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Offered languages
- English
- Italian
Of all Italian hill towns perhaps Orvieto is the most photogenic and easiest to walk around. Largely pedestrianized and flat, it is easily covered on foot. The medieval streets and alleyways have both imposing palaces and quaint, modest townhouses. Orvieto is full of surprises: round that corner, you catch sight of the imposing Gothic facade of the cathedral for the first time; at the end of an alleyway is the entrance to a Renaissance courtyard; over there is the entrance to an ancient Etruscan tomb.
Your photography teacher has lived here for 15 years and knows the place intimately. He has taught photography for 20 years and has been a pro since graduating from photography college in 1977.
From the city walls, there are stunning views of the surrounding countryside with vineyards, olive groves, and picturesque villas and farms across two regions, Tuscany and Umbria.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Meet under the clock tower. I will be wearing a hat.
Itinerary
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1
The 13th-century Gothic cathedral is one of Italy's greatest attractions. We shall only visit the exterior which provides a wide variety of subjects, materials, and textures to the photographer. There are mediaeval bas-reliefs of the Creation, Heaven and Hell; mosaics, alabaster windows, and much more. An ideal subject for a photo essay in its own right, for the perfect blog-post.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2
This is an option. The 16th century well is 50m deep with steep winding steps so it involves exercise. However, the experience is well worth the effort. The light changes as we descend to the depths. The increasing darkness (though it is electrically lit) provides a challenge to the photographer, thus the experience will be improved with the use of a tripod which we can provide. At the bottom, we cross a bridge over the water from where the view up the spiral shaft to the surface is a truly unique experience.
35 minutes • Admission ticket included -
3
At the crossroads at the heart of the old city stands the ancient clock tower where we meet for the start of the tour. As an option, we can scale the 50m tower. There is a fine view from the top.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4
San Giovenale, one of the oldest churches in Orvieto, stands on a precipice at the extreme west of the city. From here we get a fine view across the valley towards Tuscany and Latium. William Turner painted his memorable 'View of Orvieto' from the hill opposite in 1828. This view has hardly changed. The interior of the church is covered with extraordinarily brilliant mediaeval frescoes.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5
Some of the oldest buildings stand around this large square, the ancient heart of Orvieto, which in ancient times was the seat of the civil administration in the palazzo del Capitano del Popolo. Here twice a week the lively market sets up till around noon. The stallholders provide the photographer with the most wonderfully weathered faces, worthy of a Bruegel painting.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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