Day trips from Rome

With only 4 days in Rome I would not consider taking any day trips let alone 2 or more. You already are going to be hard pressed to see the "main" tourist sites in Rome, not to mention the many other wonderful sites that Rome has to offer. I wouldn't consider cutting it short. Save the day trips for another time. I'm sure after this trip you'll find yourself coming back time and time again. Donna

Stay in Rome your 4 days then take the fast train to Naples and commuter train on to Sorrento for some nights there.

We could be more helpful if we knew you total travel plans. Over the years we are approach four weeks in Rome and still haven't seen everything that we want to see. So four days in Rome is not a lot of time.

The Rick Steves book on Rome includes all the logistical info you could want on several day trips from Rome. See also Ron in Rome: http://www.roninrome.com/sites-attractions/outside-rome

Thanks everyone. Let me clear up some details; we will be in Italy for 7 days and will be staying in Rome. I was hoping to take a couple of day trips from Rome and would like to know what day trips would be good to take.

Spend part of a day walking on the Appian Way and visiting the catacombs. Spend a day at the magnificent ruins of the port city of Ostia Antica. Info about both in Ricks's Rome guidebook.

Orvieto is a lovely hill town with some spectacular art, an hour from Rome by train. It would be a nice change from the city. Ostia, on the outskirts of Rome, would also be an enjoyable 1/2 day to full day, and it's an easy trip (as I recall, mostly be Metro). I think the idea of spending the time all in Rome with day trips is a great one. It'll allow you to maximize time spent touring, since your days are limited.

The trip to Ostia Antica from central Rome is partly by Metro, then a regionale train for a few €€. All the details are in the Rome guidebook.

With a total of 7 days, staying in Rome sounds like a smart plan. Easy day trips could include Ostia Antica, Villa d'Este and Hadrian's Villa, Florence, Orvieto, and any number of other smaller towns in the area. If this is your first trip to Europe, I'd suggest reading through a variety of guidebooks from your library to get descriptions of all your possible destinations. Looking up destinations on the internet will also give you up-to-date information on costs and times things are open. Often in Europe, museums and historic sites close one day per week which can be really frustrating if you don't plan ahead. Guidebooks and the internet should also give you advice on transportation to various sites. Italian trains and Rome public transit will likely sound confusing and a bit overwhelming at first, but they are efficient and relatively inexpensive if you take the time to figure out routes before you even leave home. Your original plan of moving down to the Amalfi Coast is also workable. Keep in mind that by late October, that area becomes quieter. If you were looking for beach time, the weather is not reliably warm and dry then. Feel free to write if you have specific questions.

Sherry is right - Orvieto is a great day trip from Rome that is not much more than an hour. It's a great hill top town. The train drops you right off at the bottom of the town where a funicular takes you up to the top. Really nice church (with famous and fancy artwork!), St. Patrick's well is a must-visit. The underground tour of the city is absolutely awesome. We visited as a day trip and liked it so much, that the next time we stayed in Rome, we took an overnight trip to the town. The town has great restaurants and it's just really fun to wonder the winding streets and drop in on a few wine bars. We've been there in the winter and the summer.

I think that four days in Rome is perfect. We spent a week there and it was almost too much time. Although the ruins are amazing (and everywhere!) there is only so much you can absorb in one trip! I think it's nice to get out of the city and experience a different view of the country.
On your way down to the Amalfi coast I recommend stopping to see the ruins of Pompeii - you could easily spend a whole day there. Fascinating and far bigger than I realized! Don't skip the Amalfi Coast...simply spectacular!

Srsly, Laura, use that link that I gave you. It's one of the best resources on travel in and around Rome that you will find.

Thanks so much everyone. Michael, I just briefly checked out that resource and it looks awesome, thanks. I think it will be very helpful in helping us decide where to go. By any chance have any of you ever stayed at the Hotel Parlamento in Rome? I am about to book a room, well by tomorrow anyway. Thanks again.

Our next trip will include close to a week in Rome, renting an apartment. We want to see more of Rome but not at a frantic pace because we enjoy relaxing and eating and don't have to fill every minute with activities. Three days on our last trip wasn't nearly enough and it takes a few days just to acclimate and get into your travel groove. I'd consider starting in Florence for two nights and then on to Rome.

Laura, if you are not already familiar with the TripAdvisor website, that would be another good resource for getting feedback on hotels. It sounds like you are planning a terrific vacation.

I would agree with Donna because there is so much to see in Rome. One suggestion would be to take Rick's suggested Ancient Appian Way Tour which gets you out of the city center and, if the weather is good, it is a beautiful walk with the smell of flowers in the air. The catacombs are fabulous. And, do the trip yourselves, without using s tour company, because you will see much more at very little cost. It is an easy trip out there on public transportation and you have a guide in the catacombs. Check out Rick's Rome 2013 guidebook for the details.

Thanks so much everyone! You all gave me such good ideas, I know we will really enjoy our trip to Rome and our day trips.