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Historic Orvieto & Hidden Tuscany

Quiet central Italy, steeped in ancient history
 
Passing from Umbria into Lazio and onward to a quiet corner of Tuscany, this self-guided, hotel-to-hotel walking holiday promises great variety – the enchanting town of Orvieto, ever-changing scenery, and a wealth of history in the form of necropolises and sunken ‘roads’ built by the ancient Etruscan civilisation.
Historic Orvieto & Hidden Tuscany. 7 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
Historic Orvieto & Hidden Tuscany. 7 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
 

Holiday information

 

A walking holiday from Umbria to Tuscany

Surrounding Italy’s largest volcanic lake, not far north of Rome, stretches a landscape characterised by rolling farmland, ancient woodland, olive groves and outcrops of tufa stone. Despite its proximity to Rome, it is as little-known as it is beautiful.

Starting in Umbria, in the handsome town of Orvieto, this holiday surprises with its variety. After a day visiting Orvieto’s striking cathedral and other sights, you walk to the shores of Lake Bolsena in Lazio, with a day to enjoy its deep blue waters. From here you cross into Tuscany, but not the one of glossy guide books. Instead, the scenery is wilder, the charming hill-top villages quieter, the sense of history more palpable.
Here, in ‘secret’ Tuscany, you will find numerous reminders of the ancient Etruscans, a mysterious pre-Roman civilisation which hewed necropolises into the porous rock and also left behind a network of incredible via cave – ravine-like sunken ‘roads’ – which are a unique feature of this spellbinding corner of Italy.
 
Gallery
 

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights.

We have improved the itinerary for 2023, and now feature two nights in both Orvieto and Bolsena so that there is more time to explore these beautiful places. Reviews prior to this relate to the old itinerary.
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C 10 10 14 17 23 27 31 31 25 21 14 10
    mm 48 48 44 47 32 16 9 10 37 60 84 63
  • Arrival in Orvieto
    Night 1: at Hotel Duomo (the first of two nights here).
    As your first night’s accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of walking.
  • Day in Orvieto
    Orvieto is a compact town full of interest. Its cathedral is one of the most splendid in all of Italy, with a striking facade and striped walls made from layers of black basalt and white travertine. Nearby is the Torre del Moro, a tower which commands sweeping views over Orvieto's rooftops and the surrounding countryside.

    The town's other key sights involve going underground – you can descend the steps into the 62-metre-deep well, and it is also worthwhile joining a guided tour of the network of tunnels and chambers that lie beneath the streets and which incorporate pens for livestock, and even an olive oil mill.

    To finish off your exploration, you may like to venture beyond the town walls and along the lofty crags, for wide-open views over the rolling hills and vineyards which produce the town’s delicious wines.
    Exploring Orvieto
  • Orvieto to Bolsena: 16.5km, 6hrs; ascent 350m / descent 395m
    The walk begins with a transfer to a viewpoint from where you can look back to Orvieto to fully appreciate its superb setting on a 300-metre-high outcrop of volcanic rock that rises almost sheer from the valley floor. Seen from afar like this, it is easy to understand why the Etruscans chose it as the site for one of the twelve cities in their federation. Setting off along wide tracks and well-defined paths, you soon leave Umbria and enter Lazio, crossing a colourful patchwork of rolling, open farmland before descending slowly via the old town of Bolsena to the shore of Italy’s largest volcanic lake which occupies a huge crater. Your base for the next two nights is the Hotel Holiday or the Ludwig Hotel.
    Orvieto to Bolsena: 16.5km
    Quiet routes
  • Day in Bolsena
    We suggest a circular walk for today, but there are non-walking options too, including joining a boat trip across the lake (pay locally). Equally, you could choose to potter around Bolsena itself, whose medieval streets are dominated by a castle – there are magnificent views across the water from the ramparts – and then return to the hotel to spend some time by the pool.

    Circular walk from Bolsena: 15km, 5.5hrs; ascent/descent 310m
    Following part of the Via Francigena, a pilgrimage and trading route to Rome, the route heads south across olive-clad hills and open farmland overlooking Lake Bolsena. Along the way you pass via a small nature reserve, ideal for a picnic.

    Cività di Bagnoreggio
    Reached by bus/taxi (pay locally), the remarkable medieval settlement of Cività di Bagnoreggio perches on a tufa hilltop in a magical, almost surreal setting. Access is via a lengthy footbridge, suspended high over the valley, which rises steeply to meet the walls encircling the village’s maze of ancient streets.
    Circular walk from Bolsena: 15km
    Spend the day exploring Bolsena
  • Bolsena to Sorano: 12km, 4hrs; ascent 155m / descent 395m
    This very varied walk starts with a short transfer into Tuscany, after which you walk past the ancient colony of Vitozza, the most important troglodytic settlement in Italy. You continue via a deep wooded valley and follow the River Lente to the magical hill-top town of Sorano, considered by many to be the finest example of a tufa village. Here, you stay at the Hotel della Fortezza for the night.
    Bolsena to Sorano: 12km
    Walking to Sorano
  • Sorano to Sovana: 11km, 4hrs; ascent 275m / descent 360m; optional extension to necropolis: 3.5km
    Leaving Sorano, you notice that the landscape is now characterised by the porous tufa rock. Reminders of the mysterious Etruscans, a powerful pre-Roman civilisation which settled in the area in the 9th century BC, come thick and fast: you follow a deep, leafy via cava that they hewed from the rock, and pass one of their many necropolises, which boasts a splendid viewing platform over Sorano. Finish with a section across open farmland and through vineyards, taking time, if you wish, to walk to another important Etruscan necropolis after arrival in delightful Sovana. Your hotel for your final two nights is the Sovana Hotel & Resort or the Albergo Scilla & Locanda della Taverna Etrusca.
    Sorano to Sovana: 11km
    Walking along the ancient Via Cava
  • Circular walk from Sovana: 14km, 5.5hrs; ascent 325m / descent 330m
    Follow a remarkable via cava to the even more extraordinary Etruscan town of Pitigliano. Set atop high tufa cliffs which lend it the appearance of being suspended in the sky, the town's different quarters are linked by the sweeping arches of a 16th-century aqueduct. There are numerous Etruscan tombs hewn from the cliffs, an imposing fortress (in which there is a museum displaying Etruscan finds) and a network of caves which nowadays are used as wine cellars, but the town is best known for its Jewish quarter. You can wander through the narrow streets and visit the old ghetto (complete with a bakery) as well as the ruins of the synagogue.
    Circular route from Sovana: 14km
    Pitigliano
 

Accommodation

All your hotels are comfortable and welcoming.

In some places, we work with more than one hotel, as shown below. All are hand-picked by us and, unless there is a price implication (in which case we will contact you to discuss your options), we will tell you which one we have booked for you on your booking confirmation.
 

Extend your stay

 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.
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  • 7 nights: 01 April 2023 - 30 June 2023, 28 August 2023 - 31 October 2023, 01 April 2024 - 30 June 2024 & 28 August 2024 - 31 October 2024

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    1 - 30 Apr 2023 £1005 £370
    1 May - 23 Jun 2023 £1055 £385
    28 Aug - 24 Oct 2023 £1055 £385
    1 - 30 Apr 2024 £1110 £410
    1 May - 23 Jun 2024 £1165 £425
    28 Aug - 24 Oct 2024 £1165 £425
    3rd & 4th person discount -£80 to -£88
    Single traveller supplement £95 to £105

    Includes accommodation, meals and services integral to the holiday as described, plus walking notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

  • Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

    Hotel Duomo, Orvieto
    Junior suite: 10 Apr - 30 Jun 2023 £9
    Junior suite: 21 Aug - 31 Oct 2023 £9
    Junior suite: 10 Apr - 30 Jun 2024 £10
    Junior suite: 21 Aug - 31 Oct 2024 £10
    Hotel Holiday, Bolsena
    Deluxe with lake view and balcony: 01 Apr - 30 Jun 2023 £24
    Deluxe with lake view and balcony: 28 Aug - 31 Oct 2023 £24
    Deluxe with lake view and balcony: 01 Apr - 30 Jun 2024 £26
    Deluxe with lake view and balcony: 28 Aug - 31 Oct 2024 £26
    Lake view: 01 Apr - 30 Jun 2023 £6
    Lake view: 28 Aug - 31 Oct 2023 £6
    Lake view: 01 Apr - 30 Jun 2024 £7
    Lake view: 28 Aug - 31 Oct 2024 £7
    Superior with lake view and balcony: 01 Apr - 30 Jun 2023 £15
    Superior with lake view and balcony: 28 Aug - 31 Oct 2023 £15
    Superior with lake view and balcony: 01 Apr - 30 Jun 2024 £17
    Superior with lake view and balcony: 28 Aug - 31 Oct 2024 £17
    Hotel della Fortezza, Sorano
    Suite: 01 Apr - 30 Jun 2023 £18
    Suite: 21 Aug - 31 Oct 2023 £18
    Suite: 01 Apr - 30 Jun 2024 £20
    Suite: 21 Aug - 31 Oct 2024 £20
    Sovana Hotel & Resort, Sovana
    Superior: 10 Apr - 30 Jun 2023 £12
    Superior: 21 Aug - 31 Oct 2023 £12
    Superior: 10 Apr - 30 Jun 2024 £13
    Superior: 21 Aug - 31 Oct 2024 £13
  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
    Rome
    As an alternative to flying, we can arrange rail travel from London

    Travelling from the UK

    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Rome. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    Travelling from outside the UK
    We have many years' experience catering for customers who live outside the UK, and will be happy to make tailored arrangements to fit with your plans.

    You have two options:

    1) Book your own flights to London, from where we can book flights and onward connecting travel to your hotel.

    2) Book your own flights direct to an airport appropriate to your chosen holiday. You can either make your own way from the airport to the hotel, or we'll be happy to book onward connecting travel for you. Please consult with us before booking your flights, so that we can advise you on the suitability of your proposed route and timings.
    Outward route Airline
    Birmingham - Rome Fiumicino jet2 
    Outward route Airline
    Bristol - Rome Fiumicino easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Nottingham East Midlands - Rome Ciampino Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Edinburgh - Rome Ciampino Ryanair 
    Edinburgh - Rome Fiumicino (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Glasgow - Rome Fiumicino jet2 
    Outward route Airline
    Glasgow Prestwick - Rome Ciampino Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Leeds Bradford - Rome Fiumicino jet2 
    Outward route Airline
    Liverpool - Rome Fiumicino Blue Air 
    Outward route Airline
    Gatwick - Rome Fiumicino British Airways,  easyJet,  Vueling 
    Outward route Airline
    Heathrow - Rome Fiumicino Alitalia,  British Airways 
    Outward route Airline
    Luton - Rome Fiumicino easyJet,  Wizz Air 
    Outward route Airline
    Stansted - Rome Ciampino Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Manchester - Rome Ciampino Ryanair 
    Manchester - Rome Fiumicino British Airways,  easyJet,  jet2,  Vueling 
    Manchester - Rome Fiumicino (via Munich) Lufthansa 
    Outward route Airline
    Newcastle - Rome Fiumicino jet2 
    Newcastle - Rome Fiumicino (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Rome. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    This list of flight options should be used as a guide only, and you should check each airline’s website for current routes, frequency and schedules. Not all flights operate daily, and may not run for the entire season. You should also heed the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time stated in the connecting travel section, as it may not be possible to arrange connecting travel outside these times. Please do not book your flights until we have confirmed your accommodation to you. Alternatively, our expert reservations team will be happy to offer advice and to make flight bookings for you for any of the options listed above. We charge £35 per person for our flight booking service. Your flights are then covered by our package-booking conditions, which give you greater protection in the event of delay or cancellation, as well as providing ATOL cover.

  • Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together. If you are travelling solo or as a party of 3 or more and our arrangements include a taxi, please contact us for prices; additional passengers often pay less.

    Unless otherwise stated, connecting travel by rail or bus tends to be from the city centre station, rather than from its airport, and connections between the two should be paid for locally.

    Where a price range is given, the price you pay depends on your date of travel.

    Connecting travel options - flying via Rome Ciampino

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    rail Rome to Orvieto (1h30), taxi Orvieto to hotel (0h10) £29-£32 1600
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    taxi hotel to Orvieto (1h30), rail Orvieto to Rome Termini (0h55) £78-£86 1300

    Connecting travel options - flying via Rome Fiumicino

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    rail Rome to Orvieto (1h30), taxi Orvieto to hotel (0h10) £29-£32 1600
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    taxi hotel to Orvieto (1h30), rail Orvieto to Rome Termini (0h55) £78-£86 1300
What is included
  • 7 nights
  • 2 dinners
    2 picnics
    7 breakfasts
  • luggage transported
  • route notes and maps
  • GPS navigation
  • transfers on days 2 & 4
 
Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

All 30 reviews
  • Mrs R Fisher
    Brighouse
    14 October 2023

    Excellent customer service. Be prepared to do a bit more than a UK country walk. Overall Hidden Tuscany was really rewarding.

  • Bob Delaney
    29 September 2023

    Orvieto was lovely, bustling with toursits but plenty of opportunity to get away from the crowded centre and enjoy the beautiful city and visit the astonishing Duomo; we were lucky enough to arrive when a medieval pageant and competition was being held. 

    You enter Bolsena down a long flight of ancient steps to the town and a huge lake which fills a volcanic caldera, no boat service was available. Sorano is was built for defense with a massive fortress (in which we stayed) and a town crammed into steep streets amongst the crags; the restuarant was great.  Sovano hotel and resort looks very small and discreet on the outside but is huge inside, set in extensive grounds (olive grove) with an amazing marble-paved swimming pool. The cave dwellings and Etruscan necropolis the ritual paths form part of the route and are amazing. We enjoyed this walk very much

  • Rachel D, Bucks
    26 September 2023

    We had a great time. Orvieto is fascinating and worth staying an extra night. The " vie cave" aren't easy to walk (underfoot) but they are unique and made for a sense of adventure. The variety of terrain and the scenery were both very good. We heard wood larks and a firecrest. The woods were awash with pink cyclamen. We had not expected so many lovely wild flowers at the end of September/early October.

    Every town/ village is different and full of character. It's worth buying the book (on sale locally) on Pitigliano/Sorano/Sovana and their tuff-rock cultures. Don't miss the Jewish museum in Pitigliano - it's unique.

    The Etruscan tombs outside Sovana are well worth a visit. Note that in October the last tickets are sold at 5pm and the gates are locked at 5.45 .... get there by 4.30 to enjoy it to the full.

    The resturants in Orvieto are good -  we recommend La Pergola and particularly the Labirinto D'Adriano - the mixed starter was just amazing - the best food of the holiday.

    The "artisan" gelateria on Via Cavour, near the Pozzo di San Patrizio, is excellent and good value.

    In contrast the Fidalma in Sorano where we had our evening meal (it was a Sunday) was a disappointment. The food was okay but I had to send my main dish back because it was barely warm and went cold very quickly. And they served the red wine very cold (from an ice bucket!), which was frankly ridiculous. They explained that serving it at room temperature would make the wine go off. This was nonsense. We were not impressed.

  • Anon
    12 September 2023

    The Tuscany trip was really beautiful, the hotels, the walks, and even the transport. Indeed many of the hotels were just amazing.

    The Peloponnese trip had really great hotels, lovely drives, and some very nice walks--although a few of the walks were really difficult and there were some places where the walk descriptions seemed not fully accurate. But mostly fine.

     

    INNTRAVEL NOTE: These customers combined our 'Historic Orvieto and Hidden Tuscany' walking trip with the 'Journey through the Peloponnese' driving trip.

  • Anon
    09 September 2023

    A fantastic holiday in a beautiful part of the world.  This holiday combined lovely hotels, fantastic food and wine, history, architecture and culture with interesting and varied walks.  I can't think of a single thing that could be improved.  In fact, I could happily do the same holiday again next year

  • Mr R Dunne
    Ireland
    04 September 2023

    Towns and cities were very enjoyable and interesting. The Etruscan remains, especially the Via Cava were amazing. However the walks were not particularly scenic or interesting. Couldn't compare with the Hilltops of Tuscany walk which we did some years ago.

  • Anon
    26 August 2023

    We would thoroughly recommend accommodation upgrades, and at least one extra night at the Sovana Hotel and Resort. A visit to Civita di Bagnoregio is certainly not to be missed. Eating in Orvieto: For fine dining I Sette Consoli is outstanding; for a simple cheap lunch - La Cantina di Arianna. We would definitely NOT recommend La Pergola restaurant in Orvieto; the food may be interesting but the service when we visited was appalling. In Bolsena, we recommend for seafood fare and a lovely garden, Trattoria da Picchietto.

     

     

     

  • Anon
    24 August 2023

    It was our first holiday with Inntavel and we had an amazing week. The two days in Orvieto were good and we made full use of the Carta Unica. We particularly enjoyed our meal in the Ristorante Al Pozzo Etrusco. The upgrade to a lake view room at the Hotel Holiday was definitely worth it. The hotel in Sovana had amazing grounds and a lovely relaxing pool. We enjoyed two excellent meals at the Taverna Etrusca (which is also owned by the hotel). Walking on the Via Cava's was very enjoyable, but there was more road walking than we would have liked.

  • Carol, West Yorkshire
    13 June 2023

    We thoroughly enjoyed all the walks and appreciated the variety of wild flowers on display as we walked through the beautiful countryside. We particularly appreciated two nights at both Orvieto and Lake Bolsena so that we had time to explore both places. The routes were good with good paths and very straightforward instructions. We did download GPS which was reassuring if we needed to double check but we could probably have managed without it. The variety of accommodation was good and we will be happy to continue booking with Inntravel for hopefully a good few years to come!

  • Mr N Tosdevin
    Norwich
    11 June 2023

    Orvieto is wonderful and a great start to the holiday. The Carta Unica (Citypass) is well worth getting (pre-purchasing) though some of the historical sites are closed on Monday/Tuesday. All the destination towns/villages were spectacular and beautiful. it was nice that Sovana was a little smaller and quieter for the final two nights. In Sovana, the little wine bar (also does great craft beer) across from the museum and next to the gelateria is lovely, La Sileno pizzeria was great, as is the Taverna Estrusca (bookable at the Sovana Hotel & Restaurant).

    The walking was wonderful too - beautiful and varied with the hills, olive groves, vineyards and all the via cave/ancient history. The wildflowers, butterflies and other wildlife were also a real treat.

  • Mr J Havens
    USA
    04 June 2023

    We had particularly enjoyable meals at Ristorante Al Pozzo Etrusco (Orvieto), Antica Trattoria del Corso Pizzaria pizza (Bolseno), and the restaurant of the Fortezza Hotel.

  • Mrs I Taylor
    Newcastle Upon Tyne
    02 June 2023

    Walking routes, instructors and background information were excellent. Luggage transfers and transfers to start point of walks were also excellent. Unfortunately two of the hotels and the dinners provided were not up to Inntravel's usual standard and were disappointing. 

  • Mrs S Tooth
    Stoke-on-trent
    22 May 2023

    The highlights of our holiday were walking through magnificent fields of wild flowers, the via cave walks and the vittozza village. All accommodation was good, really enjoyed the balcony at Bolsena and the view from our room in Sorano. The final hotel in Sovana was just perfect.

  • Anon
    22 May 2023

    Well planned and detailed holiday, comprehensive notes supported with the gpx routes.  Good walking distances, beautiful and varied countryside. Late May was a good time to go, carpets of wild flowers and loads of birds. 

  • Mrs H Dobson
    York
    18 May 2023

    HIGHLIGHTS: The Via Cavas and Via Francigena. Tuscan countryside - they've had lots of rain so the wild flowers and poppies were amazing.  The history of the Etruscans. Hotel della Fortezza (their restaurant was very good too) and Hotel Sovana and Taverna Etrusca.

    p77 of your walking notes: 'Turn R diagonally and cross the stream on a modern concrete and metal bridge, with r/w waymark. On far side, turn L (not R) ascending woodland path.' If you turned right it was a less distinct path.

     

  • Anon
    09 May 2023

    Generally a very good and well organised holiday.  We loved the medieval hill towns and lack of tourists in the area and particularly liked the fortress accommodation in Sorano

  • Mrs H Taylor-Wilkinson
    Nantwich
    06 May 2023

    Arrival into Sovana was lovely, the sun came out and we were able to sit in the square and have our packed lunch before going off to visit the necropolis as we had got ther quite quickly.

    I would say that we walked a lot quicker than the notes suggest, but we did have quiite a bit of rain with  thunderstorms so some days we did not stop to exlpore caves etc as it was too wet.

    On the drop down from Vitozza, the path effectively became a stream full of slippery vegetation and was a bit hazardous. Would suggest caution in bad weather. We went in early May in full knowledge of the weather at this time of year so this is not a complaint!

  • Anon
    03 May 2023

    A very interesting and varied trip, with a good combination of walking in very quiet green countryside and arriving in dramatic  hill towns. The route made good use of the Etruscans' enigmatic vie cave. We found the instructions good but were very pleased we had downloaded the gpx files in advance- this saved us a few errors. We very much enjoyed a boat trip on Lago di Bolsena. The temperatures in early May were perfect for walking, and the variety and in most places abundance of wildflowers was striking. Red poppies were everywhere the ground had been disturbed, including the railway tracks. The food was another attraction, especially wonderful icecream, and we didn't eat pizza once!

  • C&A, Middlesbrough
    01 May 2023

    We stayed in Orvieto for three nights which allowed us to see all the sights at a sensible pace (there's a lot to see!).  We also stayed three nights in Bolsena which gave us time to have a good look round as well as have a day trip to Civita da Bagnoreggio (50 euro taxi round trip).  There was plenty of time to visit the necropolis outside Sovana on arrival - well worthwhile.

    We enjoyed eating at La Pergola and Le Grotte del Funaro in Orvieto.  The latter is in an Etruscan cave later used for rope-making.

  • Mr D Hurst
    Maidenhead
    17 April 2023

    This was a memorable trip exploring some of Umbria and Tuscany's history. Orvieto is a lovely place to discover with history all around, stunning views and wonderful restaurants. We enjoyed hiking thourgh the rolling hills and fields and then exploring the amazing Via Cave. Spring time is an excellent season to enjoy this walk, with pleasant walking temperatures and lovely spring flowers in the woods. We also saw wildlife including hares, deer and foxes on our routes. We enjoyed some lovely meals especially at Trattoria la Palomba in Orvieto (booking recommended), Trattoria da Picchietto in Bolsena for its lake fish and Taverna Etrusca in Sovana for its delicious pasta. The views from from our balcony overlooking Lake Bolsena were stunning and worth the upgrade. 

  • Mr R Hawkes
    London
    05 September 2022

    The hotels were consistently very good with high quality rooms, facilities and helpful staff. The dinners, whether in the hotels or at local restaurants were excellent. The walking was sometimes quite challenging along steep declines, for example on the "via cave", and the routes involve more road walking than we are used to. The route notes need to be followed very carefully in places, as not all the signage is maintained and the maps often don't offer the detail that, for example, is found on OS Explorer maps in the UK. The small towns and villages were at times extraordinary and a delight to visit.

  • Mrs C Newby
    London
    04 September 2022

    A wonderful walking holiday taking in some magical historical small towns. The routes along Vie Cave provided unique experiences. All the hotels were really lovely, relaxing and comfortable. The only thunderstorm we encountered was when we were staying at the Hotel della Fotezza, and the surrounding scenery provided a dramatic backdrop. We really enjoyed the Agriturismo Santa Croce which was in a beautiful setting - the included dinners were especially good. I recommend the Trattoria del Moro Aronne in Orvieto - amazing local food. You might need to book. I would also suggest an extra night in Bolsena to give you enough time to explore this equisite medieval town and take in views across the lake.

  • Dr J Hughes
    Aylesbury
    11 June 2022

    We had a fabulous holiday. The paths were good, and the maps and gpx files were first-class. The walks were really off the beaten track. We only met one other tourist/walker in the whole five days. We felt we were experiencing real rural life. A farmer stopped us by the wayside and gave us two branches laden with cherries. We joined a thanksgiving for the harvest procession as it made its way down country lanes. We visited ancient caves, tombs and beautiful churches. The food was heaven, the hotels (as usual with Inntravel) were comfortable, and all but one had air con. Highly recommend.

  • Mrs M Clark
    Market Drayton
    20 May 2022

    A fantastic holiday in such a varied area! A real mix of walks from easy to challenging, especially the vie cave routes. Masses of beautiful wildflowers, cuckoos galore, colourful butterflies, bright green lizards, a snake plus of course wonderful scenery and hilltop villages. We had an extra night at Orvieto and Bolsena giving us the chance to explore those two places more. If you like walking without hardly meeting a soul and then staying in interesting places and you love Italy, then try this!

  • Mr J Grafton
    Bristol
    18 May 2022

    From beginning (booking) to end (flying home) a lovely and enjoyable, well planned holiday. Please send suggestions for the next one!

  • Mr A Barnett
    USA
    15 May 2022

    The scenery was outstanding. Wear long trousers as you will get scratched if you don't. There are several steep uphill climbs so be prepared. We speak Italian and understand Italian and it is very helpful as most people in the small towns (apart from the hotels) do not know much or any English.

  • Anon
    02 May 2022

    All of the towns visited were prettier and older than we expected and merited some time for exploration. We were glad to have allowed an extra night in Orvieto. The countryside was beautiful and greener than expected.

  • C Turner, Derbyshire
    26 April 2022

    HIGHLIGHTS: Get to the Pantheon early to avoid the crowds. Wandering in the garden at Sovana Hotel and Resort, the Cathedral in Sovana with Plainsong playing. So many glorious wild flowers, an orchid-lover's paradise! The joy of hearing several cuckoos on our travels. Excellent local food and beverages too.

    INNTRAVEL NOTE: These customers combined our walk A Stroll through History with our City add-ons in Rome and Turin

  • Ms E Grad
    USA
    08 October 2021

    We loved our walking trip in Tuscany. As we went at the end of the season, many of the sites we visited and medieval towns we stayed in were devoid of the large crowds of tourists one would expect in such beautiful places. While we did have some wonderful meals (La Pergola, Hotel della Fortezza, and apodere Santa Croce), we would recommend that travelers interested in a food-focused experience do some research beforehand and prepare for simple meals in the small towns along the way. Additionally we'd recommend that anyone interested in birds bring some binoculars and research birds in the area as we saw many on our walks through the countryside!

  • Anon
    01 October 2021

    Take the short cut to Montemerano, as recommended by Podere Santa Croce.

     
 

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • We’ll send you route notes and maps 2-3 weeks before your holiday. The route notes not only contain directions to get from A to B, but also include practical information about places of interest and eateries along each route, plus cultural information about the area. If/when you are moving between hotels, you leave your luggage in reception as you leave, and it will be transferred ahead to your next accommodation, meaning that all you need to take with you are a camera, sun cream, drinks, food and waterproofs.

    For more detailed information, see our walking holidays in Europe page.
  • Yes, prior to going on holiday you will be able to download GPX tracks so that you can follow your route on your smartphone or dedicated GPS device if you wish. It’s entirely up to you whether or not you use them – our detailed, step-by-step route notes remain the principal means of guiding you from A to B – but we provide them as a secondary means of navigation for additional reassurance when walking.
  • We can book a wide range of routes from the UK with a variety of airlines. As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. The fee for this service is £35 per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). More information on flights >
  • Absolutely! We are experts in tailored rail travel. Making use of sleeper trains or stopovers in cities along the route, we can get you from London to virtually anywhere in mainland Europe. We can even make arrangements to Mallorca, Sicily and Norway with a combination of ferries and rail. Please contact us to discuss your plans.
  • We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted to book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that’s appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
  • Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
    The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

    More information about the booking process >
    Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >
    Booking conditions >
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can incur a five or six-figure bill.

    Many insurers offer travel insurance (you can find details on our insurance page of a policy that you may like to consider if you are a UK resident), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

    When you purchase a policy, be sure to check that it covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to Italy, but not a visa (please note, however, that a new travel authorisation system is being introduced). If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

    Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice for UK citizens can be found through the Travel Health Pro website. You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). You should also apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if your EHIC has expired (if you have a still-valid EHIC, you can use this until it expires).
  • The principal official language is Italian, though some regions have a second official language, such as South Tyrol, where German is widely spoken. The currency is the Euro. Italian time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1.
  • For information on the practicalities of travel now that the UK is no longer part of the European Union, visit www.gov.uk/visit-eu-switzerland-norway-iceland-liechtenstein.
  • The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.

    If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
  • You are the best judge of your child’s/children’s capabilities. We are happy to take bookings for families of older children/teenagers if they walk regularly, love the outdoors and are comfortable with the distances and ascent/descent involved. Please note that the bedrooms at most of the accommodation we use will normally only sleep a maximum of 3 people, and sometimes only 2.
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