A DAY TRIP TO ORVIETO FROM EL MARSAM

The old city of Orvieto has changed little in the last 500 years.  Its spectacular Duomo, one of Italy’s finest Gothic cathedrals, and its Orvieto Classico white wine are just two reasons why the city attracts so many visitors every year.  Of ancient Etruscan origin, it became rich through trade from the Tyrrhenian Sea.  The Romans took over in 264 BC and virtually destroyed the town.  It was revived in the Middle Ages and eventually came under Papal control.

Besides the upper level of the town, with its quaint shops, galleries and wine cellars, there is an underground Orvieto to be explored.  South of Piazza del Duomo is the underground complex of the Santa Chiara mill, one of the numerous cave and passage systems dug into the tufa mass over the centuries and put to various uses, such as cellars, reservoirs, wells, and presses, to name a few.

There are many fine restaurants and enoteche that offer wine tasting.   At the height of tourist season, Orvieto can be crowded but it is well worth a visit. Even if a little more distant from El Marsam – we like to recommend a stopover in Orvieto for our guests who are traveling by car to or from Rome. 

In an effort to make the discovery of Umbria and Tuscany more convenient and enjoyable for our guests, we have prepared and provide an up-to-date guest booklet with day trip itineraries from El Marsam.  These pages include directions, restaurant and shopping suggestions, and sights to be seen.