Discover the charms of medieval Todi and Orvieto in the inland Umbria region through their extraordinary architecture, on enlightening walking tours and by exploring unusual attractions such as an underground city.
NOTE: This tour not recommended for guests with walking difficulties or those who utilize a wheelchair or scooter due to the amount of walking, steps, cobbled surfaces and lack of elevators at some sites.
DAY 1
Upon exiting Customs in Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport, you will be met and transferred to the Sina Bernini Bristol Hotel. Check-in is at 3:00pm. The remainder of the day will be at leisure with meals on your own.
DAY 2
Following breakfast at the hotel and check-out, you will drive to Umbria, a region renowned for its natural beauty, historical heritage and magnificent artistry. Upon arriving in the town of Todi, you will follow the guide through the most historical district, which reflects the wealth and prosperity of the Middle Ages.
You will see landmarks from various time periods, including the co-cathedral church and three palaces: the Palazzo del Capitano, the Palazzo del Priore and the Palazzo del Popolo, which overlooks Todi’s main square. Much of this part of town was built above hundreds of ancient Roman cisterns, which were used until 1925.
Following a bit of free time to explore further, you will drive to the vast Todini Winery, which sprawls across a hilltop in the heart of Umbria. It is part of an ancient 14th-century property with a splendid view of Todi. There, you will enjoy a lunch of seasonal dishes with ingredients produced at the estate, thoughtfully paired with premium wines.
Afterwards, you will drive through the enchanting Umbrian countryside to Orvieto, a city situated on the flat summit of a large butte of volcanic tuff. The city rises dramatically above the almost-vertical faces of the cliffs, which are topped with defensive walls built of the same stone, called tufa.
Follow check-in at the hotel and time freshen up, you will meet your guide in the lobby and walk to a local restaurant for dinner. The evening will be spent at the hotel.
DAY 3
Following breakfast at the hotel, you will begin a walking tour of Orvieto. One of the highlights will be St. Patrick's Well, a 16th-century masterwork built by architect-engineer Antonio da Sangallo the Younger of Florence. You will reach the central well shaft by walking down one of the two helical ramps that surround the walls of the shaft. One ramp was originally intended for mules to carry empty water vessels down to the spring, while mules carrying full water vessels ascended the other ramp.
After observing this extraordinary well, you will visit the majestic cathedral, which was constructed in the transitional Romanesque-Gothic style. The façade of the Duomo is particularly spectacular.
A delightful lunch of traditional Umbrian dishes at a local restaurant follows, after which you will explore more of Orvieto, including its underground city. This labyrinth of about 1,200 grottoes was hand-carved out of the rock over more than 2,500 years of continual digging.
Time will also be allotted for shopping in Orvieto before returning to the hotel. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.
DAY 4
Following breakfast and check-out from the hotel, you will drive to the village of Civita di Bagnoregio. As you approach, you will see that it can only be reached via a pedestrian bridge from the adjoining village. Despite being admired for its architecture, Civita di Bagnoregio is slowly eroding as it sits on a friable volcanic tuff overlooking the Tiber River Valley.
During free time in the village, you may see highlights such as medieval houses, the church of San Donato, Alemanni Palace and the remains of the house where St. Bonaventure was born. You will also have time to relax in one of the many cafés and meander the picturesque lanes and alleyways.
Afterwards, you will drive to the pier to embark your cruise ship.
Land Program Details Step by Step
• The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
• Itineraries with up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at the hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.
• The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
• Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their hotel space released.
Extra Nights
• All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the hotel that is used on the FIRST NIGHT of your land program
• If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until day 2 of the program.
• If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.
• If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
DAY 1
Arrive at the Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport in Rome and pass through Customs
Transfer to the Sina Bernini Bristol or similar hotel, where you will spend the evening.
The remainder of the day will be at your leisure with dinner on your own
Check-in at the hotel is 3:00pm. Although every effort will be made to have rooms available sooner, this cannot be guaranteed.
Meet and Greet and transfers
• Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
• Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
• Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Transfers are not included for guests arriving independently before the program start date.
• If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
DAY 2
AM Breakfast at the hotel
8:00am Check-out and drive to Todi
10:30am Arrive in Todi for a visit
12:30pm Drive to the winery
12:45pm Winery visit, tasting and lunch
3:15pm Drive to Orvieto
4:30pm Arrive at the hotel
7:00pm Walk to a nearby restaurant for dinner
9:00pm Walk back to the hotel
Overnight at Palazzo Piccolomini Orvieto or similar hotel
DAY 3
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Begin touring Orvieto
12:00pm Lunch at a traditional restaurant
1:30pm Walk to the Orvieto underground city
1:45pm Visit the Orvieto underground city
3:30pm Return to the hotel
Remainder of the day at leisure
Dinner on your own
Overnight at Palazzo Piccolomini Orvieto or similar hotel
DAY 4
AM Breakfast at the hotel
8:30am Hotel check-out
9:30am Free time in Civita di Bagnoregio
12:45pm Drive to the port in Civitavecchia
2:00pm Arrive at the ship for embarkation
Expected Weather
April — 68° Fahrenheit (20° Celsius)
May/June/September — 78° Fahrenheit (28° Celsius)
July/August — 86° Fahrenheit (30° Celsius)
November — 59° Fahrenheit (15° Celsius)
What to Bring
Dress is generally casual, although when visiting churches, your knees and shoulders must be covered. Bring good walking shoes, a hat, weather-appropriate clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen.
Local Currency
The Euro. U.S. dollars may be accepted in some stores.
Electricity
220 volts. We suggest bringing a travel adaptor for electric devices.
Documents and Visa Requirements
A valid passport is required for travel
Hotels
Sina Bernini Bristol Hotel
Piazza Barberini, 23 - 00187 Rome, Italy
Phone: +39 06 488931
Palazzo Piccolomini Orvieto Hotel
Piazza de' Ranieri, 36 - 05018 Orvieto TR, Italy
Phone: +39 0763 341743
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure then you will be staying at the hotels listed in this program.
Program Includes for guests
• 1 night at the Sina Bernini Bristol Hotel – including breakfast (or similar hotel)
• 2 nights at the Palazzo Piccolomini Orvieto Hotel – including breakfast (or similar hotel)
• Touring and entrances per the itinerary
• Winery visit with tasting and lunch on Day 2
• Dinner on Day 2
• Lunch on Day 3
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights independently of the cruise line are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes for guests
• Meals or services not mentioned above
• Gratuities to drivers and guides
• Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged
activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.
All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Mid-cruise overland programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty.
