We will be in Rome for a week over Christmas. We will see plenty of museums/art in Rome, so are looking for a day trip, or possibly one night, to see beautiful countryside and/or the ocean. We will not have a car. Thanks.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32386 posts
Teal, Another vote for Orvieto! It's a beautiful Umbrian hill town with an interesting history (but not close to the sea). Be sure to see the Frescoes on the ceiling in the Duomo - incredible! Happy travels!
Posted by
Toledo
653 posts
How about Ostia Antica, the old port city of Rome?
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
By the ocean, I assume you mean the sea. Going to the ocean would be quite a long trip. :-) That said, the coastline near Rome at that time of the year will be pretty unremarkable. I suggest an easy daytrip to Orvieto by train. Happy travels.
Posted by
Scottsdale, AZ, USA
1127 posts
Another vote for Orvieto!
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
I love Ostia Antica too, but not in late December! :-) Here are some pictures from our recent trip to Orvieto, to give you a little taste: Orvieto May 2011 Also, Ron in Rome has excellent info on a daytrip to Orvieto. Happy travels.
Posted by
OP
Omaha
15 posts
Thanks for the help. Orvieto sounds (and looks) beautiful. Thank you for the links.
Posted by
Toledo
653 posts
Michael, yes, it can be a little breezy at that time of year!
Posted by
roswell, ga, usa
1501 posts
Orvieto looks lovely -- I have a bad back -- steep hills/difficult walking? I can walk all day, but the hills
kill me!
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
You can avoid the hills in Orvieto pretty easily, unlike some places such as Vernazza and Positano which are built on a steep slope. The historic upper part of Orvieto is built on a fairly flat "mesa" for lack of a better term. You get there by taking the funicular up from the train station. Do NOT do the La Rupe Trail, though, if you want to avoid steep slopes.
Posted by
Alta Loma, CA, USA
1446 posts
I definitely agree with the others...Orvieto makes a really nice day trip from Rome & it's a dynamic little town with lots to do. If you go, you might consider the underground tour; it was very interesting & only an hour long. Definitely see the facade of the Duomo when the sun is illuminating it; it's spectacular.
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
The funicular ticket also includes the bus up to Piazza Duomo, and you receive a discount by showing your train ticket.
Posted by
Boulder, CO, USA
719 posts
If you're keeping it close, I also vote for Orvieto. My favorite town in Umbria, however, is Assisi. Not as flat as Orvieto, but has an Excellent Basilica (the Cathedral in Orvieto is world class, too), a few castle ruins and just an excellent feel. I love wandering the back streets in that town, it just feels so medieval. I go to Assisi on every trip to Italy. It isn't to far from Rome that an Overnight is still quite pleasant. Whichever town you visit, do yourself a favor and stay the night. You won't feel rushed and you can relax with the town into the evening.