#YESWEEKEND 08: Escape to Civita di Bagnoregio, the city that "disappears" (with a visit to Orvieto)

One of the most beautiful villages in Italy is located on the top of a valley in the province of Viterbo. A unique and well-kept citadel, to be visited at least once in a lifetime, before it's gone!

Together with Orvieto, which reserves many surprises.

Ready to go for an incredible place that one day may no longer exist ?

The #Yesweekend this time it takes you to a small town in the province of Viterbo which is called 'the dying city' , because it stands on a tuffaceous spur whose erosion has defied time for years. In short, in the future it could disappear!

Upon arrival, be prepared to widen your eyes: the show that presents itself in front of you is really breathtaking !

Do you think that every year people from all over the world queue to admire the beauty of this little gem and so many Italians have never been there !

Over the centuries, various collapses have literally brought down everything that once stood around Civita, which stands fragile and isolated in the center of the Valley of the Badlands .

You enter from the only main road from Porta Santa Maria crossing the bridge (the car must be left downstream in the parking lot and there is quite a hike uphill to do, but it's worth it!).

Since it's summer and the road is long, don't forget a hat to protect your head from the sun and… hydration of your hair with our Solemar line , do we understand each other? 😊

After passing an ancient wooden door, you will find yourself catapulted into a charming medieval village where time seems to have stopped.

Where to sleep

A premise: sleeping in Civita di Bagnoregio is not that simple, there are very few places. The ideal is to stay in nearby Orvieto which is beautiful and definitely worth a visit (then we'll give you some gems).

The charm of Civita: on airbnb you can book an authentic Viterbo-style house in Civita, in the heart of the village. It is really beautiful and has a terrace for the exclusive use of guests.

Libera Mente B&B in Civita : inside a historic building, it is very nice and has a special feature for enthusiasts. In fact, the rooms are named after great actors: Al Pacino, Steve McQueen, Paul Newman…

House Theater in Orvieto: an apartment in a wonderful building in the heart of the city, with frescoed ceilings and walls, the music room and the fireplace room. A real jewel in an excellent location: it is, in fact, only 400 meters from the Cathedral of Orvieto.

Hotel La Badia in Orvieto : a historic hotel housed in a Benedictine abbey from the 1100s. The rooms are furnished with period furniture, for a timeless stay. The restaurant is the realm of traditional Umbrian dishes such as bread seasoned with the many scents of nuts, rosemary and olives, cured meats, cheeses with honey, tagliolini with truffles, soups and roasts of all kinds.

Where to eat

Arianna's cellar in Civita: right in the heart of the village, there is this typical restaurant with excellent value for money where you eat divinely. The dishes to try? Fettuccine with Chianina beef ragout with truffles and honey caramelized pork tenderloin with red wine. Desserts are worth it too!

Alma Civita : a traditional and seasonal cuisine that pays particular attention to the mix of taste and perfumes. To taste the umbrichelli (pasta with water and flour), the homemade fettuccine, the seasonal soups, the bruschetta, the legumes, the grilled meat and the desserts, superlatives!

Osteria del Grillo in Orvieto : the right balance between the flavors of the past and modern creativity, for Umbrian dishes made with the freshest ingredients (the homemade pasta is terrific, make a note of the tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms!)

What to do

The visit to Civita di Bagnoregio: the ideal time to devote to the village to see it well is between two and four hours. The square is certainly one of the most beautiful points, with the Church of San Donato to visit also inside.

A super recommendation: if you go from July 25th to August 7th you will find yourself in the middle of the Tuscia Jazz Festival , a very impressive event that hosts the best names in international jazz.

PS: If you love cats , it is your favorite place, in the gardens there are many and they are all cuddly.

A stop in Orvieto : in reality, rather than a stop, we really recommend at least two days, because in Orvieto there is so much to do and see.

The center is very suggestive , with many small shops (i lace are a must buy).

Not to be missed, then, the Orvieto Cathedral , a true masterpiece of the Italian Gothic style.

Another gem if you don't suffer from claustrophobia: the underground , which form a real city made up of tunnels, conduits, cisterns, wells…

Another particular experience is truffle hunting with dogs bookable on airbnb, as well as the bicycle route from Orvieto to Civita through hills and countryside with final tasting of local products.

What to take home? Visit the Laboratory of Orvietan , the historic digestive liqueur produced with ben 25 herbs including myrrh, wormwood and rhubarb. Even the Sun King was a regular consumer ;). It is a must to stock up on amaro!