My husband and I will be in Italy (our first trip to Europe) for a 10 day photography workshop that starts April 1. We will spend April 1-4 in Rome, the 4th-6th in Florence and 6th thru 10th in Venice. While we will see many sights during these 10 days, we won't have any time to go explore on our own. Therefore, we are thinking of arriving in Rome on March 28. We are thinking of doing a day trip on both March 29 and 30, leaving the 31st to spend leisurely in Rome. I know that with day trips you only get a taste of the different areas. Considering the time of year, what day trips do you recommend? Group tours vs private tours vs take train and be on your own? Thank you in advance!
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
Orvieto is a lovely and easy day trip from Rome and can easily be done on your own. It's a beautiful hilltop town just across the border from Tuscany. Here are some photos and a few little video clips I took in May 2011: Orvieto in May 2011
Posted by
Atlanta
5301 posts
Consider a trip out to Ostia Antica just outside Rome. It is the site of the original port for Rome and is quite a different change of pace. You can get there on public transient quickly and cheaply. Google it and see what you think. It is closed either Sunday or Monday -- can't remember which.
Posted by
Phoenix AZ
635 posts
Check Rick's video "Rome - Backstreet Riches", starting at the 18:00 mark, for scenes of Ostia. Just as a teaser, here is a photo of the crowd at the entrance to Ostia Antica at mid-day a couple of weeks ago.
Here's the Ostia Antica website. It appears that the site is closed on Mondays.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11858 posts
Depending on weather...if it is bad stay in Rome. Nice day: Tivoli, Frascati, Ostia Antica, Orvieto, Tarquinia (Etruscan museum and burial site; quite amazing and off-the-beaten). All accessible by train and on your own. You can even do Pompeii in a long day, but I recommend you at least get a (private) guide to take you through the ruins so you know what you are seeing. Naples is also a possibility. Follow the Rick Steves' self-guided tour and do it on your own. Viterbo is often overlooked and has much to offer, but it is an annoyingly long, slow train ride. You could rent a car for a day and go to Civita di Bagnoreggio and Viterbo quite easily.