3rd June

Civitavecchia Sunny Temp 28c.

Through the night we continued along the west coast of Italy towards Civitavecchia which is the port for Rome. Having been to Rome quite a number of times we decided to go on a ships tour to Orvieto which is a medieval town about 2 hour drive from Civitavecchia. Our tour started in the Princess Theatre at 7.15am so we ordered breakfast in our cabin for between 6 & 6.30am. and it turned up at 5.45am.and  I was having a lovely sleep.

Orvieto is a hill town and there is a steep winding road to get up there. Once we reached the town a local guide joined us and we went on a walking tour. From the car park where we left the bus we walked through narrow very picturesque cobble stoned streets on the way up to the Duomo or Cathedral of Orvieto. The building began in 1290 when Pope Nicholas IV blessed the first stone. The Façade is covered with sculptures depicting parts of the bible. The side walls are constructed using alternating courses of white travertine and green-black basalt.  The interior is divided into a nave and two aisles with imposing piers with richly sculptured capitals. The frescos have to be seen to be believed; unfortunately no photography is allowed inside. After our visit to the Duomo we had some free time to walk around the town. We shopped for a named plate for our collection and of course a frig magnet. At 1pm we met our guide and were taken to lunch in a local restaurant. On the menu was chicken with lemon sauce or rabbit cook the Umbrian way with olives etc.  I had chicken and Betty had rabbit which she says was very nice. The lunch was served with local wine so we were all very cheerful when we got back on the bus. Bev & Ian were on the same tour and they sat with us at lunch, there was another couple on our table from Brisbane and they are square dancers so guess what we talked about. Most people on the way back to the ship took the opportunity to have a nap. It was a trying but wonderful day. We sailed at 7pm after we had to wait for one bus from Rome which was late. We are now on our way to Livorno.