Average rating Journeys of discovery

Detailed description

"To travel is to take a journey into yourself."
Danny Kaye

What do you do when you are in a new, different, and unexplored place? You look, you pay attention, you sample, you tentatively stick your toe in the undiscovered world. Then, if you join our trips, leap! - immersing yourself just as you did as a child!

This is the essence of our trips to Orvieto, a fabulous medieval city perched 700 feet above the valley floor. Travel into the culture and into yourself. With us you will experience rather than just see. You will stay in one place for a week. You will fall into local rhythms. You will stay at a “home” rather than a hotel. Nearly all meals are unplanned so we can sample what we choose, when we choose.

We offer two kinds of trips. One, "Discover Orvieto," immerses you in the food, wine and culture of Italy, providing you authentic experiences with natives.

The other we call creative exploration. It's a cultural experience, but you also explore your creativity, develop your talents, and discover yourself through painting, photography, journaling, mixed media, quilting, self exploration and development, and more - all with no experience necessary. We hire exceptional teachers to guide the novice to expert in activities in the morning, joining our other travelers for cultural fun in the afternoon.

What do we do?
~ Stick our hands in flour and eggs and water and other things learning from our Italian chef some of the secrets of Italian cooking. Then we eat the fruits of our labors - and those of the chef's staff as well.
~ Visit our favorite barista to have a cappuccino, or cafe corretto, or cafe macchiato, all while learning how and why they do coffee.
~ Dive into the bowels of underground Orvieto where the Etruscans built a network of caves for wine and food storage, for water, and for safety.
~ Get an introduction to the history and culture all while sampling some of the local food, wine and olive oil.
~ Visit a vineyard where the owners passion for wine making is palpable, and taste his wonderful variety of wines.
~ Explore the twice weekly market full of local produce reflecting the freshness of the season.
~ Buy and assemble food and wine for picnics, learning all about the local vendors in the process.
~ Explore the wonderful food of Orvieto at the best, most local restaurants on "the rock."
~ Relax, wander, explore.
~ And, we will have surprises we simply can't anticipate. We have been building relationships with Orvietani since 2003 and the unexpected is often offered us - a look at a local woodworker's shop, a tour of the incredible medieval costumes used in their most important festival, an invitation to a children's ceremony.

We stay at a convent Bed and Breakfast which is central to our visit. Clean comfortable rooms, space to spread out in the garden, library, courtyard, or valley overlook. Four warm, welcoming nuns typically conjur up some treat from the kitchen during our stay. It is a serene place where we can unwind, relax and enjoy. It is so not a hotel!

Our trips are held in May and September-October, the shoulder seasons when the weather is perfect, the prices more modest, and the tourist less pervasive.

Orvieto is an hour north of Rome, easily accessible by train. The bulk of its visitors are day trippers who come to see the magnificent Gothic Cathedral. The city is relatively flat, about a mile long and 1/2 mile wide - a perfect size for exploring. The area is known for its olive oil and Orvieto Classico wine.

Finally, if you've read this far, you may be interested enough to learn why we do this.

Kristi's life work has been to help people release the potential that exists in each and every one of us. She has guided people to trust in, believe in, have faith in their ability to create, to express in some form what is inside of them.

Bill's work has been a search for authenticity - first by preserving our historic resources, then by planning communities that are real. Now it is authenticity in ourselves - letting the people we are free from all that holds us back. Authentic places, like Orvieto, encourages authentic selves.

Through exploration of a different culture and/or creative outlet, we hope our trips help you find your potential and your authentic self. This is not forced on you. The place, the atmosphere, the other people you join, our B&B, the culture, your heightened awareness, the chance to relax and release, we think all contribute to an exceptional week of discovery. We'd love to have you join us!