvieto is one of the most striking, memorable, and enjoyable hill towns in central Italy. Less than 90 minutes from Rome, Orvieto sits majestically high above the valley floor atop a big chunk of tufo volcanic stone, overlooking cypress-dotted Umbrian plains. A visit here will reward you with a delightful, perfectly preserved, and virtually traffic-free world highlighted by a colorful-inside-and-out cathedral and some of Italy's best wine.
Orvieto has two distinct parts: the old-town hilltop and the dull new town below. All travelers start at the bottom, where train passengers disembark and drivers can leave their cars for free. Visitors can then drive or take an elevator or escalator to the medieval upper town. But my preferred mode is joining the locals to climb the town's natural fortress hill on the slick funicular, which deposits riders about a 10-minute walk from the heart of town.
Orvieto's cathedral gets my vote for Italy's liveliest facade. This colorful, prickly Gothic facade, divided by four pillars, has been compared to a medieval altarpiece — a gleaming mass of mosaics, stained glass, and sculpture. It's a circa 1330 class in world history, back when no one dared question "intelligent design." Things start with Creation and end with the Last Judgment.
Inside, the nave feels spacious and less cluttered than those in most Italian churches. It used to be filled with statues and fancy chapels until 1877, when the people decided they wanted to "un-Baroque" their church. The nave is also an optical illusion; the architect designed it to be wider at the back and narrower at the altar, making it appear longer than it is. Windows of thin sliced alabaster bathe the interior in a soft light.
The cathedral's highlight is the Chapel of San Brizio, featuring Luca Signorelli's brilliantly lit frescoes of the Day of Judgment and Life after Death. Although the frescoes refer to themes of resurrection and salvation, they also reflect the turbulent political and religious atmosphere of Italy in the late 1400s. Signorelli's ability to tell stories through human actions and gestures, rather than symbols, inspired his younger contemporary, Michelangelo, who meticulously studied Signorelli's work.
Behind the Duomo, a complex of medieval palaces called Palazzi Papali shows off the city's best devotional art. Not to be missed is the marble Mary and Child, who sit beneath a bronze canopy, attended by exquisite angels. This proto-Renaissance ensemble, dating from around 1300, once filled the niche in the center of the cathedral's facade (where a replica sits today).
Orvieto also boasts a rich underground world. The town sits atop a vast underground network of Etruscan-era caves, wells, and tunnels. Guided tours of the medieval caves offer a glimpse into how these ancient Italians lived, from the remains of an old olive press to a pigeon coop where the birds were reared for roasting. Even now, you'll still see pigeon (piccione) dishes featured on many Orvieto menus.
St. Patrick's Well — 175 feet deep, 45 feet wide, and 496 steps down — impresses modern engineers to this day. Thanks to its natural hilltop fortification, Orvieto served as a 16th-century place of refuge for the pope. Wanting to ensure he had water during a time of siege, he built this extravagant well, with two spiral stairways leading down to a bridge from which people could scoop up water. The double-helix design was crucial for allowing efficient traffic flow (imagine if donkeys and people, balancing jugs of water, had to go up and down the same stairway). Digging this was a huge project. Even today, when faced with a difficult task, Italians say, "It's like digging St. Patrick's Well."
Of course, no visit to Orvieto is complete without trying its famous Classico wine. One of my favorite places to do this is at the Tenuta Le Velette winery, just outside Orvieto, where Cecilia and Corrado Bottai welcome visitors who make an appointment. As the volcanic soil is very rich in minerals, grape vines thrive here, as they have since Etruscan times. In fact, the Bottais still keep bottles in the same cellar where the Etruscans used to store their wines. Dug from tufo stone, the cellar provides the perfect conditions for aging wine.
While Orvieto is busy with tourists during the day, the town is quiet after dark. The back streets feel oblivious to the crush of modern-day tourism. Evocative lanes seem to keep the mystery of the Middle Ages alive. I like to close the evening with an after-dinner stroll, when the town is lamp-lit and romantic, then find a perfect spot to sit and simply savor the quiet thrill of a hill town after dark.
- See more at: https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/read/articles/orvieto-what-an-italian-hill-town-should-be#.dpuf
Total Costs: $4769.41
Airfare $1530
Farm Stay $1580
Florence/Rome Accommodations $743.41
Included Tours/Transfers /meals $916
May 22 Airport to Florence Hotel
May 22 Dinner in Florence RISTORANTE “ IL LATINI”
May 22 Florence David plus tips plus enterance to accedemia
May 23 Florence Historic Tour
May 23 Florence to Farm
May 26 – Day trip to Assisi and Orvieto plus Vineyard at sunset
May 28 Transfer to Rome (instead of train)
May 29 Tour – morning golf cart tour of Rome 4 hour
May 30 Vatican Tour/Sistine Chapel Private
May 30 Rome Trastevere Walk and Dinner in a private 17th century Villa
May 31 Transfer Rome Hotel to Airport
May 23 - 28, 2016 Farm Stay
Contact Sue Thompson
952-448-7716
sue@justgirlstravel.com
Local Culture - Cooking Classes - Farm- Wine - History - Gardens
Congratulations Susan! We are about to experience amazing Italy with Just Girls Travel & Tours. The following final documents include all the details for our adventure to Florence, Umbria and Rome.
Please be sure and arrive at least 2 hours prior to departure. 12:45pm
Sat. May 21 Minneapolis to Amsterdam Delta # 160 3:10pm – 6:20am May 22
Sun May 22 Amsterdam to Florence Delta #9555 8:40am – 10:40am
Sun. May 22 Arrival Florence transfer from Florence airport to hotel Grand Hotel Baglioni
May 22 Florence Grand Hotel Baglioni
Piazza Unita Italiana 6
Florence, I-50123
011-(39)(0)(55)23-580
Breakfast
Sun. May 22 Afternoon visit Academia - Statue David 4pm – 5pm
Sun. May 22 Florence Evening 7pm Dinner at L RISTORANTE “ IL LATINI”
Di Torello Latini Via dei Palchetti 6r 50123 Firenze
P.I. e C.F. 05204370489 Tel. 055-210916 e-mail: info@illatini.com
L RISTORANTE “ IL LATINI” Menù
-Antipasto Toscano: prosciutto,salame,finocchiona,crostini con fegatini di pollo
-Primi Piatti: Ribollita,Zuppa di fagioli col grano farro,Pappa al pomodoro,Penne strascicate,ravioli di ricotta e spinaci al pomodoro Bean Soup and Pasta with Spinach and Ricotta
-Secondi Piatti: Arrosto misto composto da Arista di maiale,Coniglio,Pollo,Carrè di vitella,Carrè di manzo,Agnello, Bistecca alla fiorentina. Grilled Meats
-Contorni di stagione Seasoned Vegetables
-Dessert: Dolci della casa, Cantuccini col Vin Santo ( Homemade desserts , Cantuccini with Vin Santo
-Caffè , Digestivo , Acqua , Vino rosso della casa Coffee , Digestive , water , house red wine
Paid for in advance Meals: Dinner
Mon. May 23 After breakfast at our hotel we set out to Tour Florence 3 Hour guided 930am -1230pm Lunch on own – Explore Florence on own until 6pm Tour highlights: Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral, Baptistery, Gitto’s belltower), Piazza della Signoria (Palazzo Vecchio, Loggia dei Lanzi), Ponte Vecchio
Mon. May 23 Transfer to Farm Stay – our private Umbria Driver David 6pm
Mon. May 23 8pm Arrive Farm Stay Umbria
Our Umbrian Farm for 5 nights Rooms:
Stelle, single Michelle Miller
Terra, double Susan Caresse and Sue Thompson Steenhoven
Vento, single Jayne Piepenburg
Due Elementi, triple Stacia Moeller, Tamera Tripp, Michelle Tooker
Chies – Single Cris Charlesworth
May 23 – 28, 2016 5 nights Includes Meals, Wines with Lunch and dinner
Farm Stay -Monestevole s.s.
Loc. Monestevole 492
Umbertide (PG) 06019, Italia
Tel. +39 (0)759415569
Note: Cosmetics – They Supply homemade tooth paste, shower gel and shampoo. Guests can bring their own products, though we ask that they are natural and organic, due to the water recycling system.
Monestevole is located near the town of Umbertide, Umbria, 40 minutes away from Perugia, and 2 hours from Florence and Rome.
You can help with the daily meals, make bread, pasta or pizza in outdoor wood oven. Feed the Animals - horses, cows, pigs, goats, sheep and the chickens, collect the eggs and milk the cow when possible. Make essences, soaps and body creams. Lend a hand in the mandala gardens, in the greenhouse or in the winter garden. Includes room and all meals daily with local wines with dinner
Tue May 24 Farm Stay - Umbria Slowing down
Wed May 25 Farm Stay - Umbria Options Climb Monte Acuto or Migianella; walk to the water dam for a swim and picnic or visit the abandoned Monestevole Castle. There are also trips to the local markets, neighbouring organic farms and bee-keepers. Or you can relax around the pool, in the gardens, on a terrace or in a hammock!
Thu. May 26 Day trip Tour to Assisi and Orvieto plus Vineyard 11am – 1030pm
h:11am Departure from Umbertide Farm Stay.
h:11:45 start walking tour in Assisi until 2:30pm then have lunch (about 1 hour at your disposal).
h: 3:30pm drive from Assisi and arrive in Orvieto at 4:15pm (start walking tour)
h: 6:30pm Drive to Vineyard nearby to watch sunset 630pm and sip wine Tenuta Le Velette then on at 900p back to Farm Stay in Umbertide by 1030pm
FULL DAY TOUR WITH WALKING TOUR IN ASSISI AND ORVIETO AND ENTRANCE TICKETS
Fri. May 27 – Farm Stay – Paint Umbrian Hills with Sue if you want or free to do what you please
Sat. May 28 – We leave our Farm away from home and take a road to Rome & say Arrivederci to our Just Girl Michelle – as she gets transfer on to Florence Airport
Sat May 28 Transfer to Rome Private Driver Meet us at 10am take to Rome Hotel
May 28 – May 31, 2016 Amazing Rome!
Rome Hotel – Romanico Palace Rome 3 nights
Hotel Romanico Palace
Via Boncompagni 35, 37
Rome, 00187
39-06-20-39-241
Confirmation #: Confirmed 3 rooms 1 triple and 2 doubles
City Tax Not Included
A city tax of 3-7 Euros per person per night is not included and is paid directly to the hotel.
Daily Breakfast Included
Breakfast is included per person daily. Breakfast may include bread, bagels, pastries, cereal, jam, coffee, tea and juice. May also include ham, cheese, fruit, eggs and bacon. Subject to change.
Sun May 29 Day tour Rome Golf Carts 4 hours 9am – 12noon Overview of Rome
Mon May 30 Rome Morning Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel Tour 9:00am – 12:45pm
Leave 9:00am to Vile Vaticano 9:45am – 12:45pm TravelBound Voucher enclosed -
Mon May 30 Our Amazing Farewell Dinner Trastevere stroll with Exclusive Private Dinner After you’ve soaked up the allure of the village, you’ll enjoy an exclusive dinner in a private 17th century villa. Here in the heart of this picturesque neighborhood, sitting in quite possibly the most gorgeous garden you’ve ever seen, you will enjoy a genuine, regional Italian 4-course meal paired perfectly with wine. (paid in advance)
Meet 630pm Meeting Point: Meeting Point: In Piazza Trilussa, with your back to the river, the meeting point is located at the far right hand corner of the square, in front of the steps up to the fountain.
Tue May 31 Transfer From Hotel in Rome to Airport 6am
Tue May 31 Flight Home - We say arrivederci to Rome and our Italian adventure
Delta # 6606 Rome to Amsterdam 8:20am – 10:50am
Delta # 163 Amsterdam to Minneapolis 1:00pm – 3:08pm
Local Culture - Cooking Classes - Farm- Wine - History - Gardens
Assisi is a small Umbrian town in central Italy, located 12 miles (19 km) east of Perugia at an elevation of 1,300 feet (400 meters). Assisi is best known as the birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi — patron saint of Italy, founder of the Franciscan order, and one of the most popular Catholic saints in history. Assisi's main attraction is the 13th-century Basilica di San Francesco, which contains the sacred relics of Francis and beautiful frescoes of his life. And there are at least seven other churches well worth visiting for their history, beauty, and connection with Francis or his friend Clare. The town of Assisi, with its Roman ruins, winding medieval streets and sacred shrines, has been a major Catholic pilgrimage destination for centuries and is today one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy. Although Assisi has only about 3,000 inhabitants (26,000 in the larger comune of Assisi), 4 to 5 million visitors throng the small town each year. As would be expected, the city has become a bit "touristy" in the process - but its many great sites make it very much worth seeing nevertheless. And several sites outside of the city walls remain quiet and frequented mainly by pilgrims. The Sacred Destinations team spent five happy days in Assisi in April 2008 and have many photos to share! Follow a link below to begin exploring Assisi.
Orvieto — What an Italian Hill Town Should Be By Rick Steves
The town of Orvieto sits on its grand stone throne a thousand feet above the valley floor. (photo: Dominic Bonuccelli) Orvieto's cathedral is known for its dynamic facade, optical-illusion interior, and extravagantly frescoed Chapel of San Brizio. (photo: Cameron Hewitt)
Orvieto is one of the most striking, memorable, and enjoyable hill towns in central Italy. Less than 90 minutes from Rome, Orvieto sits majestically high above the valley floor atop a big chunk of tufo volcanic stone, overlooking cypress-dotted Umbrian plains. A visit here will reward you with a delightful, perfectly preserved, and virtually traffic-free world highlighted by a colorful-inside-and-out cathedral and some of Italy's best wine.
Orvieto has two distinct parts: the old-town hilltop and the dull new town below. All travelers start at the bottom, where train passengers disembark and drivers can leave their cars for free. Visitors can then drive or take an elevator or escalator to the medieval upper town. But my preferred mode is joining the locals to climb the town's natural fortress hill on the slick funicular, which deposits riders about a 10-minute walk from the heart of town.
Orvieto's cathedral gets my vote for Italy's liveliest facade. This colorful, prickly Gothic facade, divided by four pillars, has been compared to a medieval altarpiece — a gleaming mass of mosaics, stained glass, and sculpture. It's a circa 1330 class in world history, back when no one dared question "intelligent design." Things start with Creation and end with the Last Judgment.
Inside, the nave feels spacious and less cluttered than those in most Italian churches. It used to be filled with statues and fancy chapels until 1877, when the people decided they wanted to "un-Baroque" their church. The nave is also an optical illusion; the architect designed it to be wider at the back and narrower at the altar, making it appear longer than it is. Windows of thin sliced alabaster bathe the interior in a soft light.
The cathedral's highlight is the Chapel of San Brizio, featuring Luca Signorelli's brilliantly lit frescoes of the Day of Judgment and Life after Death. Although the frescoes refer to themes of resurrection and salvation, they also reflect the turbulent political and religious atmosphere of Italy in the late 1400s. Signorelli's ability to tell stories through human actions and gestures, rather than symbols, inspired his younger contemporary, Michelangelo, who meticulously studied Signorelli's work.
Behind the Duomo, a complex of medieval palaces called Palazzi Papali shows off the city's best devotional art. Not to be missed is the marble Mary and Child, who sit beneath a bronze canopy, attended by exquisite angels. This proto-Renaissance ensemble, dating from around 1300, once filled the niche in the center of the cathedral's facade (where a replica sits today).
Orvieto also boasts a rich underground world. The town sits atop a vast underground network of Etruscan-era caves, wells, and tunnels. Guided tours of the medieval caves offer a glimpse into how these ancient Italians lived, from the remains of an old olive press to a pigeon coop where the birds were reared for roasting. Even now, you'll still see pigeon (piccione) dishes featured on many Orvieto menus.
St. Patrick's Well — 175 feet deep, 45 feet wide, and 496 steps down — impresses modern engineers to this day. Thanks to its natural hilltop fortification, Orvieto served as a 16th-century place of refuge for the pope. Wanting to ensure he had water during a time of siege, he built this extravagant well, with two spiral stairways leading down to a bridge from which people could scoop up water. The double-helix design was crucial for allowing efficient traffic flow (imagine if donkeys and people, balancing jugs of water, had to go up and down the same stairway). Digging this was a huge project. Even today, when faced with a difficult task, Italians say, "It's like digging St. Patrick's Well."
Of course, no visit to Orvieto is complete without trying its famous Classico wine. One of my favorite places to do this is at the Tenuta Le Velette winery, just outside Orvieto, where Cecilia and Corrado Bottai welcome visitors who make an appointment. As the volcanic soil is very rich in minerals, grape vines thrive here, as they have since Etruscan times. In fact, the Bottais still keep bottles in the same cellar where the Etruscans used to store their wines. Dug from tufo stone, the cellar provides the perfect conditions for aging wine.
While Orvieto is busy with tourists during the day, the town is quiet after dark. The back streets feel oblivious to the crush of modern-day tourism. Evocative lanes seem to keep the mystery of the Middle Ages alive. I like to close the evening with an after-dinner stroll, when the town is lamp-lit and romantic, then find a perfect spot to sit and simply savor the quiet thrill of a hill town after dark.
- See more at: https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/read/articles/orvieto-what-an-italian-hill-town-should-be#.dpuf
Total Costs: $4769.41
Airfare $1530
Farm Stay $1580
Florence/Rome Accommodations $743.41
Included Tours/Transfers /meals $916
May 22 Airport to Florence Hotel
May 22 Dinner in Florence RISTORANTE “ IL LATINI”
May 22 Florence David plus tips plus enterance to accedemia
May 23 Florence Historic Tour
May 23 Florence to Farm
May 26 – Day trip to Assisi and Orvieto plus Vineyard at sunset
May 28 Transfer to Rome (instead of train)
May 29 Tour – morning golf cart tour of Rome 4 hour
May 30 Vatican Tour/Sistine Chapel Private
May 30 Rome Trastevere Walk and Dinner in a private 17th century Villa
May 31 Transfer Rome Hotel to Airport
