This private shore excursion from Civitavecchia travels north into Umbria to visit two of the most visually striking hilltop villages in Italy. Neither Civita di Bagnoregio nor Orvieto appears on standard Rome shore excursions, making this the tour for travelers who want to see a completely different side of central Italy. Your driver guide meets you at the pier and accompanies you for the full 8 to 9 hour day.
Your first stop en route is Montefiascone, a medieval hilltop town set above the shores of Lake Bolsena, the largest volcanic lake in Europe. You make a brief photo stop here before continuing to Civita di Bagnoregio.
Civita di Bagnoregio is one of the most extraordinary villages in Italy. The town was founded by the Etruscans more than 2,500 years ago on a plateau of volcanic tufa rock. Over centuries, erosion steadily ate away at the cliff walls supporting the plateau. In 1794 an earthquake destroyed the natural land bridge connecting Civita to the neighboring town of Bagnoregio, cutting it off from the surrounding valley. Today the only access is a 300-meter pedestrian footbridge that spans the canyon. The village has just 15 permanent residents, no cars, no hotels, and only a handful of restaurants and shops. Walking its narrow stone streets is an experience unlike anywhere else in Italy. The Italian government has designated Civita a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage status.
From Civita, you drive 30 minutes to Orvieto, a larger hilltop town built on a plateau of volcanic tufa stone rising steeply above the surrounding valley floor. The town has been continuously inhabited since Etruscan times and reached its medieval peak as a papal stronghold. The dominant landmark is the Cathedral of Orvieto, considered one of the finest examples of Italian Gothic architecture. Its facade, decorated with gold mosaics, sculptures, and alternating horizontal bands of black basalt and white travertine marble, draws comparisons to a medieval illuminated manuscript. The interior houses the Chapel of San Brizio, with frescoes by Luca Signorelli that are credited as a direct influence on Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling.
Other highlights in Orvieto include St. Patrick's Well, commissioned by Pope Clement VII in 1527 following the Sack of Rome. The well is 53 meters deep and features two interlocking spiral staircases -- one for the descent and one for the ascent -- designed so that donkeys carrying water would never cross paths. You also have time to explore Orvieto's narrow streets, browse the ceramic shops, and sample the local Orvieto Classico white wine before returning to Civitavecchia.
Contact us if you would like to customize this Civitavecchia shore excursion or arrange transportation for a larger group.
Review Location- Civitavecchia 
