Day trip from Rome to Assisi

Maybe you want a guide but it sounds like you want transportation. If so, here are a couple of sites:

https://www.wheretorome.com/

https://www.ncctopcar.com/en/

If you want a guide as well perhaps one these folks could help you.

My suggestion would be to take the train from Rome to Assisi and hiring a local guide in Assisi. Whether you go by train or private car, the trip is about 2 1/4 hours each way.

I agree with taking the train. I'm spoiled, I am part of an international music festival in Assisi every July. 2 weeks in a most invigorating and relaxing place I know. Sorry, I don't know any guides there but I do know that most all of the places you would want to see have information in English available. Also, RS's book does a very nice job.

Piazza Commune is a great starting place and the taxi from the train station (which is down in the valley) can drop you off right there. The church there is built on top of a Roman temple to the goddess Minerva (the church is called Santa Maria sopra Minerva). Beneath the piazza is the Roman Forum - worth a walk through. You would have passed, in the cab, a big church a block or two before the piazza. That's Santa Chiara (St. Claire). The church is beautiful and I suggest a visit - there is plenty to see under it (her body, garments she and St. Francis wore). Up above you can see another church - that's San Rufino which became the cathedral in the 9th century. It is also built on some very interesting Roman ruins. Down below is the Basilica of San Francesco. There are actually 3 churches stacked on top of each other. The art work is some of the most important in all of Italy. Way up above you can see the castle - great for views. Now the bad (?) news: much of Assisi closes for the riposo which lasts maybe from 1 o'clock to 4 o'clock. Don't let that stop you! Assisi is a beautiful place to just meander around. Sigh, only 2 months and 2 weeks and I'll be back there!

Thank you for all the wonderful information and tips. I hope we can arrange a trip for THE place my wife wants to see while we are in Italy.

When I went to Assisi, I just used Rick’s guide in his Italy guidebook and I really don’t think you’d need to hire a guide. The book tells you how to get from the station to the town, has a very good tour of the Basilica (both upper and lower) as well as the town.

I hope we can arrange a trip for THE place my wife wants to see while we are in Italy.

If time permits, do consider spending at least an overnight in this beautiful city.

The city gets swamped with large crowds during the day, but the atmosphere is peaceful and magical at night (and early mornings) without the crowds.

One day while on the bus going down to visit the beautiful Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli, I counted over 30 tour buses in one of the parking lots!

Consider eating a delicious meal at Trattoria Pallotta, on Piazza del Comune, (under an archway across from the Temple of Minerva), and a creamy gelato at Gelateria Sensi (near St. Clare’s church)

Enjoy your trip!

Srsly, if there's any way you can spend the night, do it.

If at all possible, I suggest spending a night in Assisi, as it is your wife's "gotta go" place in Italy. Here's one suggestion: book at night at Hotel Ideale, at the "top" of town, and request a room with a balcony overlooking the valley. Take the earliest train that you can to Assisi; one or two taxis are usually at the station to meet each train (don't dawdle getting off the train, so that you can get one of the taxis). Take the taxi to the hotel and drop off your luggage. Then spend the day doing Rick's Walk Through Assisi (He has a great free audiotour on the RS Audio Europe free app, and there is a long description in the Italy book.) Walk slowly DOWN Assisi, seeing the sites, ending up at the Basilica. From there, keep going down to Piazza Unita d'Italia (6 minutes walk from Basilica) and take the public bus back up to your hotel. (Ask at hotel for specifics. Buy bus ticket in the tabacco shop in the piazza.) After dinner, spend the late evening on your balcony, looking out over the valley and the city, as the church bells ring and the swallows dart high above you. Next morning, breakfast is served out on the terrace (if you wish) where you can again enjoy the view. Get the hotel to book you a taxi back to the train station. (PS: the night at the hotel will cost a lot less than a private guide, if that matters to you at all!)

Anne Robichaud of Anne’s Italy could be your answer.