Hey everyone
My wife and I are planning a 5 day trip to Italy and Rome seems like a great destination.
We are interested in seeing the sites of Rome for 2-3 days, but would also like to experience some Wineries and Beaches as well.
Any recommendations for wineries and beaches near Rome? We’d be open for splitting the trip up and going to Naples/Florence for a few days if needed.
Thanks!
Order will depend on how far you are flying to reach Rome (don't recommend long drives after an overnight flight), but after you get your fill of Rome, you could rent a car, head to Montefiascone (not a wine expert, just chatted with someone about the wine of this region) at Lago di Bolseno, then drive over to the coast and return at Rome airport. Nice beaches near Capalbio.
Presuming your "5 days" does not include the flights of two days, I hope? Your first day landing, you may be tired and just want something simple and to relax around.
Check in, get settled, shower, saunter around the neighborhood you're staying in, have dinner starting around 8-ish. Walk back to hotel or wherever you're staying. Next morning, you should be good to go.
Orvieto is about a one-hour train ride from Roma Termini. It is in the Umbria region, so you would get a taste of "Tuscany." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGgXPIYIpd8
Florence via the fast train would take about? 2 hours (from Rome) landing you at Santa Maria Novella station.
We are flying from the USA. We aren’t hard set on flying to Rome, but the flights seemed to be the most affordable and best times for us
And the 5 days does not include our travel time
Hi,
My trips to Italy (the last two - Rome) have been out of Logan with a connection at Heathrow. I favor British Airways and allow a longer connection. FCO is a nice airport.
Easy by the Leonardo (at FCO) to get to Termini Station from FCO if that is how you want to travel. If you're going to have more than one piece of luggage and small hand baggage, maybe the train is not a good idea. If you're staying far from Termini, then you may have to take a cab to your hotel. So, you would need to weigh the differences.
Official, white city cabs, are 48€ (fixed) one way. There are (shared) airport shuttles that are less money. You can reserve a RT booking.
A caution about Rome cabs: If you're not aware, some have rogue cabbies that could charge some outrageous fares. If you cab it, look for https://www.romewise.com/taxi-in-rome.html
Adding: one of the posters here, Roberto da Firenze, is originally from Florence. Maybe he'll see your thread and offer some suggestions. Have fun!
When are you going to be there? That makes a difference when you're talking about beaches.
We will be in Italy from 6/1 (arriving early morning)-6/7 (departing)
Some gentle reminders in case you're not aware of or forgot:
If your wife will carry a purse, make sure it's a cross body with durable material and a strong strap. I don't know if you guys like wearing a money belt or neck wallet type for deep storage of extra cash and cards and Passports.
Keep a big city awareness. You won't be chased down. Pickpockets like to tip toe in and tip toe out very fast.
Say, "No Grazie" to persistent street vendors or petitioners.
While on a train or bus, keep your bags in front of you. Don't want to tempt anyone. Never hang a bag on the back of a chair or placed on a table for an easy grab from someone. These are extreme examples, but why give them a chance?
If you're looking to tour some major attractions: Keep in mind - The Vatican, The Colosseo, The Borghese all require timed, entry tickets.
Papal Audience on Wednesdays - St. Peter's Square will be packed until about 1:00 -ish.
If you visit St. Peter's separately, there is no fee. There is a security check as with most of the major sites. No big bags or backpacks allowed - around 14" is pretty good. There is a checkroom at the lower level stairs near St. Peter's.
If you go to the Vatican Museums first, then you go through their security check and after the Sistine Chapel visit, you're led out to go directly to St. Peter's.
No bags at all at The Borghese. You would need to check one; some consider a money belt and leave the big bags in their hotel rooms.
The Pantheon is another gorgeous, active Church. There are guards sort of eyeballing bags and people. No entry fee is required; it may change by the time you go.
I can't speak on Naples, but, I would be extra cautious about bags, money, or walking around too aimlessly come nightfall.
I found Rome to be pretty safe. I had no fear or issues.
Update: I just saw your dates. So, if you want to tour any of the timed-entry sites, you may want to check on their official sites for tickets. The Borghese may be tough to get - they sell out very fast.
Early June is nice for the beach in my opinion--the season will just be getting started, and the sea may even be a little cool, but no throngs like August. It don't think you have time to go far. Read up on the coastal areas of Lazio and southern Tuscany. Specify if you want natural beach or club, sand or pebble, etc.
Thanks! I’ll check out those beach areas.
We like sandy beaches with clear, turquoise tip waters. Not sure if we’ll find that in this area of Italy or not.
I have not been on the beach in Lazio, but in southern Tuscany there are some nice sandy beaches. Not Caribbean-Adriatic like, but still very nice. Google Feniglia (it's a spit of land just south of Orbetello) and the beaches of Maremma park.
Maybe check out this https://www.testaccina.com/a-day-from-rome-four-beaches-in-lazio-you-might-not-have-tried-isobel-lee/
Scroll down to see the different characteristics of the beaches in Rome.
I have never been impressed by any of the beaches that I visited in Italy. Of course, I never went south of the Naples area.
The best beaches that I have seen in Europe are in Greece.
Another point is that why spend the air fare to fly to Europe to go to the beach when you can find some great beaches in the USA or Caribbean?
Point taken, but in Italy you are rarely far from a beach or a site of historical interest, so some of us like to do both. It need not be a boring beach resort, some of my favorite places in Italy are small fishing villages on the sea.
