Hidden gems in Italy - easy access from Rome

Posted by Robyn (Canada) on 05/26/19 03:30 PM

Hello! I am going on a cruise with my husband in October that starts and ends in Rome, and we are looking to fly into Rome early so that we can spend 3-5 days exploring another part of Italy.

Can anyone recommend a town to spend those few days before the cruise? We would like something that is easily accessed from Rome (ie not an 8-hour trek, but a few hours by train is ok), picturesque and interesting.

Are there any hidden gems that we should consider for those few days? Also would love to have Airbnb recommendations if you have them.

Thanks for any help!

Posted by Marduk

05/26/19 03:42 PM

84 posts

What about Viterbo? Never heard it? Good, it qualifies for a hidden gem than, I guess. :-)

http://www.minorsights.com/2015/05/italy-profferli-of-viterbo.html

It's a small town though, so 2 nights should be enough, but you can do some interesing day trips to nearby villas and make it 3-4 nights.

Posted by Priscilla

California 🦋

05/26/19 04:05 PM

5298 posts

Robyn,

Have you been to Italy before?

If not, do consider going to Florence, with possible day trips to Siena, &/or Lucca.

Also consider going to Assisi and taking a day trip to Spello.

I also enjoyed Orvieto.

What are your interests?

Have a wonderful trip!

Posted by Claudia

Land of La

05/26/19 04:12 PM

9315 posts

Perugia, Orvieto, Chiusi, Tivoli, Bracciano.

All reachable by train.

Ciao

Posted by Frank

Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA

05/26/19 04:33 PM

23652 posts

There are no hidden gems. A lot of interesting places but all well discovered and discussed. Florence is full of tourist but well worth the effort. Of course places like Montepulciano, Siena, etc. are all interesting, picturesque but you will have lots of friends.

Posted by Tim

Wyckoff, NJ, USA

05/26/19 05:03 PM

8015 posts

Because you're going in October, I'm inclined to suggest Naples and Sorrento, so you can see Pompeii, Positano, and Capri when they are less crowded than high season. But if you have never been to Italy, you need more than 3 days in Rome. (Think about departure day and 3-hour check in for the plane, BTW. Also learn about annoying distance to Civitavecchia.) The conventional first visit is Rome-Florence-Venice. That's what we did.

It might be more work than it's worth to sleep three nights in (... off the cuff ...) Orvieto, unless you are ALREADY experienced Independent Travelers. (We didn't see Orvieto until our fifth visit to Italy.) I agree that Tivoli is a high point of near-Rome, but there's not three days of sights there.

Posted by princess pupule

martinez, ca, usa

05/26/19 05:40 PM

2427 posts

hey robyn
check out
beautiful countryside day trip: castelli romani (withlocals.com)
oldfrascatiwinetour.com (read about us and blog)
calcata.info a small medieval bohemian commune with artists, living in "caves", studios that some sell their artwork, walk the cobblestones paths, the cats roaming freely, stop for a coffee and something to eat at small cafe.
atlasobscura.com search calcata
traveller.com.au search calcata
spend your time in rome, take a day trip to florence on the train, depending on how many days 3-5 and your budget in euros, check booking.com with your dates. cancelleriadieci guesthouse in the navona area has either double room or one bedroom apt both with a terrace. tritone top house, pettinary village b&b. olivetreehill.com just a few places to check out.
we always look for a place with a balcony/terrace for coffee and vino. hope this gives you some ideas and get your research going.
since you are going on a cruise out of rome, look at your map since the cruise port is almost one hour away from rome. is there a shuttle if you train to civitavecchia that takes you to ship, it is a walk pulling luggage, we took a cab (long story $$) have fun and enjoy
aloha