How to Pack
Checklist (details below)
- Passport
- ATM card
- Lightweight, easily hand washable everyday clothes
- Comfortable shoes and/or sandals
- Appropriate clothing to visit churches
- Concert dress
- Bathing suit and cap (if desired)
- Extra music for casual reading
- Portable music stand
- Electrical adaptor
- Small, battery-operated book light
- Mosquito repellent
- All necessary medications
Money
Some U.S. cash, in case of an emergency. Generally speaking, the best exchange rates are found by withdrawing directly from ATM machines. If you intend to use your bank card to withdraw Euros from ATM machines in Orvieto, please make sure that your PIN number is 4-digits.
American Express, Diner’s Club, Visa and Mastercard are honored in most restaurants, hotels and banks in Orvieto. (Many train stations in smaller towns accept only cash.)
Dress
EVERYDAY DRESS:
Lightweight, easily washable, permanent press clothing; comfortable shoes and/or sandals. If you plan to visit churches, please remember that many do not allow sleeveless tops, miniskirts or shorts. Bring a sweater and/or jacket as temperatures fall every evening.
Commercial laundry and dry cleaning are expensive. Participants may wish to do their everyday laundry by hand (with Woolite) to dry in the warm Italian sun!
CONCERT DRESS:
Instrumentalists — Women: full length, all-black gown or black dress blouse and pants, black shoes. Men: black turtleneck shirt, or other black shirt, black trousers, black shoes.
Vocalists — Women: full length, all-black gown or black dress blouse and pants, black shoes. Optional: full length evening dress for Art of Song performances. Men: black turtleneck shirt or other black shirt, black trousers, black shoes.
OTHER:
If you enjoy swimming, please note that there is a public pool which is accessible on weekends, about 20 minutes from Orvieto. Swimming caps are required for swimming in the public pool.
Miscellaneous
Participants are encouraged to bring extra music for casual reading or study, although Orvieto Musica retains the right to assign and approve all music studied, coached and performed during the festival.
Participants may like to bring small appliances such as hair dryers, razors and perhaps a small fan. There is no air conditioning in most places in Orvieto. Large appliances such as large fans, hot plates or other cooking appliances may not be used.
The mid-day Italian sun can be intense, and you are likely to encounter hungry Orvietani mosquitoes. Please bring insect repellent and/or mosquito netting, if you think the mosquitoes will be bothersome. Please also consult your doctor about possible remedies for bug bite reactions. (We have found that Avon’s “Skin So Soft” lotion works wonders to relieve itching after these particular Orvietani mosquito bites!)