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| Group photo at Orvieto Staz. Funicolare an inclined railway station in Orvieto Scalo, Italy. Ms Audrey Tow Siew Keng our tour manager - KL Dr Diong Ko Ing and Joyce Tan Chun Hong - Sitiawan Dr Lee Teck Ming and Ms Lu Shue Yueher - Kota Kinabalu Dr Yasmin Binti Osman and Dr Nancy Vilmert - Sitiawan Mr Aloysius VA Allan and Pauline Toh - Sitiawan Mr Chen Ching Oun and Ms Tan Yoke Yin - Penang Mr Chiew Pang Tee, Ms Lau Pik Ying, Ms Chiew Lin Lin - Bintulu Mr Ching Neng Bin, Catherine Oon Siew Ngoh, Ching Jin Yuan Mr Hu Chee Yipp and Ms Lee Lin Sin - Kota Kinabalu Mr Lin Kang Liew and Ms Bong Shong Kian - Kuching Mr Ngo Kok Fei and Ms Chan Mei Leng - Ipoh Mr Wong Tai Meng and Ms Ho Har Mooi - Sitiawan |
Day 3 (11.4.2019) Rome to Florence, Italy
6am morning call, 7am breakfast and 9am departure. Today we travel about 320km to Florence. And to experience a memorable getaway, we traveled one and a half hour (132km) journey to almost traffic-free Orvieto and were delighted to be in the old city's medieval charm. For a more authentic experience up to Orvieto's natural fortress hill, we took the cable car up visiting Saint Patrick's Well, Piazza Duomo, Duomo di Orvieto and lastly the two Orvieto underground settlements. A visit to the Underground cave system (of over 1200 man-made caves), reveals the secret life of the inhabitants of the city all the way back to when the Etruscans dug the caves into the volcanic turf in search of water in the fifth century BC. The tunnels were further expanded all through the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, sometimes used as landfills, cellars, for thrashing wheat, raising pigeons, storage and safe-house while war raged at the foot of the mountain.
Getting to Orvieto is like traveling back-to-the-future dating back 1290, a place not to be missed. Many thanks to our tour manager Ms Audrey Tow for recommending. From Orvieto we travel 157km to visit Pierotucci Leather Factory and had dinner at L'ema Cafe and Restaurants famous for its authentic Florentine Beef Steak, Via Lungo L'Ema, 9, 50012 Grassina FI, Italy.
Toilet fee everywhere is EUR1
Florence weather: Showers 9'C-17'C
Accommodation at 4 star hotel "Art Hotel Museo” Viale della Repubblica, Prato, Florence
L-R: Caason Ching Jin Yuan, Lin Kang Liew, VA Allan, Dr Diong Ko Ing, Wong Tai Meng and Ching Neng Bin. Rise and shine at Hotel Green Park Madama Spa & Wellness.
L-R: Ms Bong Shong Kian, Ho Har Mooi, Catherine Oon, Pauline Toh and Joyce Tan Chun Hong at Hotel Green Park Madama Spa & Wellness. The best hotel so far.
Dr Lee Teck Ming and Ms Lu Shue Yueher at Hotel Green Park Madama Spa & Wellness.
Ms Lee Lin Sin at Hotel Green Park Madama Spa & Wellness.
Rise and shine at Hotel Green Park Madama Spa & Wellness. My favorite part is the balcony, which looks out over the breathtaking serene country views.
Rise and shine at Hotel Green Park Madama Spa & Wellness. It was nice to sit and relax and enjoy the breathtaking serene country views.
The morning breathtaking serene country views at Hotel Green Park Madama Spa & Wellness.
Wonderful hotel with very comfortable room and the food outstanding. Staff were friendly and very helpful.
Fantastic breakfast at Green Park Madama with plenty of choices - eggs, bacon, breads, cheese, ham, yogurt, pastries, hot drinks and juices. My favorite is the home made yogurt.
Hotel Green Park Madama Spa & Wellness. Wonderful hotel with a beautiful location. The room was very comfortable and the food outstanding. A great place to stay in order to visit other places. However, be aware that the drive up to the hotel is very steep, with sharp bends and a low wall on either side of the drive. Staff were friendly and very helpful.
Caason Ching Jin Yuan and Ching Neng Bin standing at the Purple Wisteria known for its large hanging flowers at Hotel Green Park Madama Spa & Wellness.
Catherine Oon and Ching Neng Bin standing at the Purple Wisteria known for its large hanging flowers at Hotel Green Park Madama Spa & Wellness.
The 24 happy looking travelers in the bus journey to Orvieto.
The happy looking travelers in the bus journey to Orvieto.
Our tour manager Ms Audrey Tow is a fantastic story teller with her deep European historical knowledge. She has over 20 years experience. Thank you very much.
The scenic country side view on the highway E35 to Orvieto, Province of Terni, Italy.
The scenic country side view on the highway E35 to Orvieto, Province of Terni, Italy.
The scenic country side view on the highway E35 to Orvieto, Province of Terni, Italy.
The scenic country side view on the highway E35 to Orvieto, Province of Terni, Italy.
The scenic country side view on the highway E35 to Orvieto, Province of Terni, Italy.
The scenic country side view on the highway E35 to Orvieto, Province of Terni, Italy.
The village of Orvieto Scalo in the province of Terni, Italy.
Orvieto is a small city perched on a rock cliff in Umbria, Province of Terni, Italy. Elevation: 325m. Population: 20,468 (2017). Patron saint: Saint Joseph.
Orvieto is a beautiful medieval city that sits on the flat summit of a volcanic bluff, a location that was inhabited in ancient times by the Etruscans.
Another group photo at Orvieto cable-car ticketing office. To experience a memorable getaway, travel to nearly traffic-free Orvieto and delight in the old city's medieval charm. For a more authentic experience in traveling to St. Patrick Well, climb Orvieto's natural fortress hill on the slick cable car or Funicolare that transports visitors to the railway station next to the Pozzo di San Patrizio.
By cable-car up to Orvieto a small city perched on a rock cliff.
Walking towards Saint Patrick's Well, Orvieto.
From Saint Patrick's Well, a beautiful view of the valley below known as the Valley of Orvieto, and a panoramic view over the green hills surrounding the city and valley of the Paglia river.
From Saint Patrick's Well, a beautiful view of the valley below known as the Valley of Orvieto, and a panoramic view over the green hills surrounding the city and valley of the Paglia river.
From Saint Patrick's Well, a beautiful view of the Valley of Orvieto and Fortezza Albornoz a castle.
From Saint Patrick's Well, a beautiful view of the Valley of Orvieto and Fortezza Albornoz a castle.
Pozzo San Patrizio at Orvieto or Saint Patrick's Well. Both stairs wind around each other, never meeting and resembling the structure of a DNA helix with 248 steps for each one. St. Patrick Well's ingenious design permitted mule-drawn carts carrying water bags to descend on one side of the double helix and ascend on the other end without ever colliding.
The Pozzo di San Patrizio (English: "St. Patrick's Well") is a historic well in Orvieto, Umbria, central Italy. It was built by architect-engineer Antonio da Sangallo the Younger of Florence, between 1527 and 1537, at the behest of Pope Clement VII who had taken refuge at Orvieto during the sack of Rome in 1527 by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, and feared that the city's water supply would be insufficient in the event of a siege. The well was completed in 1537 during the papacy of Pope Paul III.
The Saint Patrick's cylindrical well is 53.15 metres (174.4 ft) deep with a base diameter of 13 metres (43 ft). There are 248 steps and 70 windows provide illumination.
The Saint Patrick's cylindrical well is 53.15 metres (174.4 ft) deep with a base diameter of 13 metres (43 ft). There are 248 steps and 70 windows provide illumination.
The Saint Patrick's cylindrical well has 248 steps and 70 windows provide illumination. Interior view, showing the double helix staircase.
Both stairs wind around each other, never meeting and resembling the structure of a DNA helix with 248 steps for each one. St. Patrick Well's ingenious design permitted mule-drawn carts carrying water bags to descend on one side of the double helix and ascend on the other end without ever colliding.
The Saint Patrick's cylindrical well has 248 steps and 70 windows provide illumination.
Orvieto's geology facilitated the building of the well, but it was no easy task as workers needed to dig the deep opening with chisels or axes and many more were used to cart bricks for to bolster the structure of Saint Patrick's cylindrical well.
The Saint Patrick's cylindrical well has 248 steps and 70 windows provide illumination.
Orvieto's geology facilitated the building of the well, but it was no easy task as workers needed to dig the deep opening with chisels or axes and many more were used to cart bricks for to bolster the structure of Saint Patrick's cylindrical well.
The Saint Patrick's cylindrical well has 248 steps and 70 windows provide illumination.
The Saint Patrick's cylindrical well has 248 steps and 70 windows provide illumination.
The Saint Patrick's cylindrical well has 248 steps and 70 windows provide illumination.
The Saint Patrick's cylindrical well has 248 steps and 70 windows provide illumination. The now unused St. Patrick Well remains in similar conditions as it did back then. It remains a popular attraction.
The now unused Saint Patrick's cylindrical well remains in similar conditions as it did back then. It remains a popular attraction.
The now unused Saint Patrick's cylindrical well remains in similar conditions as it did back then. It remains a popular attraction.
Ching Neng Bin, Catherine Oon and Ching Jin Yuan - Experienced the cool air as you descend to the bottom of the St. Patrick's Well and enjoy a moment of timelessness as you marvel at the towering cylinder above.
Dr Diong Ko Ing and Joyce Tan at the bottom of the St. Patrick's Well, Orvieto.
Wong Tai Meng and Ms Ho Har Mooi at the bottom of the St. Patrick's Well, Orvieto.
Audrey Tow, Ms Bong Shong Kian, Mr Lin Kang Liew at the bottom of the St. Patrick's Well, Orvieto.
Audrey Tow, Catherine Oon and Ching Neng Bin at the bottom of the St. Patrick's Well, Orvieto.
Ms Audrey Tow Siew Keng our tour manager at the bottom of the St. Patrick's Well, Orvieto.
This elderly gentleman making key holder souvenirs for tourist at St. Patrick's Well.
Fortezza Albornoz - This is a castle or fortress which now houses beautiful public gardens. Originally the fort had a moat and drawbridge, while today only a portion of the fortress still stands with a great tower overlooking the ancient entrance to the city with a steep path descends to Orvieto Scalo.
A war memorial 'Monumento ai Caduti' in Piazza Cahen. A silhouette of the Monument to the 500 Fallen of the Great War, solemnly inaugurated by Vittorio Emanuele III on November 25, 1928. The monument was the work of an Orvieto, Angelo Cocchieri.
A group photo at Orvieto Staz.Funicolare an inclined railway station in Orvieto Scalo, Italy
The Piazza del Duomo in Orvieto. The square below our feet are cobbled, and around the periphery of the Duomo are mosaics of the Star of David and other symbols.
Orvieto Cathedral opened in 1290 is a large 14th-century Roman Catholic cathedral dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in the town of Orvieto in Umbria, central Italy.
Duomo di Orvieto - Architectural styles is of Gothic architecture, Romanesque architecture, Italian Gothic architecture.
Duomo di Orvieto - Architectural styles is of Gothic architecture, Romanesque architecture, Italian Gothic architecture.
Duomo di Orvieto - Architectural styles is of Gothic architecture, Romanesque architecture, Italian Gothic architecture. The body is striped with black and white marble, in the style of the pillars inside the Florence Cathedral.
Duomo di Orvieto - Architectural styles is of Gothic architecture, Romanesque architecture, Italian Gothic architecture. There are three sets of doors for the three sections of the facade, the vast central bronze door, and detailed ornamentation.
Duomo di Orvieto - The beautiful stain glassed windows are amazing and the ornate facade glows when the sunlight falls on it. The sheer size is the brilliantly glittering mosaics on its golden facade.
Duomo di Orvieto - The beautiful stain glassed windows are amazing and the ornate facade glows when the sunlight falls on it. The sheer size is the brilliantly glittering mosaics on its golden facade.
This view of the Orvieto city let you appreciate its layout and the narrow streets, older buildings and the large number of churches.
This view of the Orvieto city let you appreciate its layout and the narrow streets, older buildings and the large number of churches.
This Orvieto town is amazing, you wont find anything like it anywhere else. Sitting on a mountain, beautiful Gothic church, tons of designer shops and tons of little shops to explore.
This Orvieto town is amazing, you wont find anything like it anywhere else. Sitting on a mountain, beautiful Gothic church, tons of designer shops and tons of little shops to explore.
This Orvieto town is amazing, you wont find anything like it anywhere else. Sitting on a mountain, beautiful Gothic church, tons of designer shops and tons of little shops to explore.
This Orvieto town is amazing, you wont find anything like it anywhere else. Sitting on a mountain, beautiful Gothic church, tons of designer shops and tons of little shops to explore.
This Orvieto town is amazing, you wont find anything like it anywhere else. Sitting on a mountain, beautiful Gothic church, tons of designer shops and tons of little shops to explore.
This Orvieto town is amazing, you wont find anything like it anywhere else. Sitting on a mountain, beautiful Gothic church, tons of designer shops and tons of little shops to explore.
This view of the Orvieto city lets you appreciate its layout and the narrow streets, older buildings and the large number of churches.
Torre del Moro Orvieto the clock tower.
This Orvieto town is amazing, you wont find anything like it anywhere else. Sitting on a mountain, beautiful Gothic church, tons of designer shops and tons of little shops to explore.
This Orvieto town is amazing, you wont find anything like it anywhere else. Sitting on a mountain, beautiful Gothic church, tons of designer shops and tons of little shops to explore.
Piazza della Repubblica in Orvieto or Square of the Republic. Dominated by the church of St Andrew (S. Andrea) with its curious roman belltower with twelve sides, this square occupies the site of the town's old forum.
Piazza della Repubblica in Orvieto or Square of the Republic.
Piazza della Repubblica in Orvieto or Square of the Republic.
Sant'Andrea, Orvieto - The St Andrew church on the Piazza della Repubblica in Orvieto. It dates to the 12th century and is noted for its distinctive decagonal bell tower.
The church of St Andrew (S. Andrea) with its curious roman belltower with twelve sides, this square occupies the site of the town's old forum.
Piazza della Repubblica in Orvieto.
Orvieto
Orvieto
Orvieto
Caason Ching Jin Yuan admiring the Valley of Orvieto below.
Another beautiful view of the Valley of Orvieto, and a panoramic view over the green hills surrounding the city and valley of the Paglia river.
Another beautiful view of the Valley of Orvieto, and a panoramic view over the green hills surrounding the city and valley of the Paglia river.
Caason Ching Jin Yuan admiring the ancient buildings of Orvieto.
The ancient buildings of Orvieto.
Medieval Gates of Orvieto - The inscription on the architrave of the present gate bears the name of Pope Pius VII and the date 1822. The gate, which is decorated with statues of an eagle and a goose, two of the four symbols of Orvieto, was a precursor to the construction of Via Cassia Nuova.
Medieval Gates of Orvieto - The inscription on the architrave of the present gate bears the name of Pope Pius VII and the date 1822. The gate, which is decorated with statues of an eagle and a goose, two of the four symbols of Orvieto, was a precursor to the construction of Via Cassia Nuova.
Next to the museum is an entrance to the Orvieto Underground cave system of over 1200 man-made caves. We can only visit two caves (the rest remain in private hands – every home, shop etc in Orvieto has its own cave underneath).
The entrance to the Orvieto Underground cave system.
Orvieto Underground cave system.
An hour-long guided tour along a very easy route makes it possible to get to know Orvieto’s underground world, created by its ancient inhabitants over about 2500 years of uninterrupted digging.
An hour-long guided tour along a very easy route makes it possible to get to know Orvieto’s underground world, created by its ancient inhabitants over about 2500 years of uninterrupted digging.
A visit to an Underground cave system (of over 1200 man-made caves), reveals the secret life of the inhabitants of the city all the way back to when the Etruscans dug the caves into the volcanic tuff in search of water in the fifth century BC. The tunnels were further expanded all through the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, sometimes used as landfills, cellars, for thrashing wheat, raising pigeons, storage and safe-house while war raged at the foot of the mountain.
The remains of an old olive oil mill in Underground Orvieto.
The remains of an old olive oil mill in Underground Orvieto.
The remains of an old olive oil mill in Underground Orvieto.
A guided tour of the underground of Orvieto is an exciting experience to see the remains of an old olive oil mill.
The remains of an old olive oil mill in Underground Orvieto.
This is how they store the olive oil in Underground Orvieto and also acts as water reservoirs.
This is how they store the olive oil in Underground Orvieto and also acts as water reservoirs.
Orvieto Underground cave system - This is how the city house occupants dug tunnels and wells beneath their houses. Notice the irregular hole dug on the wall as steps.
Orvieto Underground cave system - This is how the city house occupants dug tunnels and wells beneath their houses. Notice the irregular hole dug on the wall as steps.
Entrance to the second Orvieto Underground cave.
The narrow and steep stairs down the second Orvieto Underground cave.
Sections of underground walls are pocked with small, regularly-spaced cubes called columbaria, which provided pigeons with places to roost (roast pigeon still being a popular dish in Orvieta). Noble houses were equipped with escape tunnels that would spirit their owners away beyond the city walls in case of attack.
Sections of underground walls are pocked with small, regularly-spaced cubes called columbaria, which provided pigeons with places to roost.
Sections of underground walls are pocked with small, regularly-spaced cubes called columbaria, which provided pigeons with places to roost.
Orvieto Underground cave.
Orvieto Underground cave.
Orvieto Underground cave.
Orvieto Underground cave.
Orvieto Underground cave.
Orvieto Underground cave.
Orvieto Underground cave.
Orvieto Underground cave.
Orvieto Underground cave.
Pierotucci Leather Store provides you with a unique shopping experience unlike any other.
Pierotucci Leather Store - a wide selection of mens and ladies jackets, bags, belts, wallets, gloves and small leather accessories.
Three course dinner at L'ema Cafe and Restaurants famous for its authentic Florentine Beef Steak, Via Lungo L'Ema, 9, 50012 Grassina FI, Italy.
Three course dinner at L'ema Cafe and Restaurants famous for its authentic Florentine Beef Steak, Via Lungo L'Ema, 9, 50012 Grassina FI, Italy.
Accommodation at 4 star hotel "Art Hotel Museo” Viale della Repubblica, Prato, Florence
A stylish atmosphere surrounds you at the Art Hotel Museo in Prato. Modern and welcoming room provides many amenities for a comfortable stay.
After a tiring adventurous day, it was nice to drink wine. A bottle of Feudo Trebbiano 2017 white wine and a bottle of Campo della Fiera Orvieto (EUR3 each) bought at Autogrill restaurant and mini market in motorway service station during a toilet break from Orvieto.
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