Of all Italian hill towns perhaps Orvieto is the most photogenic and easiest to walk around. Largely pedestrianized and flat, it is easily covered on foot. The medieval streets and alleyways have both imposing palaces and quaint, modest townhouses. Orvieto is full of surprises: round that corner, you catch sight of the imposing Gothic facade of the cathedral for the first time; at the end of an alleyway is the entrance to a Renaissance courtyard; over there is the entrance to an ancient Etruscan tomb. Your photography teacher has lived here for 15 years and knows the place intimately. He has taught photography for 20 years and has been a pro since graduating from photography college in 1977. From the city walls, there are stunning views of the surrounding countryside with vineyards, olive groves, and picturesque villas and farms across two regions, Tuscany and Umbria.
Lunch with wine: A sit-down lunch for an hour or so during which we can continue to discuss photography and/or Italian culture.
The 13th-century Gothic cathedral is one of Italy's greatest attractions. We shall only visit the exterior which provides a wide variety of subjects, materials, and textures to the photographer. There are mediaeval bas-reliefs of the Creation, Heaven and Hell; mosaics, alabaster windows, and much more. An ideal subject for a photo essay in its own right, for the perfect blog-post.
This is an option. The 16th century well is 50m deep with steep winding steps so it involves exercise. However, the experience is well worth the effort. The light changes as we descend to the depths. The increasing darkness (though it is electrically lit) provides a challenge to the photographer, thus the experience will be improved with the use of a tripod which we can provide. At the bottom, we cross a bridge over the water from where the view up the spiral shaft to the surface is a truly unique experience.
At the crossroads at the heart of the old city stands the ancient clock tower where we meet for the start of the tour. As an option, we can scale the 50m tower. There is a fine view from the top.
You will make your own way to the meeting points