Hoping you can help us choose among options for one or two more day trips during our month in Rome in Oct-Nov. We think we can do 8 trips, 2 per week, and already have scheduled Orvieto, Assisi, Tivoli, Naples, half-day each for Ostia Antica and Appian Way and Pompeii/Positano (Walks of Italy tour). That leaves at least one, maybe two more spots for a day trip. When I looked for towns no more than a 2 hr train ride from Rome, the main choices appeared to be Frascati, Tarquinia, Viterbo and Bolsena. For this last day trip (or 2) we'd prefer a place that isn't terribly demanding physically and where the train will dump us off in the town without bus/taxi/long hike to get to the center. Will appreciate any opinions on the 4 options, or any other places that are better.
Posted by
the Netherlands
2487 posts
I can't advise you on your choice, only knowing Viterbo, but don't forget Spello (the classical hill town) or Foligno (amazingly attractive) which you'll pass on your journey to or from Assisi.
Posted by
Washington DC
27940 posts
You have a lot of variety there. I like the list.
Bolsena is quite small but the historic area is built up the side of a hill, and the bus drops you at the base. I wouldn't call it "terribly demanding physically", though, and I'm over 60.
Viterbo is fairly large. This online map shows the extent of the area inside the walls. Unfortunately, it doesn't include the train stations (there are two). I believe Porta Romana is down near the bottom of the map, just outside the walls in about the 5:30 position. So it's an easy enough walk into the old area. This isn't a hill city with the train station way down below, but there's a bit of uphill walking within the historic district. If Villa Lante is of interest for its gardens, be aware that you'd want to take a taxi or a bus. I think it's about 3 miles out of town. Actually, I walked it on the way back after I saw how straight a shot it was back to Viterbo. (And after I realized that the taxi had taken me for a bit of a ride...) For the bus, try to get schedule info in Viterbo. I found no information posted in the plaza from which the bus returns to Viterbo. Locals tried to be helpful but didn't have accurate info. The Viterbo T.O. also had difficulty providing accurate information on bus service--the only place that happened to me last year.
Between those two, I'd choose Viterbo. Of your other destinations, Assisi and Orvieto have a great deal to see. Try to get an early start on those days, at least. Maybe even schedule them early so you can go back a second time if you just love either one.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Bolsena has a volcanic lake, a castle (up some stepped streets), and the best gelato I ever had, at an artigianal shop on via Santa Cristina. Bus lets you off in the main piazza.
Frascati can be reached by bus or train (take the bus), beautiful gardens at the villa.
Another choice might be Castel Gandolfo, but the bus stop is slightly downhill from the town.
Trevi is near Assisi but is better as an overnight.
Posted by
OP
North Carolina
362 posts
Thanks all! I sent some PMs.