In 2019 we visited Antica Olivaia for the first time and we loved it. The location, the view from the hill on Orvieto, the hospitality, the swimming-pool, the organized diners with other guests, it was all fantastic. We promised to come back. Due to COVID, we couldn’t come earlier than May 2022 and also this second stay at Antica Olivaia was great. The welcome by Daniella & Marco was heart-warming. The region is so pretty and you can visit so many nice places, even the second time. Just ask Daniella, she has the best suggestions for locations to visit but also for the best restaurants. This year she made a reservation for us to visit the winery Madonna Del Latte. Wow, what a great experience. We don’t know when we come back, but it’s sure we will come back.
We just spent a month in Italy and visited Lazio, Marche, Emilia-Romagna, Toscana and Umbria and both of us agree that this was one of the nicest places we stayed at. It is beautifully rustic, clean, roomy and located far off the beaten path. Yet it is within easy driving distance of Orvieto. One of the great things about Antica Olivaia is the fact that both Daniela and Marco speak excellent English and so can give detailed guidance/directions on what to see in Orvieto. Daniela spent a lot of time in the USA and can speak no accent English. Both are very nice people and Marco is a top-notch chef IMO (although he doesn't like to be called a chef). Every other night the two serve a 4 or 5 course meal along with wine in the spacious and atmospheric candle lit dinning room. You definitely need to eat at Antica, but since dinner isn't served every night (but a breakfast is served every morning), Daniela will direct you to very good restaurants in Orvieto. Or you can just wander around Orvieto and try some of the higher rated ristoranti from TripAdvisor. I should add that if you go there, you will almost certainly need to rent a car as Orvieto is only accessible by driving. We drove a Fiat 500 from Florence to Orvieto to Rome and it was a good experience although some of the Italian drivers are maniacs, but we have plenty of these back in the US too. If you plan on visiting Umbria (and if you're not you should) you will want to stay at Antica Olivaia where you are sure to enjoy yourself and Orvieto. Ciao, Daniela and Marco!…
Orvieto is, of course, a magical place with all its history, duomo and caves; but what set our 3-day stay at Antica Olivaia apart from all the other places we stayed during our 5 weeks was this place and its wonderful hosts, Marco and Daniela. First, the house itself is lovely, cozy and well-designed, with an awesome dining room and view. Our guest room was quite comfortable, very clean and well-appointed, and spacious. We had a great view from that window as well. I loved having Marco teach me to make fettucine, and that entire dinner was delicious. Daniela was so warm and welcoming, and both hosts were very helpful in providing directions as well as great suggestions of where to eat, what to see and do. We truly felt we had made lifelong new friends! We will definitely be back.
We can’t say enough about how wonderful our visit was to Antica Olivaia! Daniela and Marco are the kindest of hosts. They treated us like old friends. Their cooking is incredible and we appreciated all of the tips they gave us. We only hope we can one day make pizza half as good as Marco! Their recommendations for local restaurants and places to visit were also spot on. The location is a perfect home base for discovering Umbria and Tuscany - and so nice to come "home" to after a busy day exploring. We loved walking Miles the dog - what a gentle soul he is! Cats, Quilt and Lucy, were also a pleasure to have around. Thank you for the most amazing stay Marco and Daniela, and for making us feel so at home! We can’t recommend Antica Olivaia enough and hope we can return to visit our friends one day!…
The views are spectacular and so were our hosts. Four days enjoying the region, the pool and Marco’s delicious cooking. Danielle’s restaurant recommendations were all spot on. Small local gems which we explored between the historic sites. We then followed every recommendation for Rome. The flavors and different dishes we explored were fantastic. We will definitely be back. For the car race maybe but definitely the hospitality, friendship and food. Not forgetting Miles! Thank you Danielle and Marco.
Where do I start. This was by far one of the best holidays I have had. I have never given a hotel 5 stars but this hotel deserves 10. Marco and Daniela make you feel like long lost friends. They have great knowledge of Italy and where best to visit. Marco has converted me to loving pasta as he cooks brilliantly and with such pride. The produce was always fresh and mostly picked from the grounds of the hotel. Our furry host Miles Lucy and Quilt add to the warmth of the house. The rooms are clean and the pillows are perfect as I have problems with my neck but I slept and had no pain. The views are amazing and the pool is clean and well maintained. One of the highlights of my stay was star gazing one night. Marco turned off all the lights and him and Daniela named the stars and there shining brightly in front of us was the planet Jupiter. It was breathtaking. Marco and Daniela from me and my sister we thank you so much for the absolutely amazing time you helped us achieve. We definitely will be back as soon as we can. Love to our new furry friends. XX…
Idyllic setting overlooking hills of Orvieto, beautifully restored buildings with great attention to detail in all areas. The hosts, Marco and Daniela, show great warmth, enthusiasm and attention to detail. They speak English fluently too. Food is simply delicious. This is an overlooked region of great interest and away from the usual tourist traps. Will definitely be visiting again!
We spent four days at Antica Olivaia, an absolutely beautiful spot with an incredible view of Orvieto. Marco and Daniela were fabulous hosts - from their warm hospitality and delicious meals, to invaluable restaurant and sightseeing tips, to our introduction to pasta making - everything was perfect! Thank you so much.
Just got back from an amazing 2-week trip to Italy. Stopped for 4 days in Orvieto and loved it! Daniela and Marco are amazing hosts. Their home is so pretty and welcoming. We enjoyed the views from outside overlooking Orvieto and had several swims in their awesome pool! Couldn't have asked for more interesting guests, delightful breakfasts and dinners, super amenities and guest rooms, and of course, friendly dog and cats. The kids are already asking when we can go back to visit "Daniela and Marco". Thanks for a great trip! What a beautiful life you have on top of the hill!
Daniela and Marco are a uniquely warm and welcoming couple and it was a treat spending 5 days with them and their menagerie of wonderful animals. Daniela has an encyclopedic knowledge of the area and her recommendations for places to visit and restaurants to eat at were extremely helpful. Marco’s cooking was delicious and his cooking classes were good fun. The rooms are spacious and the views are soothing. It’s a 20-25 minute drive to Orvieto, but the drive in the countryside is beautiful. The personalized attention they provide only enhanced the visit. We would return in a heartbeat
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