My husband and I will be spending 7 days in Rome in early October. We plan to spend a few days exploring the city, but would also like to take some day trips out of town. We are planning one to Ostia Antica or Pompeii, and possibly another to Florence. Any other suggestions? If possible, it would be nice to experience some smaller villages in the countryside. We've decided not to rent a car for this trip if possible, so are interested in places we can reach by train or bus. Thanks!
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
You've already mentioned three day trips that are commonly done (although most travelers don't do Florence as a day trip from Rome because they want to spend more time in Florence than you have on a day trip, but technically it's doable). An additional day trip for you to consider, and much closer to Rome than Pompeii or Florence, are Tivoli and Hadrian's Villa. They are a pain to reach by public transportation (it can be done); Context Rome, Rome Walks, and Through Eternity each offer private tours (or did 3 years ago, I assume still do).
Posted by
Henson, Florida, USA
466 posts
Do the hill town of Orvieto between Rome and Florence. It's about a 90 minute train ride from Rome. It's a beautiful town to have lunch, visit the duomo, shop for hand painted ceramics etc.... I highly recommend it!!!! You'll want to go back again!
Posted by
San Francisco, USA
11 posts
Please, please do train up to Orvieto. The church facade there has to be one of the most beautiful in all of Italy according to lots more people than me.
The colors of the marble from turquoise to pink and every shade, practically, in between will knock your socks off.
We had lunch at a great little place called The Golden Ass, Italian sounds much better but I don't want to take time to look it up.
Also, one of Rick's favorite places is a bus ride away, Civita de Bagnoreggio. If you want to do both it might be tight unless you spend a night. I'm not sure how often buses go to Civita. I stayed in a farmhouse so we had a car.
Have fun!!!
Mary
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
7555 posts
Many mention Ostica Antica as a "day-trip" but really think of it as another site in Rome. It is a short Metro ride from Termini, hit it first thing in the morning and you are back in central Rome for lunch. Definitely Orvieto, easy trip, nice break from the hustle and bustle of Rome. Pompeii would be nice, but be prepared for a long day. If you hit Pompeii, you should also drop by the museum in Naples to appreciate.
Posted by
boulder, colorado
192 posts
Assisi is another possibility. Easily reached by train.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
I would have to argue against Assisi as a day trip from Rome. I recall that you have to switch trains and the Assisi train station is way down below the part of Assisi that you would want to see. Plus, daytripping there would put you in town at the peak time with a flood of other tourists.
That said, Assisi is definitely worth visiting if you get to stay at least two nights.
Posted by
boulder, colorado
192 posts
It is a direct train trip from Rome to Assisi, and then a 10 minute bus ride to the town. Get off at the last stop which will put you on the opposite end of town from the cathedral. Then walk downhill all the way to St Francis Cathedral. In October there will be less tourists - we were there in September and it was not too crowded. Of course, several days would be better - we stayed for 5 days, but as a day trip it is less than half the distance from Rome to Assisi as it is from Rome to Florence. And Orvieto is even closer.