We will be returning to Italy next May for the Lemon Festival in Monterosso al Mare in Cinque Terre. After 3 days in Cinque Terre, we have five (5) days that we have not planned anything. We will, however, be flying out of Rome and back to the US on May 23rd. We have decided to take day trips by train during those 5 days. My question to you seasoned travelers is this: Would you recommend staying in Florence or Rome and using that city as the hub of our day trips. What specific day trips would you recommend? We're definitely looking at returning to Assisi, Pisa, and Orvieto.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16364 posts
A lot depends on where you want to visit. Orvieto is near Rome, Assisi not so much, Pisa is way too far for a day trip from Rome.
Florence is better as a hub fot towns in Tuscany and Northern Umbria. Rome is better for Latium and Southern Umbria.
Posted by
OP
Spokane, WA, USA
121 posts
I think we made up my mind not to stay in any one place. Regardless, We'll be paying for a hotel stay no matter where we are, so we may as well play it by ear and see where the winds take us on a certain day.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32417 posts
Gregory, One possibility would be to stay 3 nights in Florence and take day trips to Siena, Pisa or Lucca (as well as touring Florence). Spend the next 2 nights in Rome with a day trip to Orvieto or Assisi. Of course you could also make that 2 nights in Florence and 3 nights in Rome, depending on which day trips are most important to you. Happy travels!
Posted by
Tampa, FL, USA
1054 posts
I agree with Ken, split up the 5 days between Rome and Florence. Also you Rome another possible trip is a visit to Ostia Antica.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15806 posts
Ostia Antica is a relatively short train journey from Rome and a very interesting site. Hadrian's Villa and Villa Esti (http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/italy/tivoli.htm) are another good day trip. Then there's the Appian Way.