"Pottery heaven -- and other heavenly things" Top 5 Page for this destination Orvieto by Bunsch

That may seem like a strange question, but it is one which struck me quite forcefully in connection with Orvieto. Because one might choose to come to Italy to, inter alia, (a) be in the presence of great art; (b) see amazing church architecture; (c) enjoy the experience of life in a Medieval setting; (d) follow-up an interest in Etruscans; (e) shop for interesting souvenirs for the folks back home; (f) eat, drink and be merry. Some of those options were more apparent in one city or town than another, but I found in Orvieto the perfect synthesis of all those reasons.

So I have to say: I came to Italy in order to discover Orvieto. And though there are obviously a myriad of other cities and towns to explore, I fully intend to return. After all, I never went down St. Patrick's Well!

Part of the almost limitless variety

Saying you'd like to visit a pottery shop in Orvieto is a lot like saying you hope you can find some alabaster in Volterra or some marble in Carrara. You stumble onto pottery shops wherever you venture, and the really remarkable thing is that they do not have the same merchandise! It's such fun to decide whether you're more of a fancy-pattern person, or a historical-bent person, or perhaps you just like something simple with olives or lemons or pears? Do you want vivid glazes or something more subdued? For me, it was a balancing act -- how much could I reasonably expect to carry home (without damage or triggering duty). Fortunately, there is a range from very tiny pieces to immense platters and tureens, so you're bound to find something you'll enjoy using as a reminder of your visit to this amazing town.

The best duomo anywhere (not my pic)

Orvieto's Duomo is stunning, outside and inside. We spent quite a long while there and probably would have lingered but for the fact that a wedding was about to take place, and it seemed gauche to be gaping at the happy couple.

• Pros:Stunning cathedral, great ceramics, nice size
• Cons:1000' up is a long way to walk