I am going to a conference in Rome in January (yes, I know it is winter and low season) and after the conference is over my husband and I want to visit another city for 4 days before we depart back to the US. What would you recommend, and why? These are what we have considered as we have read that they are easily accessible by high speed train.
Florence
or
Naples
If there are better options we are open as this is our first trip to Italy.
Thank you.
Suzanne
with 4 extra days go to Florence.
With 4 days you would have barely enough time to see what Rome has to offer. Why not stay there? Otherwise I agree with Florence.
Me too. Stay in Rome, or go to wonderful Florence. Will you have any sightseeing time during your conference? If so, head to Florence for your extra time.
Stay in Roma, or go to Venezia (four hours by fast train).
Thank you! Yes, we were wondering if we should just stay in Rome since we only have 8 days total in Italy. We were planning to do a day trip to Amalfi from Rome.....is that a good choice?
I wouldn't do a day trip to Amalfi from Rome in January (too far to make it worthwhile, and you have to keep in mind the short days before it gets dark). Stick to two cities that are easy by train: Rome and Florence seem like a good combo. Of course, you can easily spend all your time in Rome too.
Thank you!
The big draw in Florence is the Renaissance art and architecture. If that's not real high on your list, consider spending the time in Bologna, only another 1/2 hour or so on the train from Rome. It's a pleasant city and a rail hub, so you can day trip to some great towns - Padua, Ferrara, Modena, Ravenna to name a few. Take into account that Florence and points north (like Bologna) can be cold and even snowy in winter.
From Rome, you can take a long day trip to Pompeii, or a 1/2 day to Ostia Antica, and/or day to Orvieto. Of course, there is plenty to keep you happy and engaged in Rome, whatever your interests are.
Another vote for staying in Rome. More than enough there to give you a really good first taste of the city. If you tire of the hustle and bustle, do a day trip to Ostia Antica. It's easy to get to using public transit, inexpensive, will not be crowded, and some of the best ruins anywhere. With an early start you can be back in the city by 3 p.m.
Throwing my vote in with the others to just stay in Rome, and especially so if your trip is next month and you've purchased tickets to fly HOME from there? There are SO many fascinating things to see in the Eternal City, and I don't know how much free time you'll have during your conference.
I wouldn't try to do the Amalfi Coast as a day trip from Rome: it's too far and daylight is too short this time of year. I'd day-trip to much-closer Ostia Antica versus Pompeii (if you'd like to see an excavation of an ancient town), and/or Orvieto instead. Florence is 90 minutes by fast trains and could be done as a day trip, if you left very early, but it's an important enough city to save for another trip that allows more time, IMHO.
Well, which one do you find more interesting? I don't have much interest in Renaissance art, but I was obsessed with Pompeii from childhood, so I know where I would go, but they are pretty different cities.
