October Excursion

Our 2021 NCL cruise included a stop in Rome. However, due to Covid-19 restrictions by the Italian government we could ONLY venture into Italy on a NCL provided excursion. The Roman excursions were to all the placed I had seen at least twice before; therefore, I opted to try out the Orvieto excursion.

Embarking on our tour bus we motored from the seaport of Ciccivechia to the hilltop town of Orvieto in Umbria. Of course, along the way the Italian countryside provide a procession of iconic images for my tourmates.

Arriving in Orvieto

Our bus is simply too big to negotiate the old town of Orvieto high on the hilltop, so we were of loaded at the funicular station for our train ride to the top.

Once at the top we were joined by a local tour guide and “Andiamo” we were off! Just around the corner is the Well of St. Patrick with two spiral ramps (one leading up and one heading down) which supplied the town with water in case of a siege. Nearby were beautiful views of the Umbrian countryside.

Just around the corner we entered Giardini Comunali Di Orvieto, or old garden area with fortress battlements and commanding vistas. Definitely, not Rome but not bad either, plus no crowds.

The Main Event: Duomo di Orvieto

Hopping a small city bus the 9 of us were swept to the first stop where we were dramatically introduced to the Duomo of Orvieto. Started in 1290, it has a two-toned stonework from Travertine and Basalt rock types, giving the church a distinctive striped appearance. The facade is baroque with many beautiful mosaic panels. The most significant items about the church are: the frescos by Luca Signorelli in the Cappella di San Brizio; a holy relic where once a eucharist was broken and actually bled, where some of the blood was captured on a napkin and is now part of the holy relic; and that the pope had a residence in Orvieto during times of conflict in Rome.

The frescos are quite stunning and really need a good guide to help explain some of the hidden items on every panel. Additionally, there are many statues and a beautiful rose window seen in many Gothic style churches.

City Views

The city of Orvieto like many in Italy is a picture postcard. So many beautiful areas. What residents see as every day we see as art. I am always ready to return to Italy.

Before heading back to the bus, we stopped for a late lunch at a little trattoria near where Sigmund Freud lived. The food was simple pasta lunch but very tasty and the wine made the trip back all that much more enjoyable.

But wait there is more!

Traveling back to the ship the bus suddenly lost power. Pulling over to the side of the road we weren’t stranded but rather had an impromptu tour of the Italian countryside. Another bus quickly picked us up and it all made for a good story.

Thanks for viewing the post and I do recommend visiting Orvieto if you are looking for something a bit less touristy and still full of history. I wish we could have stayed longer as more to see and do, but cruise tours just give you a glimpse of highlights. Please let me know what you liked, disliked and what I simply got wrong.