We are taking our first cruise in September and one of the stops is Civitavecchia at 7:00. We spent several days in Rome before so we don't need to go there again. We were thinking of going to Tivoli, Ostia Antica or somewhere else. We will be going to Pompeii the day before while in Naples. I saw Tivoli twenty years ago while on a bus tour but my husband has never seen it. We both like gardens and fountains so I thought it could be fun. I checked into a tour company and they wanted $700! Forget that one. Viator tours said we may not make it to Rome in time to catch their 9:00 tour. I read that this port can take awhile to get out of. It looks like Tivoli could be a challenge to get to on our own. Does anyone know of an easy way to get there or another tour company that goes there? Is Ostia Antica too similar to Pompeii or are they different enough to do both? Is there another place that would be good to see? Any other suggestions or ideas would be appreciated. Thank you for your assistance.
Posted by
Green Bay
21397 posts
What time do you need to get back to the ship? You can to Tivoli by train, but it takes about 2 1/2 hours. I don't know the logistics of how to get to Hadrian's Villa or the Villa d'Este from Tivoli station.
To save time at Civitavecchia, you could buy your tickets in advance at Naples station when you are there. That would save time at Civitavecchia because part of the delay will be the hordes of fellow travelers lined up to buy tickets. If you have yours in hand, you would just validate them and hop on the next regional train to Rome.
One more fly in the ointment would be that the regional trains from Civitavecchia stop at Termini, and the trains to Tivoli depart from Tiburtina for the most part. So you would need to change stations by bus or Metro.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
8086 posts
Besides the time at which the ship will leave whether you are on it or not, you didn't mention if this is a regular business day, making getting through Rome a little harder than usual. I can't imagine spending 4 to 5 hours travel even for a 10-hour day. I have been to Rome (for 3 or 4 days at a time) three times, and I haven't exhausted the city (and its temporary exhibitions) yet. Rome is the best bet, especially if you want to keep expenses down. You didn't mention the ship's options, or their average price.
Talking only about Rome hotel transfers, our travel agent reluctantly says a car and driver are the only way to go, but we're perhaps not as budget-minded. Lots of posters here take the train.
You could search (top center) here and TripAdvisor for terms like "Ostia Pompeii" because the comparison is frequently made. I haven't been to Ostia, but it sounds equally sun-bleached and under-serviced (I mean, like real restaurants) like Pompeii. Don't get me wrong, I wanted to go to Pompeii all my life, and loved our full day there, including the Villa of the Mysteries. I will say that I found it a small mistake to go to both Pompeii and Hadrian's Villa on the same vacation. They're not at all the same, but both wide-open, vast, sunny, hot, and fragmented.
I have heard that some of the fountains at Villa d'Este have been allowed to fall into disrepair. (Internet rumor ... ) You might check on that.
Because I don't have a specific alternative other than Rome, I'd suggest that you check the train routes from Civitavecchia north and east, and then use a library copy of Lonely Planet Italy to find an interesting city.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
I was in Tivoli for three days, there is a lot to see besides the Villa d'Este (and true, some of the fountains and garden sculptures seem to need a little TLC, but it's still a beautiful place to visit). Rome2Rio options include going to Roma to get to Tivoli, so you may not want to take the time to do that by public transportation.
As for restaurants at Ostia Antica, just outside the archeological zone (to the left of the tower) are several good restaurants and cafes. You can also catch a bus to Lido di Ostia if you want to spend some time on the beach, but since you are on a tight schedule that is probably out of the question.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11852 posts
For something completely different, Tarquinia is north of Civitavecchia and has a great Etruscan Museum as well as a burial ground with original frescos in the tombs. We found it fascinating and enjoyed a lovely lunch in town, with no other tourists.
Posted by
OP
Seattle
27 posts
Thank you for your replies. It sounds like Tivoli would take way too much time. Maybe we will decide after we do Pompeii what to go see. I'll also look at some Rome books to see what we may have missed.