ostia

Ostia is very easy to do on your own. The local train takes you within two blocks and less than hour from the Termini.

Frank is right. Getting to Ostia is very easy. If you go on your own you enter the back way. My advice is walk all the way up to the front where the visitor's center is. Do the museum first, then work your way back to where you came in. (The most interesting things are in the front half) Having said that, we did pass a few tour groups and I thought the people on the tour were getting valuable information. You might look into whether there are any tours that leave from the visitor's center. Then you could stay after the tour and explore on your own.

When we were there, there were freelance guides waiting to offer tours. We didn't accept, but halfway through walking the site, we'd wished we'd hired one.

We tagged behind a small group and heard some of the history. It's best to learn more from an actual person than trying to read the boards along the way.

Ostia is very easy to reach. it's a metro ride, then one transfer. The train lets you out just a few blocks from the site.

One couple had a student that was taking them to all the sites, he stayed with them for a couple of days while they did sightseeing. Not sure how they hired him, but you might try a google search!

Thanks!!!Looks like I'll wing it on my own.==Bill

We were down the street and across the river from the Vatican. Took I believe the #64 (the one everybody warns you about) to the trolley cars/buses and then got off at the train station across from the Pyramid. Maybe 1/2 hr. or a little more on the train and then just a couple of blocks' walk, like everybody's mentioned. To note: follow the advice about walking up to the visitor center first! We walked ALL over, everywhere, up & down every stair and nook and cranny, had lunch and kept going farther and farther out. By the time my husband realized he wanted to see the museum too (back by the cafe/visitor center), we had to go all the way back and then ALL the way back through Ostia again and out to the train station. I bargained and said I'd go, but he'd have to let me shop for more jewelry in Piazza Navonna that night......Oh...we had downloaded RS's mp3 info on Ostia and there was quite a bit of info and interesting things we learned. I'd printed out some info on Ostia as well to bring along. Of course, there's books in the visitor shop too.