Housing & Food

Where Our Students Live

Each year, Centro Studi arranges for students to live in houses and apartments in the historical district in Orvieto. Students live in lovely, fully furnished apartments within walking distance of the school. A typical apartment has two bedrooms, with two beds each, a fully equipped kitchen and is shared by four students. Additionally, included in the program fees are a weekly house cleaning, as well as sheets (changed weekly) and washing machines are available for a small fee.

In the past, several apartments have offered an outdoor patio and eating area, where students can enjoy a casual dinner (often made with food from the open air market in the warmer weather), getting to know new friends and even a glass or two of the famous Orvieto wine.

Upon arrival, students are required to pay a €100 deposit, which is refunded at the end of the stay.

There is also the opportunity for home-stays, if students are interested. This is a great way to integrate into the culture more deeply, learn the language more quickly and eat truely Italian cuisine.

To review the 2009 Handbook, which contains much of this information, please download it here.

Eating, Cooking, Meals

In general, students are responsible for making their own meals. (Exceptions are during certain field trips, when lunch or dinners might be provided. Students will be told ahead of time.) There is a conveniently located market near the center of town as well as another, larger grocery store just outside of the city proper. This offers students a great opportunity to spend time getting to know one another, in addition to the food of Italy, famous worldwide.

In warmer weather, there is an open-air market twice per week (generally Thursdays and Saturdays, 8.30 to about 14.00), where local farmers and growers come into the city (Piazza del Popolo) and sell their products. The market has nearly everything, from fresh vegetables and fruit to cured meats and cheeses, to local honey and various nuts.

There are also a host of fantastic restaurants, many of which are very affordable, right in town. Some favorites in the past have been Mezzaluna, Pizza Charlie, and the Osteria dell'Orso. To end your lunch or dinner with a fantastic gelato, check out Gelateria Pasqualetti (two locations, one near the Duomo and one on Corso Cavour).