Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 349 4620733, 076 334 28 08;
www.bblamagnolia.it
; Via del Duomo 29; d €60-90; )
Tucked
down a sidestreet north of the Duomo (the sign is easily missed), this light-filled Renais-
sance residence has delightful rooms and apartments, an English-speaking owner, a large
shared kitchen and a balcony overlooking the rooftops. Serena can tell you all about Orvi-
eto - whatever you want to know, just ask.
A TASTE OF ORVIETO
If you're keen to slip on an apron and get behind the stove, Orvieto's the place. At Ristorante Zep-
pelin, English-speaking chef Lorenzo Polegri whips up an Umbrian feast at his one-day cookery
classes, where you'll learn to prepare specialities such as wild boar ragout and hand-rolled
umbricelli
pasta. He also prepares a five-course menu as the culinary climax of truffle hunts, and runs market
mornings and tours of local
pecorino,
olive oil and wine producers. Prices range from €50 to €120 per
person and full details are given on the website.
Decugnano dei Barbi
( 076 330 82 55;
www.decugnanodeibarbi.com
; Località Fossatello 50)
estate, perched above vineyards 18km east of Orvieto, offers unique tastings and four-hour cookery
classes. The winery can trace its viticultural lineage back 800 years and the lovely master sommelier
Anna Rita will guide you through its cellars and talk you through a tasting of its minerally whites and
full-bodied Orvieto Classico reds. Or sign up in advance to assemble a four-course meal together with
Rosanna, paired (naturally) with homegrown wines and served in the atmospheric surrounds of a con-
verted chapel.
B&B
€
Villa Mercede
OFFLINE MAP
( 076 334 17 66;
www.villamercede.it
;
Via Soliana 2; s/d/tr €50/70/90; )
Heavenly close to the
duomo
, with 23 rooms there's space for a gaggle of pilgrims. The building dates back to
the 1500s, so the requisite frescoes adorn several rooms. High ceilings, a quiet garden and
free parking seal the deal. Vacate rooms each morning by 9.30am or you'll earn the house-
keepers' wrath.
Misia Resort
( 076 334 23 36; Località Rocca Ripesena 51/52; s €80, d €130-160; )
You won't regret
going the extra mile to this boutique hotel on the rocks, with fabulous views of Orvieto
from its hilltop hamlet perch. This stunning country house conversion has been designed
with the utmost taste. The light, spacious rooms in soft, earthy tones come with retro-cool
touches - a chesterfield sofa here, a distressed wood beam there.
BOUTIQUE HOTEL
€€
