Chianti.
Orvieto.
Siena.

- Traveler: The Duomo is Orvieto's crowning glory. Among the finest of Italy's cathedrals, it is visible for miles from the flatlands below the "rupe" (tufa rock). It's facade is resplendent with unequaled luminosity as the setting sun dazzles it's gem-colored mosaics and glowing marble. Covered with a profusion of statues, carvings and intricate columns, the facade of the Duomo is lavish and stands in stark contrast to the immense grandeur of its cool, dark, interior.

- Traveler: Check out the Etruscan Necropolis, just a few minutes outside the city, or St. Patrick's Well, famous for its double helix staircase descending 200ft into the earth.

- Guest: We absolutely loved Villa Belvedere, near Orvieto ! It exceeded all of our expectations. we would absolutely recommend this villa and rent it again if possible. The Owners  are truly wonderful. They were most attentive and provided so much. Their son  is very nice and speaks English. They were most generous and let us a wonderful and delicious dinner at first night. Once again thank you to our gracious hosts for allowing us to stay in their lovely home so immaculate and comfortable. Nicer than any top rated timeshare resort we've stayed in.
 

Traveler: As you approach Orvieto from the West, you begin to see the city as you do hairpin curves. Orvieto is splendid. The Gothic cathedral is a mosaic delight, brightly lit in the afternoon sun. We drove back up into the hilltop city and followed the signs to the cathedral. All of a sudden, there it was at the end of the vista, down the narrow street. We dumped the car in a parking lot, found a hotel, and then shlepped the suitcases to the Hotel Duomo. We could see the cathedral from our hotel window. Again, the evening strolling and supper were splendid. We ate at a restaurant on the piazza of the Palazzo del Popolo (palace of the people), a quirky, almost deco/functionalist though medieval palace. The next morning, we visited the archeological museum and the chapel decorated by Luca Signorelli. And we climbed down into the Renaissance cistern that was built as a water source in case of a siege. It has a great double spiral staircase so that downward traffic is separated from upward.