Both towns are located in the Umbria region considered “the green heart of Italy. The hilltop city of Orvieto is located in south-west Umbria, about halfway between Rome and Florence. The city has its roots in the Etruscans and Roman civilizations, and acted as a papal refuge during the Sack of Rome in 1527. Visitors can descend the fascinating St Patrick’s Well – 60 meters deep – and enter the imposing 14th-century cathedral on Orvieto’s summit. The city is also known for its series of Etruscan underground caves and its wines. Orvieto offers wonderful surprises charming cobblestone lanes lined with artisan shops and slow food trattorias. Surrounded by rolling hills, Assisi has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries. The mediaeval town is best known as the birthplace of St Francis, who founded the Franciscan religious order. Assisi offers many important sights, including the spectacular Basilica of Saint Francis with its frescoes by Giotto. See the highlights of Assisi on a 3-hour walking tour with a knowledgeable local guide. Visit the stunning UNESCO World Heritage-listed Basilica di San Francesco (Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi), the Duomo di San Rufino, the Basilica di Santa Chiara (St Claire) and the lovely main square, Piazza del Comune. Enjoy clear views of the massive 14th-century fort, Rocca Maggiore, which sits on top of the hill. As you walk with your guide, hear about the history and cultural treasures of Assisi. Alternative stop to Assisi is Civita di Bagnoregio, regarded as one of the most beautiful towns in Italy, known as “the dying city” because of the erosion and landslides that have occurred throughout the centuries. Only a handful of residents remain in Civita which is seeking to be recognized as a World Heritage Site and is reached by a steep pedestrian bridge (to access the town visitors must make their way over a narrow, steep footbridge, which is suspended at great height) The first glimpse of the town from the viewing point across the valley is jaw-dropping. Hydrangeas and geraniums tumble over its meticulously-kept stone footpaths; the lunchtime hum of conversation and clinking cutlery is offset by the cicada buzz rising from the valley below. Its beauty has caught the imagination of artists and filmmakers who chose the hilltop town as the setting of their works. The official travel guidebook uses effusive terms to describe Civita, “surrounded in a fog of unreality” as if “an island in our memory or a figment of our imagination”  or “hidden pearl in the heart of Lazio”.

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