Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
usually accompany these types of accommodations. That's what you get at
Villa
Merced “Religious Guest House”
(Via Soliana, 2;
%
0763-341766; www.
argoweb.it/casareligiosa_villamercede/villamercede.uk.html),
just around the cor-
ner from the Duomo. If you've ever wanted to do this type of stay and get a small
peek into monastic life, but have been worried about all the sacrifices you'd have
to make, this is the one to try. As usual rooms are spartan, whitewashed, and filled
with religious paraphernalia, but the prices are the lowest in town: 12 rooms, all
with bathroom,
€
56 for a double, and
€
35 for a single. Book far in advance, as
Merced tends to fill with student and religious groups. Send requests to
villamercede@orvienet.it.
€€
-
€€€
Rates are refreshingly reasonable at the high-class
Hotel Aquila
(Via Garabaldi, 13;
%
0763-341246; www.hotelaquilabianca.it),
a 250-
year-old palace that has served as a hotel for over 100 of those years. A royal-
looking lobby stuffed with antiques (and a random rickshaw) gives it an imperial
feel. Rooms are bright and cheerful, with a surprisingly homey flowered bed-and-
breakfast ambience. Double rooms range from
€
80 to
€
105, depending on the
season; singles are
5
Blanca
€
20 cheaper.
€
-
€€
The pick of the three-star hotel group in Orvieto is the
Hotel
(Vicolo di Maurizio, 7;
%
0763-341887; www.orvietohotelduomo.
com).
Completely renovated in 2001, the family-run Hotel Duomo has a bright,
fresh decor, with modern art, new furniture, spacious bathrooms, and a street
front garden. It's also perfectly located just around the corner from the Duomo.
In an odd move, one “Internet point” is set up for guest use at the front desk . . .
but there is no chair (the manager Giovanni likes to keep things moving).
Doubles run from
55
Duomo
€
85 to
€
105, and five suites range from
€
120 to
€
150 for up
to five people (although five would be cramped).
55
(Piazza Ranieri, 36;
%
0763-341743; www.hotelpiccolomini.it),
set in a 16th-
century family
palazzo.
It's a beaut, with whitewashed walls and exposed stone
masonry in the rooms, tasteful furniture, and terrific views over the rooftops of
the city (though the windows do tend to be on the small side, as do the showers,
which are coffin-cramped). The hotel has 22 double rooms (
€
106-
€
116), seven
single rooms (
€€
-
€€€€
The luxe hotel choice in town is
L'Hotel Palazzo Piccolomini
205). A helpful, friendly staff
and free valet parking add to the appeal, as does the vaulted basement breakfast
room--a cool place to eat, both architecturally and temperature-wise. In the
lobby is a free Internet point for guest use.
Farm Stays
€€
-
€€€
€
75-
€
85), and three suites (
€
186-
€
Kids and starry-eyed adults alike will enjoy staying at a country
apartment at the
L'Uva e le Stelle
5
9
(Localita Boccetta, III, 05010, Porano;
%
0763-374781; www.uvaelestelle.com),
about 20 minutes northeast of Orvieto.
The name means “Grape and the Wine,” and guests can actually sign up for
astronomy classes at the home observatory, which are, of course, accompanied by
food and
vino.
A dozen cats prowl the grounds, and there's a swimming pool, full
bocce-ball court, table tennis, and hilly gardens near woodlands. The six unique,
