Letters to Juliet
Volunteering in Verona

Did you know the movie Letters to Juliet is based off a real organization that responds to thousands of letters about love & heartbreak addressed to Shakespeare’s Juliet?

The tradition of sending letters to Juliet goes back centuries. People started by leaving notes on a local landmark said to be Juliet’s tomb.

Later, many started sending mail directly to the city. By the 1990’s Verona was receiving so many letters, it created an office to deal with it all.

After watching the movie, I decided to travel to beautiful Verona, Italy to become a secretary of Juliet myself!

I wasn’t sure what to expect when we arrived but it was every bit as magical as I hoped. We received a short orientation from a lovely Italian woman who has worked there for years.

She showed us the 30+ years of letters in every language from every country that they keep on file. Then we got to work responding!

We only volunteered for one day but it was truly unforgettable. (Check out my one day in Verona itinerary.)

Watch the TikTok I made about my experience volunteering:

Read: VERONA IN ONE DAY ITINERARY

Volunteering here was a highlight of our time in Verona.

The letters we responded to shared deeply personal experiences with heartbreak and love.

Many wrote of long lost loves who they never got over. Some had very recent heart breaks. Some were newly in love and scared of getting hurt. Others loved two people and didn’t know who to pick.

One woman wrote saying it had been 9 years since she last wrote Juliet. At the time of her previous letter, she had just had her heart broken by the person she thought she was going to spend her life with. But today, she was back in Verona with her new husband and a baby on the way! She thanked Juliet for her guidance all those years ago.

It was such an honor to read these incredibly personal letters from all over the world and write back as Juliet.

If you’re in Verona, I highly suggest checking them out. Or mail a letter to Juliet yourself!

Where to send a letter:
JULIET CLUB
Vicolo Santa Cecilia 9, 37121
Verona – Italy

How To Volunteer With Club di Giulietta

It’s very easy to volunteer with the Juliet Club!

To apply, just fill out this form.

We got an email back right away asking when we wanted to volunteer. And we scheduled our visit with no issue. We only volunteered for a day but you could easily volunteer for multiple days!

Juliet’s Balcony

When you volunteer, you can also stop by Juliet’s balcony nearby.

Get there early to avoid the afternoon crowds. It’s 6 euros to enter the house, see the small exhibit and go out onto the balcony.

Pro tip: If you want a photo from below with you on the balcony, ask someone you’re traveling with to wait outside and take the picture of you on the balcony before joining you inside the house.

Tradition says if you want luck in love, you’re supposed to rub the right breast of her statue.

However now you’ll see signs up asking you to not touch the statue.

Do you have an questions about volunteering with Club di Giulietta? Ask away!

Read: TUSCANY 2 DAY ITINERARY FROM PISA

Volunteering in Verona with the Juliet Club

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Verona In One Day Itinerary

Verona In One Day Itinerary

As a born and raised theater girl, I always dreamed of visiting the iconic city of Verona. It is where Shakespeare set the most legendary play of all time, Romeo and Juliet. I imagined the city would evoke feelings of romance, history and beauty. And it most certainly did!

We stayed in Verona for several days with our Indie Campervan but if you’ve just got one day in the city of love, here’s what I recommend.

Itinerary Overview

• Juliet’s Balcony & House
• Volunteer with Letters to Juliet
• Coffee at Piazza Bra
• Tour the Arena di Verona
• Lunch at Piazza delle Erbe: pasta & gelato
• Shop Piazza delle Erbe markets
• Juliet’s Tomb/Romeo & Juliet tour
• Dinner through The Fork for 50% off
• Sunset at Castel San Pietro
  

Juliet’s Balcony & House

Begin your day in Verona at the most visited spot in the city, Juliet’s courtyard!

Get there early to avoid the afternoon crowds. It’s 6 euros to enter the house, see the small exhibit and go out onto the balcony.

While Juliet herself is a fictional character, there is some truth to Shakespeare’s story. Two Veronese families, the Montecchi and the Cappelletti, did have a long-standing feud like the Montagues and Capulets in the play.  And this house was once inhabited by the Cappello family—a name similar to the Italian version’s Capelletti—and dates back to the 13th century. However, the famous balcony wasn’t added onto the house until many years later.

And although, the story of Juliet isn’t real… the emotion that draws people here is very much real.

Pro tip: If you want a photo from below with you on the balcony, ask someone you’re traveling with to wait outside and take the picture of you on the balcony before joining you inside the house.

Tradition says if you want luck in love, you’re supposed to rub the right breast of her statue. However now you’ll see signs up asking you to not touch the statue.

And while you’re there, write your own letter to Juliet and leave it in the mailbox in her courtyard. Over 50,000 letters arrive at the house each year to addressed to Juliet from all over the world! Again, this fictional character holds a special place in the lives of so many!

Volunteer with Letters to Juliet

You may have seen the Amanda Seyfried movie Letters to Juliet but did you know the organization is real?

Club di Giulietta is a real place you can actually volunteer. If you’re a hopeless romantic, this organization will have you swooning.

People write in letters from literally all over the world to Shakespeare’s Juliet asking for advice in love and heartbreak. Some of the letters are tear-jerkers, some will have you beaming ear to ear and some are downright heartbreaking.

The tradition of sending letters to Juliet goes back centuries. People started by leaving notes on a local landmark said to be Juliet’s tomb. Later, many started sending mail directly to the city. By the 1990’s Verona was receiving so many letters, it created an office to deal with it all.

So for over 30 years this organization has been writing back to each and every letter it receives.

This was a real highlight of our time in Verona. If you have multiple days to commit, I suggest you do it!

It is free to volunteer. You can sign up and find out more information here.

Where to send your own love letter:
JULIET CLUB
Vicolo Santa Cecilia 9, 37121
Verona – Italy

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Arena di Verona

The Verona Arena was built in 30 AD. It’s still used today and is world famous for its large scale opera performances.

In fact, I suggest you check what’s playing before your trip and get tickets if you can!

The arena is one of the best preserved ancient structures of it’s kind. In ancient times, it’s capacity was approximately 30,000 people.

You can tour it during the day time and stand right where the gladiators stood thousands of years ago. It’s incredibly surreal.

Juliet’s Tomb

If you have time, you could book one of the many Romeo and Juliet walking tours around the city to see all the key sights. Otherwise if you plan to visit Juliet’s balcony on your own time, I suggest checking out her tomb while doing the arena.

The tomb itself is further away from the key Verona sights so it’s not usually included in walking tours but only in specific Romeo & Juliet tours. I recommend reading about the tomb here and booking a tour with the company if you’re interested!

Shop the Piazza delle Erbe Markets

The historic main square of Verona is filled with market shops that sell everything from souvenirs to clothing to trinkets.

This market is a great place to have lunch, people watch and shop!

Most of the stalls take card but we ran into a few that were cash only.

Have a nice dinner for 50% off with the Fork

While in Verona, we ate at several AMAZING restaurants for 50% off using the totally free app, The Fork.

Just download the app and it will show you restaurants nearby that have anywhere from 20-50% off if you book through the app.

Pro tip: There will be more options for 50% off if you eat outside of peak times. Have a late lunch or an early dinner!

You can get an extra sign up bonus when you use code 827BCC50.

We were able to eat at really nice Italian restaurants in the main square for 50% off, I highly recommend this app!

Sunset at Castel San Pietro

After you eat your fill of Italian food for dinner, head up to Castel San Pietro for sunset. It’s located across the river so if you have a car, I’d suggest driving. Otherwise you can walk or take the funicular. If you do walk, be prepared for a steep uphill climb.

Locals and tourists alike will bring wine or a picnic and enjoy the views over the city.

If it doesn’t work with your schedule to go at sunset, this viewpoint is worth visiting anytime of day!

Enjoy Verona!

Overall, Verona is an incredible city. You’re going to love it! Even one day of busy sighting is enough to see most of the key sights.

And if you use this itinerary, tag me on Instagram
so I can repost you!

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More on Italy:

• A COMPLETE GUIDE TO ORVIETO: THE HIDDEN GEM OF ITALY
• TASTE BOLOGNA : A BUCKET LIST FOOD TOUR IN THE ITALY’S FOODIE CENTER
• BEST DAY TRIPS FROM ROME BY TRAIN
• TUSCANY 2 DAY ITINERARY FROM PISA: HOW TO SPEND 2 PERFECT DAYS

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20 Photos To Inspire You To Visit Lake Como, Italy

In Northern Italy lies the country’s third largest lake, Lake Como. Famed for its jaw-dropping scenery, this place had been at the top of my travel list for quite sometime. And I’m happy to report, it did not disappoint.

If you need further proof of Lake Como’s insane mountain scenery, scroll through the next twenty photos and picture yourself sipping an aperol spritz on a terrace or wandering the cobblestone streets of Bellagio with lakeside views. Italy’s charm is ever present at this stunning lake.

A few tips for your visit:

• If you’re looking for a fun way to experience the lake, rent an Indie Campervan in Milan. Our favorite overnight parking spot with unbeatable views can be found by typing “Via Roslina Pino” into Google Maps.
• The ferry ride to other towns across the lake provides spectacular views and only costs a few euros.
• Varenna was one of my favorite towns along Lake Como. From here, you can take the ferry to the famous little town Bellagio and back. You won’t need long in Bellagio (it’s small) but Varenna is stunning to walk around and the ferry ride alone is worth the trip.

Lake Como

More on Italy:

• TUSCANY 2 DAY ITINERARY FROM PISA: HOW TO SPEND 2 PERFECT DAYS
• A COMPLETE GUIDE TO ORVIETO: THE HIDDEN GEM OF ITALY
• HOW TO VISIT ORVIETO, ITALY ON A BUDGET
• TASTE BOLOGNA : A BUCKET LIST FOOD TOUR IN THE ITALY’S FOODIE CENTER

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Tuscany 2 Day Itinerary

Tuscany 2 Day Itinerary From Pisa:
How To Spend 2 Perfect Days

If you’re planning a trip to Italy, you don’t want to miss the Tuscan countryside. You could easily book a guided tour from Florence to Tuscany, it is a popular option.

However the tours are pretty pricey (often $200) and don’t afford you much freedom. It is a good option though if you want a quick hassle free way to get out of the city and see this side of Italy.

But if you are able to drive manual, renting a car in Pisa is as cheap as 30 euros a day!

Take the train from Florence to Pisa

Many trips to Tuscany start in Florence since it’s such a large city. But we found that driving from Pisa was shorter, easier and allowed us to visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa as well!

And depending on which train you take, it’s only about 50 minutes to 90 minutes and as cheap as 8 euros.

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Rent a car in Pisa

We rented with Target Rent at the Pisa Airport. It was 30 euros a day pre-insurance for a Fiat Panda. (They had the best prices in Pisa!)

These cars are tiny so if you’re a family or a group of friends with a lot of luggage, it might not be a good fit. However for 2 people to rent with a small amount of luggage, it was perfect!

Drive 1 hour & 15 minutes to San Gimignano

Hit the road and enjoy the Tuscan countryside! Once you get out of Pisa the roads wind through some seriously beautiful landscapes.

We visited in late October so there were quite a lot of fall colors as well which made the landscape extra spectacular!

As you draw closer to San Gimignano, you’ll see the iconic view of the skyline, full of historic towers. Hop out of your car to soak in the views and capture some pictures before heading into town!

Parking

Once you arrive in town, you’ll most likely have to pay for parking. We paid 10 euros for the day at a little lot on the back side of town. (Many of the lots when you first pull in are for residents only!) Be mindful of parking signs and just be ready to pay for a spot if need be.

Sample wines, chocolates, truffles, gelato and pizza

Once you have parked, head into town! San Gimignano is spectacularly beautiful. And as you stroll the mainstreet, you’ll see many signs offering free tastings for wine, truffles, chocolates etc. I suggest you take advantage of these! It’s a fun way to chat with the shop owners and get to sample a wide variety of the local cuisine.

Then go ahead and shop! We bought fantastic bottles of local wine for just 6 euros each and a huge block of aged local cheese for 10 euros. The prices are surprisingly low considering their value!

And don’t miss a chocolate tasting at Nino & Friend’s.
This chocolate shop is located at the end of the main road near RiccaPizza, where we had lunch! There is a huge chocolate fountain at the front of the store, you can’t miss it. They make a great variety of chocolate desserts using Italian truffles or “tartufo.” Italian truffles grow in the forest and are located using pigs or dogs that sniff them out! They are a more expensive delicacy but get used in many dips, seasonings, recipes or even desserts.

This PBS episode does a great job explaining truffle hunting in Italy!

Climb the bell tower: Torre Grossa

After you’ve had lunch and sampled plenty of food, climb of the bell tower for views over San Gimignano.

Open: Monday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Panoramic Viewpoint: Punto Panoramico

One of my favorite spots in town was the panoramic viewpoint overlooking the Tuscan countryside. You’ll see signs in town pointing towards “Punto Panoramico.” Otherwise type it into Google Maps and you’ll be able to find it easily. We took a bottle of local wine and some cheese for a picnic on the cobblestone ledge at golden hour. I highly recommend you do the same! Otherwise there is also a little cafe along the street where you can sit and soak in the views as well.

It’s a popular picture spot so you’ll see tourists coming and going to get a great shot overlooking the valley!

Spend the night at Antica Dimora

Just 12 minutes away from San Gimignano there is a tiny little bed and breakfast with stunning views overlooking Tuscany. It ranges from about 75-80 euros. (May be slightly higher on weekends during peak season.)

But was a fantastic place to stay, especially for the price! The rooms feel like you’ve just stepped onto the movie set of Under the Tuscan Sun. It is truly a dreamy stay.

Sunrise over Tuscany

In the morning, be sure to set your alarm. The sunrise from Antica Dimora is beautiful.

Walk past the little farm area with goats and donkeys, go past the garden patch (where you may see some meandering cats) and you’ll find a perfect place to see the sun come up over Tuscany.

If you only have one day, I recommend you do the route from Pisa or Florence to San Gimignano and skip Volterra and Collodi.

Day 2: Volterra

After sunrise, enjoy a leisurely morning around Antica Dimora before setting off to the next Tuscan village of Volterra.

Drive 25 minutes

Just a short 25-30 minute drive away, you can either have breakfast across the street from the hotel or wait until you arrive in Volterra.

We opted to do lunch in the charming hilltop town and of course, had more pizza and pasta!

If you’re a fan of the Twilight series, this town is where Edward Cullen goes in New Moon to meet the Volturi. Although for filming, the town of Montepulciano was actually used instead.

Key Sights in Volterra

• Visit Piazza dei Priori (the main square)
• Visit the Duomo
• The Guarnacci Etruscan Museum
• Admire the Roman Amphitheater and its Archaeological Area
• The Pinacoteca – Art Gallery

Collodi: the Pinocchio Village

After a fantastic afternoon of wine tastings, scenic overlooks and wandering the winding streets of Volterra, I suggest heading to Collodi. Although there are a lot of little Tuscan villages you could choose from, we decided to head to the birthplace of Pinocchio.

Drive 1 hour and 30 minutes

After a 90 minute drive, you’ll find yourself in the being welcomed to Collodi by a towering Pinocchio statue and several painted murals of the beloved fairytale.

This medieval village dates back to the 12th century. And when you pull into town, it can be pretty confusing where to go.

The picturesque village is only accessible by foot after a steep climb

Park nearby the pizza place Ristorante pizzeria da geppetto located at Piazza Carlo Collodi, 2, 51012 Collodi PT, Italy.

From there, head towards the right. There is a cobblestone footpath that will lead you up into the village. You’ll see it leading up towards the buildings tucked in the hills. And you’ll pass the magnificent Villa Garzoni.

It is a steep climb but worth the views!

As you continue along the path, you’ll eventually reach the residential area of the village which is very quiet and quaint. It’s a lovely place to walk around and take pictures.

Just remember, actual people are living in these homes so be respectful. It isn’t a tourist-y stop at all but very charming and authentic!

If you can time your visit with sunset, I highly recommend watching it from the top of the village. You’ll have great views over the towns below as well.

In town you can also visit the Pinocchio Park in town.

We arrived after it had closed because we didn’t want to cut our time short in Volterra but if you’re interested in exploring the park, I suggest starting your day as early as possible in Volterra then arriving late afternoon to walk around the park.

Drive 45 back to Pisa to drop off the rental car

Once you’ve finished watching sunset, hop in the car and head back towards Pisa. It’s a 45 min drive. We dropped off the key rental car using the key drop box since it was after hours. Either catch a train out of Pisa or plan to spend the night.

We stayed near the city centre but keep in mind, it is difficult to get taxis at night in Pisa. So we actually wound up walking from the rental car place to our accommodation for the night.

Overall, the two days we spent in Tuscany were a dream. Im so thankful I got to see this beautiful part of the country. You’re going to love Tuscany, enjoy!

More on Italy:

• A COMPLETE GUIDE TO ORVIETO: THE HIDDEN GEM OF ITALY
• THE BEST HOSTEL IN ROME
• BEST DAY TRIPS FROM ROME BY TRAIN
• TASTE BOLOGNA : A BUCKET LIST FOOD TOUR IN THE ITALY’S FOODIE CENTER

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Taste Bologna

Taste Bologna : A Bucket List Food Tour in the Italy’s Foodie Center

As I traveled around Europe this fall, we happened to have an 8 hour layover in Bologna, Italy. Having never been to the city before, I began researching what the city. What was known for? And of course the answer was food!

 In fact, it is known as the “Fat, Red, and the Learn’d City.” This is due to its rich cuisine, red Spanish tiled rooftops, and being home to the oldest university in the western world.

Overall, Bologna is renowned for its culinary tradition. It is the home of the famous Bolognese sauce, a meat-based pasta sauce. So I knew we had a do a food tour while exploring this historic city for the day.

Taste Bologna

After researching different food tours, we decided to go with Taste Bologna.

We did the classic 4 hour tour which led us all over the city to the key sights and best food locations.

And let me tell you, it did NOT disappoint! If you are a foodie, you’ve got to take a visit to Bologna and do this tour.

In all my years of traveling, I have done a lot of food tours but this was hands down one of the best food tours I’ve ever been on!

You can book the tour here.

The price includes all your food (And there is plenty of it!) plus a fantastic guide to teach you all about the food and history of Bologna.

Our host was phenomenal, the food was fantastic and the historical insight really made this tour one of a kind. I can’t recommend this tour highly enough!

The Taste Bologna Itinerary

UN CAFFÈ, PER FAVORE?

Start your day with a gourmet coffee made by the hands of Alessandro, the best barista of Bologna.

​Relax under the portico and learn why his coffee is so special.

SHOP LIKE LOCAL IN THE MARKETS

Quadrilatero and Mercato delle Erbe are the foodie heart of Bologna.
​Shop your lunch around the stalls, meet the shop owners and smell the life of the markets.

A MASTER AT WORK

Meet the old ladies of pasta and watch how tortellini, tortelloni and tagliatelle are born.
With homemade tagliatelle made before your very eyes, what’s better than a large spoon of Bolognese ragù?

TUTTI A TAVOLA!

Stop for lunch in the oldest osteria in Italy to taste famous and hidden cold cuts, local cheese with balsamic.

​Share food opinions, relax and cheer with a glass of Pignoletto: salute!

THE SWEET GOODBYE

Bologna is also the city of gelato: learn its secrets and taste the difference.
​Warning: you won’t have pistachio again back home

I highly recommend booking this tour! It is both informative and a ton of fun.

It made for the perfect layover activity. And includes the best gelato I’ve ever had!

Thank you to Taste Bologna for hosting us during the tour.
As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

More on Italy:

• A COMPLETE GUIDE TO ORVIETO: THE HIDDEN GEM OF ITALY
• THE BEST HOSTEL IN ROME
• BEST DAY TRIPS FROM ROME BY TRAIN

Use Halara promo code: Emily9 for 20% off!!

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How To Visit Orvieto, Italy On A Budget

If I had to pick my favorite town in Italy, I’d rush to say Orvieto the moment I was asked. With nearly 3,000 years of history, this fortress sits high on the rocky cliffs over the Italian hillside. Orvieto is charming, the perfect escape from Rome & easily accessible. And if you’re backpacking Europe, it doesn’t have to be an expensive trip either! Here’s how to do visit Orvieto, Italy on a budget.

A COMPLETE GUIDE TO ORVIETO: THE HIDDEN GEM OF ITALY

1. Stay in a hostel or couch surf in Rome and just come for the day

It’s cheaper to stay in Rome where you can find hostel rooms for $10. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, try couchsurfing in the city.

However if you can swing a little extra cash, there are some other great options in Orvieto. Either way, it’s great to see the city after dark. So if you are staying in Rome, plan to come for the entire day so you can catch sunset from the hilltop.

Less expensive accommodation options in Orvieto:
(Ranging from approximately $22-$50 a night!)

• Hotel Corso
• La Locanda del Lupo
• Affittacamere Valentina
• B&B S.Andrea
• Hotel Ristorante Villa Ciconia

2. Buy your train ticket ahead of time

A one-way ticket cost anywhere from €7.90 to  €11.92 depending on when you buy. It’s cheaper if you buy in advance.

3. Take the cable car to the top

The cable car is the cheapest, easiest way to get to the top of the fortress.

It’s just a short 2 minute ride and less than €2 for a ticket.

4. Skip the restaurants and opt for a picnic with amazing views

Orvieto has no shortage of breathtaking views. If you’re scared of heights, standing near the edge may cause serious butterflies and twisting stomachs. But with inexpensive wine and groceries available at a local store, we had a great time eating outside in the sun looking over the hills below. Don’t bother packing a picnic and bringing it with you all the way from Rome. There are plenty of grocery stores in old town where you can easily buy food for a picnic for less than €10.

5. For just a few euros, you can see the best of Orvieto

Fortunately the best parts of Orvieto are easily accessible for just a very small fee. Below I’ve listed my favorite inexpensive activities.

There is a very small fee (only a few euros) for the following activities:

• The cable car to reach the hilltop
• To climb up Torre Del Moro
• St. Patrick’s Well
• Entrance inside the cathedral
• Underground cave tour
• Self guided tour of the theater
• A coffee at Enoteca Al Duomo for views of the main square

6. Skip the wine tasting, buy local wine at a grocery store

In Europe, wine is often as cheap as bottled water. Orvieto is famous for it’s wine but if you’re on a backpackers budget- buy some very inexpensive cartons at the grocery store and do your own wine tasting!

7. Skip seeing a live show and tour the theater yourself

Orvieto has a gorgeous, historic theater which still puts on productions today. If you have it in your budget to splurge for tickets, go for it! But if you’re wondering how to visit Orvieto on a budget, you can tour the theater for less than €2.

8. Window shop at artisan craft shops

Who said you had to buy anything? Aside from it’s wine, Orvieto is also known for it’s ceramics. So go wander through town and gaze at all the beautifully hand painted ceramics. There are also purse and leather shops where if you’re lucky, you might catch the shopkeepers cutting leather and making the goods right before your eyes.

9. People watch at the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo

Grab a cup of coffee or a cheap glass of wine and go have fun people watching by this gorgeous palazzo and adjoining square. There are often buskers performing so relax and enjoy the music. There is also a market here on Thursdays and Saturdays you could walk through free of charge.

10. Incredible views & the feeling of traveling back in time cost NOTHING

You can’t put a price on the feeling of Orvieto. And it costs no money at all to wander the cobblestone streets. Truly the best part of the enchanting fortress is discovering the nearly 3,000 year old city by wandering around and soaking up the atmosphere. And with each twisting street, you’ll uncover more breathtaking views completely free of charge.

More on Italy:A COMPLETE GUIDE TO ORVIETO: THE HIDDEN GEM OF ITALY & HOW TO GET FREE GUIDED TOURS ALL OVER EUROPE

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Orvieto, Italy

Have you ever visited a place so striking it it stays firmly rooted in your memory long after your travels? A place so full of happy memories you find yourself daydreaming about it once you’re back home? For me, that is Orvieto, Italy. This enchanting Italian town conjures up everything I imagine Italy to be from it’s cobbled winding streets and towering cathedral to it’s quaint coffee shops and it’s local wine.

Orvieto was never a town that I had planned to visit. I never heard mention of it. All the credit in Italy goes to Rome, Venice, the Amalfi Coast and so on. But perhaps that is part of it’s charm. The day we stumbled upon this gem, there were hardly any other tourists. (Although I hear on summer afternoons, it can be quite busy!)

After spending the last few days in Rome where we were constantly being swarmed by mobs of tourists and aggressive vendors urging you to buy their selfie sticks, this quiet town rich with history was a welcome surprise. We quickly fell in love with Orvieto.

So in short: what makes Orvieto hold such a special place in my heart?

The nearly 3,000 years of history, the beautifully preserved medieval architecture, the famous wine, the striking cathedral and the fact that while it sits high above the valley it is also simultaneously built on a system of underground tunnels. Over 1,200 to be exact. For such a small place, there is so much to take in. It truly is a place to marvel at history, beauty and European culture at it’s finest.

Visit Orvieto to escape the hustle & bustle of Rome

While Rome can be historically fascinating and a vibrant city to explore, it can also get quite exhausting with the number of tourists in the summer.

My tip: head to the hot spots first thing in the morning. We loved watching the sunrise over the Spanish Steps and it was a relief to have them to ourselves. But during the day when Rome gets hot and crowded, hop on a train and escape to the medieval town of Orvieto just 60 miles away.

How To Get To Orvieto From Rome?

Of course you could always rent a car and drive to Orvieto but if you’re staying in Rome or Florence, it’s very easily accessible by train.

Orvieto is conveniently located on the Rome-Florence-Milan line which is the main train route connecting the major Italian cities. From Rome it is just over 1 hour and approximately two hours from Florence. Tickets cost anywhere from €7.90 to  €11.92 depending on when you buy. It’s cheaper to purchase them in advance but you can also buy tickets the day of your trip!

Once the train arrives at Piazzale Matteotti in Orvieto Scalo (this is the modern, lower half of town) you can take the cable car up to the medieval city high above you.

Check arrivals and departures here.

From the South by train:

ROMA TERMINI to ORVIETO

From the North by train:

FIRENZE – ORVIETO

More info here:  www.orvietoviva.com/en/orvieto-train-station/

Perched High Above On A Tufa Rock

Orvieto sits high above the Italian landscape, perfectly situated on a tufa rock. And what is a tufa rock exactly? It’s a variety of limestone that has formed into a large butte of volcanic tuff.

The city dramatically rises up the steep facade of the rocks giving it the enchanting feel of a fairytale kingdom from a childhood story. Surrounding the city is the defense wall, entirely built from the same stone.

The Orvieto Cable Car 

Just getting up to the rocky medieval hilltop is half the fun! And once you arrive, the old town is free from modern day traffic. So climb aboard the cable car and enjoy the view as you ride this funicular through the tunnel of trees and quickly arrive at the fortress. It’s just a short 2 minute ride and less than €2 for a ticket.

Even the Orvieto transport system is historic, dating back to 1888. But don’t let that discourage you, it really is the best way to get from the modern train station up to the hilltop.

If you ride the cable car back down in the evening, the single track will be lit by side lanterns for an enchanting, ethereal effect.

You will arrive in Piazza Cahen near St. Patrick’s Well and the Ruins of the Etruscan Temple of Belvedere.

What To Do In Orvieto?

• Take in the views overlooking the Umbrian hills
• Visit the main cathedral, Duomo di Orvieto
• Have lunch or a coffee at Enoteca Al Duomo with great views of the main square
• Climb Torre del Moro for the best views of the city
• Explore the Etruscan Orvieto Underground
• Climb down to the bottom of St. Patrick’s Well
• See a show or take a self guided tour at Teatro Mancinelli
• Explore Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo
• Wine Tastings at Cantina Custodi or Cantine Neri
• Take a guided tour
• Explore the artisan shops
• Have a picnic on the fortress wall

Scenic views overlooking the Umbrian hills

Simply wandering the streets of Orvieto will provide a variety beautiful vantage points over the Umbrian hills. With every twist and turn around the city, a new view opens before you to appreciate the gorgeous Italian landscape.

The Strikingly Impressive Duomo di Orvieto

The highlight of Orvieto is certainly it’s central cathedral, the Duomo di Orvieto. Towering over the medieval square, this impressive building looms over passerbys.

But don’t just observe the outside, for a small fee you can also observe the beautiful (but also strange and unsettlingly) art inside the cathedral.

Unbeatable views over the city at the Torre del Moro

Built in the late 1200’s to defend the town, this historic tower now provides a beautiful, unobstructed panorama of the winding, medieval streets below, the Duomo di Orvieto and the hills beyond.

Take the small elevator then climb the 236 steps to the top to reward yourself with the best view of the city! The bell tolls every 30 minutes. The climb is easy enough and the sweeping views are not to be missed.

There is a small fee to climb the tower. It’s open daily but closes briefly at lunchtime in winter.

Explore the Orvieto Underground: Over 1,200 tunnels

Many people are shocked and fascinated to find that Orvieto is built entirely on a complicated (and messy!) cave and tunnel system dating back at least 2,500 years. An entire underground historical labyrinth exists right below the surface of this incredible city.

In fact, due to the sheer volume of underground dwellings, if you are a homeowner in Orvieto, it is likely you have your own private cave.

While most of the Orvieto caves are privately owned, two are open to the public for tours. An intriguing guided tour will lead you through the caves and even into the columbarium rooms which were used for breeding pigeons underground.

Climb down St. Patrick’s Well

Even today, St. Patrick’s Well impresses modern engineers. Climb the 496 steps down to the bottom and take in the shocking size of this well! 45 feet wide and an impressive 175 feet deep, it was used in the 16th century as a place of refuge for the pope.

With a double winding staircase into the well, the pope could ensure easy access to water high on his hilltop fortress if ever there was a siege. You can see why the phrase “it’s like digging St. Patrick’s Well” is commonly muttered by Italians when asked to complete a challenging task. Building this well was no easy feat!

One of my favorite memories in Orvieto consists of having St. Patrick’s Well to ourselves. We climbed to the bottom and sat far below ground gazing up to the sky in the distance. Since no one else was around, we sat for over an hour talking about life, listening to music and soaking up the atmosphere of this gigantic medieval well.

See a show at Teatro Mancinelli

This stunning historic theater only costs €2 to self tour and will instantly transport you back in time. Best of all? The theater itself is still putting on productions. If you can, pair your visit to Orvieto with a night at the theater.

Self Guided Visits to Teatro Mancinelli

Tour the main floor, orchestra, boxes and private events rooms.

Every day from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Ticket entrance: €2 per person

Explore Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo

This beautiful palazzo and adjoining historic square is used by locals and buskers alike. Wander the square or take in the view while you have a coffee

On Thursdays and Saturdays there is a local market that assembles here.

Go Wine Tasting To Try The Famous Classico Wine

Orvieto’s wine region predates Roman times and is still revered around the world today. Primarily known for their white wines, a trip to Orvieto would not be complete without sampling some of the local wines.

An excellent stop for all your wine tasting needs: Cantina Custodi. They offer tours to the cellars and vineyards all year round. Check out their site here. Another great option is Cantine Neri which also offers wine tastings for small or large groups year round. Book a tasting here.

Visit Local Artisan Shops

Aside from their famous cathedral and wine, Orvieto is also known for it’s ceramics. But along the narrow streets of the city, there is no shortage of artisan shops.

Be sure to check out these local ceramic shops:

• La Corte dei Miracoli
• Ceramiche Fusari
• Ceramiche Bellocci

For leather and shoes:

• Federico Badia

For woodworking:

• Bottega Michelangeli

For gifts and art:

• Il Mago di Oz

How much does a trip to Orvieto cost?

Expect to spend around €15- €20 for round trip train tickets from Rome.

Then depending on your budget, you could splash out and spend a lot on artisan gifts, theater tickets, wine tastings and an expensive dinner. But you could also do a trip to Orvieto for almost nothing. If you’re backpacking Europe, stay at this hostel in Rome and come for just the day!

There is a very small fee (only a few euros) for the following activities:

• The cable car to reach the hilltop
• To climb up Torre Del Moro
• To go inside St. Patrick’s Well
• Entrance inside the cathedral
• Underground cave tour
• Self guided tour of the theater

How much you choose to spend after that is up to you! For dinner, we opted to grab local wine, crackers and cheese at a grocery story (totaling no more than  €10) and had a picnic in the main ruins, Rocca Albornoziana.

Here you can sit on the ledge of the ruins overlooking the hillside. Orvieto is especially quiet (and extra magical!) at night when the tours leave for the day. (It can be a popular day trip in the summer but most miss out by not staying late!) We sat on the cliffside watching the stars come out as we ate cheese and drank wine. It was better than any restaurant!

A quick guide for your trip to Orvieto:

(Screenshot & save!)

Shop My Look From Orvieto:

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More on Italy: HOW TO VISIT ORVIETO, ITALY ON A BUDGET & HOW TO GET FREE GUIDED TOURS ALL OVER EUROPE

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The post A Complete Guide to Orvieto: The Hidden Gem of Italy appeared first on The Wanderlust Rose.

Looking for the best hostel in Rome?

The first time I came to Rome, I was fortunate enough to stay in the Waldorf hotel. But my second time trip, I was doing everything I could to travel on a budget. And there is no better way to save money traveling than to stay at a hostel.

So if you’re backpacking around Europe and inevitably make a stop in Rome, don’t pick just any hostel. My opinion? The Yellow is not only the best hostel in Rome but go above and beyond to provide additional services for their guests.

The atmosphere at The Yellow is a serious vibe. Check out their website and you’ll see what I mean.

The moment we walked into the hostel, I knew we had made an excellent choice. Incredibly cheap, clean and awesome vibes! There is a swanky bar, art all over the walls and a young, fun staff.

The Yellow is so much more than just a hostel…

The business takes up an entire city block- both sides of the streets! They have a salon, bar, restaurant, laundry service, gelato shop, bike rentals, and a night club with karaoke, DJs, live bands, beer pong and daily events.

Free Dinner

One of the best things about The Yellow- they serve a free pasta dinner every night!

If you book your room directly through their website, you get a discount on alcohol at their bar too!

Great Location

And you can’t beat the location. You are just a short walk from the main train terminal so you can go explore Italy by train for super cheap! Read my recommended day trips here.

The hostel provides an awesome free map with everything you could possibly need. Traveling on a budget? Walk 30 min to the Colosseum and stop at a grocery store along the way. You can buy wine for 1 € and crackers + cheese for super cheap and have a picnic on the grass by the monument.

Looking for other free things to do?

Walk to the Spanish Steps in the morning and beat the crowds!

It gets horribly crowded in the afternoon- but the morning we walked from The Yellow to the infamous Spanish Steps, we had a full hour of uninterrupted alone time to drink our coffee, eat our breakfast and overlook the steps.

Moped Rentals

Traveling around Rome by bus, Uber or foot is quite easy. Otherwise the hostel (and many places nearby!) offer affordable moped rentals.

The Yellow offers a number of great tours and activities!

The Yellow provides tours, cooking classes and a great variety of city activities for an additional cost. The lobby also has lots of information on other things to do around Rome like catacomb tours! So we hopped on a bus to go see The Catacomb of Priscilla…

Like many hostels, the Yellow doesn’t allow alcohol, food, or smoking inside the rooms- which helps keep them extra clean.

We had originally planned to stay at The Yellow for two nights but because it was such a great place to stay, we ended up booking two additional nights!

Shop my favorite looks for a summer in Rome:

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Looking to book a trip to Italy? Check out the great
budget trips on TourRadar.

Follow Along On The Adventure…

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The post The Best Hostel in Rome appeared first on The Wanderlust Rose.

How to Get Free Guided Tours All Over Europe

Exploring a new city for the first time is one of my favorite parts of travel. When you step off a plane into a new destination and getting wonderfully lost in a city rich with history and culture, what a feeling!

But guided tours, especially in Europe, will cost you a fair amount.

And while many cities or hostels offer a free walking tour- sometimes the schedule doesn’t match up with your plans or itinerary.

But there is one sure way to a get a great free tour in any of the major European cities- download the Rick Steve’s Audio Europe App. (Or check out the website here!)

Free and easy to use!

The best part about this app? It’s 100% free and gives rich, detailed tours all over Europe.

I have personally done tours in Milan, Italy and Munich, Germany with the app recently and I highly recommend!

You can start, stop, pause and resume the tour easily.

The directions are relatively easy to follow and you can skip around chapters or sections of the tours.  

A map is also included, making the walking tour easy to follow.

Just download the tour for whatever city you are in, pop in your headphones and you’re good to go!

Best of all, it’s totally free.

Tours begin in an easy to find, well known location!

The tours always start in a main town square or well known tourist attraction. From there, it will lead you around the city.

In Milan for example, the tour is 75 minutes long if done in it’s entirety, so even if you are in Milan for a quick layover- you could get out and tour the city for free!

Milan’s tour leads you through the Duomo neighborhood.

You start in the main square, go inside and on top of the church for some breathtaking views!

You’ll continue through The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. And it will bring you past the high end designer stores that Milan is famous for and the statue of Lenoardo Da Vinci in Piazza della Scala.

The tour ends at La Scala Opera House.

Upon the tour’s completion, you can then tour La Scala by yourself for just a few euros.

The day I was there, I was fortunate enough to get to watch part of an opera rehearsal- absolutely incredible!

Find quirky interviews, city information and cultural practices discussed!

In addition to specific walking tours for European cities, the app offers other informational tours or chats- similar to podcasts.

You can listen to a wide variety of topics such as

• Finding Love in Italy
• Enjoying Winter in Paris
• Rome After Dark, Venice: City of Seduction
• Heroes of Irish Folk Music
• Artists of Spain and countless others!

And new tours are frequently being added!

There is a wide variety of excellent tours and interviews about The Amalfi Coast and Italian culture in general

Any other good travel apps I should know about?

Let me know if you’ve done any of the Rick Steve tours in Europe!

And save this article on Pinterest for later!

Want more on budget travel?

• HOW TO GET A FREE ALL INCLUSIVE STAY IN EUROPE
• BOOKING BUDGET TRIPS WITH TOURRADAR
• COUCHSURFING: IS IT SAFE?

LOOKING TO BOOK A TRIP TO EUROPE?

CHECK OUT THESE AWESOME DEALS ON TOURRADAR!

The post How to Get Free Guided Tours All Over Europe appeared first on The Wanderlust Rose.

But these beautiful cities make up just a fraction of this incredible country.

So on my second trip to Italy, when I found myself in Rome again- I decided I wanted to see more than the Vatican, Colosseum, and the other well known (and very crowded) tourists spots I visited last time.

I was traveling with my friend Morgan and we decided to buy train tickets to cities we’d never heard of- either that locals recommended or that google listed as “scenic”. We randomly picked some cities without researching much and off we went to explore!

1. Castel Gandolfo

Our first stop was to Castel Gandolfo. A beautiful and tiny Italian city overlooking a massive lake where the Pope spends his summers.

When you first get off the train, it seems like you’ve been dropped off in the middle of nowhere. Just follow the signs which lead you up a short uphill hike (again, it really seems like you are in the middle of nowhere) until you turn a corner and find an adorable picturesque town on top of the Alban Hills.

You can tour the Pope’s summer home in the off season, explore the gardens, and wander the streets for the shops, cafes, and gelato!

I highly recommend exploring the unique and interesting shops, like this mosaic artist’s workshop!

They have many beautiful pieces for sale in the shop!

Overall, Castel Gandolfo is a must see!

2. Albano Laziale

We then hopped a 1€ train (so cheap!) to another town, Albano Laziale.  Full of rich history, museums, ruins, shops and picturesque Italian streets!

3. Orvieto

But BY FAR, the best day trip you can take out of Rome is Orvieto.

This majestic city is perched high on an rocky cliff, the train drops you off at the bottom and you board a small tram that takes you up into this incredible medieval cliff city!

Once inside the city, you can go to the top of the city clock tower for 2€ and get an incredible view!

Read: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO ORVIETO: THE HIDDEN GEM OF ITALY

Not only can you get to the top of the city, but you can go BENEATH it! The city sits on over 1,200 caves – still in use!  For just a few euros, you can tour a public cave and learn about the history of the caves in medieval warfare.

Orvieto is incredible because there are no tourist crowds, no lines to wait in and overall just a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere! We felt like we had the place practically to ourselves. We just wandered the streets and at night had a picnic on a castle ledge overlooking Italy.

Read: HOW TO VISIT ORVIETO, ITALY ON A BUDGET

And no trip here would be complete without visiting the incredible Duomo di Orvieto.

Orvieto was an absolute dream, like traveling back in time!

No amount of photos can do it justice, I encourage you to go see it for yourself.

More on Italy:

• HOW TO VISIT ORVIETO, ITALY ON A BUDGET
• A COMPLETE GUIDE TO ORVIETO: THE HIDDEN GEM OF ITALY
• HOW TO GET FREE GUIDED TOURS ALL OVER EUROPE
• THE BEST HOSTEL IN ROME

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The post Best Day Trips from Rome By Train appeared first on The Wanderlust Rose.