This Little Piggy went to Market…twice!  On Thursdays and Saturdays Orvieto hosts a market filled with the freshest fruits, veggies and more.  It’s a wonderful, colorful way to experience a slice of life. By law, 60% of the vendors must be local, the rest regional.  Vendors set up their stalls early and are cleaning up by mid-day.

Try some peaches that taste like they were just picked (maybe they were!) or some cherries.  Find beans in every shape and size, and peppers in a rainbow of colors.  Squash blossoms, eggplant and tomatoes are sold beside specialty foods.

Of course you’ll also find meats, cheeses, fish, nuts, and flowers. There’s clothing, socks and shoes, scarves, linens, and fabric.

The down side for me is that I don’t cook while I’m in Orvieto, so I pick up some fruit to snack on and just enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the rest! As an avid photographer, there’s plenty for me to enjoy. Often I will spot Chef Lorenzo, who runs our cooking class, taking his students around the market.

I’m not the only one who runs into someone I know at the market.  The market fills the Piazza del Popolo, which literally translates to the piazza of the people, so you can imagine it’s filled with locals.  People come to shop, but also to greet friends and exchange news.  I love to sit with my cappuccino and just people watch.  Vendors chat with patrons as they make their purchases, friends stop to catch up.  You really feel the sense of community all around.  I love this glimpse into life in Orvieto!

Try these other posts:

The Majestic Duomo of Orvieto

Italian Cooking

Michelle Logue leads cultural and creative adventures in Orvieto, Italy. With a mandate to provide "travel that transforms", Adventures in Italy gives guests an immersive experience. After more than 15 years of return trips, Orvieto has become a welcoming home base surpassing the typical Italian vacation. Adventures in Italy operates trips in May and September, with two options: Artistic Enrichment nurtures creative expression, while Discover Orvieto invites visitors to focus on the history and culture of Orvieto and live as locals. Find out more about tours and special offers by following Adventures in Italy on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and visit www.adventuresinitaly.ca Slow Travel Tours is an affiliation of small-group tour operators who offer personalized trips in Italy, France and other European countries.