we will be done with work on weds nite and have until sunday to leave rome....we would like to venture out of rome but where to?
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8062 posts
Orvieto makes a nice easy day trip, many do Naples and Pompeii as a day trip, even Florence is OK as a day trip.
Posted by
Coraopolis, Pa, USA
1018 posts
Orvieto is a great day trip from Roma and it is only a 75 minute train trip away.
Another suggestion is to do the Villa di Este in Tivoli and Hadrian's Villa nearby.
A few years ago we did Pompeii as a one day trip. We used a company called enjoyrome.com instead of the train because it was easier.
Buon viaggio,
RB
Posted by
Alta Loma, CA, USA
1446 posts
I agree with the suggestions to visit Orvieto. I loved it! You might also consider Ostia Antica as an option instead of Pompei. Rick Steves really likes it.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
1317 posts
Florence is a long day trip, and you won't be able to get everything in one day. If you just want a taste of Florence, then one day is fine.
As everyone else has mentioned, Orvieto is wonderful and would probably be my choice. I also really like Ostia Antica, which can be done as half a day and combined with something else, such as the catacombs.
Posted by
USR, NJ
277 posts
If you do not intend to return any time soon, I would suggest Venice. It will be a very long day but you can do it. Sleep on the train. Better yet, stay over one night.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
The answer depends somewhat on when you'll be there. But I would nominate Ostia Antica, then Ostia Lido (if the weather's nice). The RS radio show this past weekend rated Ostia Antica the most overlooked/underrated site for visiting ancient ruins. I've been there and would have to agree. It's amazing, and easily reached from Rome. (Also, do pickup the most recent RS book on Rome for all the specifics on lots of different daytrips.)
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8062 posts
I would agree with Ostica Antica, but I really do not consider it a day trip. It is within the Rome Metro area (costs just a euro to get there on the metro) and takes about a half day to do, about the same as the Vatican and St. Peters or the ancient sites of the Forum, Coloseum, and Palatine hill as a group.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
I guess it depends on one's definition of "day trip." Assuming Cathy is going to be in Rome during warm weather, a combined trip to Ostia Antica followed by a trip to the beach at Ostia Lido would indeed be a pleasant day trip that won't wear you out (like trying to go to Pompeii or Florence would). Best gelato we had in Italy was in Ostia Lido. Scoops the size of a baby's head, not those puny scoops you get near major tourist sites.
Plus you'll be back in Rome in time for a nice dinner somewhere.
Anyway, it's just a suggestion.
Posted by
The Hague, NL (AMS)
2207 posts
Scoops the size of a baby's head! Michael, you need to post the name and address of that spot in Ostia Lido so I can go look it up my next trip out to the beach (since it's 40'F here,it won't be today!)
If it was late Spring or early summer, when EVERYTHING in Italy is in bloom, I'd go to Tivoli for the flowers and fountains. For a summer get-away, I might go to Ostia Antica, and as suggested, head for the beach (It is a great substitute for Pompeii). If I wanted beach without the crowds, I might go for Lake Bracciano. Museums and ruins are prevelant in this area - not to mention the castle where Tom Cruise and Katie got married. If I wanted to see a hilltown with great wines and a wonderful Duomo, I'd go to Orvieto.
If you have a car, there are even more options available to you!