Departing a cruise 7am at Civitaveccia and heading into Rome for a few days with family including 11/13yo girls. Wondering if there is a place worth stopping and seeing along the drive or with a slight detour that you'd recommend... or if that area is better to just drive in and focus an additional day in Rome itself. This forum has so many knowledgeable travelers I appreciate any advice in advance. First time visitors.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16718 posts
Mary, as a first-time visitor, I would take a train directly into Rome. If you only have a few days in the Eternal City, you don't need a detour as there's more to see in the city than you can possibly cover in a couple of days. There's also no need to drive nor do you WANT to as Rome is best seen on foot and via public transit.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23653 posts
There is almost nothing but countryside between Civit.. and Rome. Take the train to Rome.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
8051 posts
Mary, surely you weren't thinking of driving around Rome to look at things ... ... were you? That would be several times crazier than driving into Los Angeles and stopping the car at Starbucks for a coffee before parking in front of the Disney Concert Hall for an event. Having the car to spend 24 hours in Rome will cost you several of those 24 hours, if no one crashes into you.
Posted by
OP
Oregon
372 posts
To clarify- was debating a paid driver to take us from cruise port to hotel/apartment/etc in Rome vs train. Once at lodgings we would use our own two feet or public transit for getting around.
In reading the RS Rome book and seeing side trips such as Ostia Antica I just wasn't sure if there was something worth spending a few extra hours on in the general area we were traveling. Lake Bracciano is the only thing I really saw - really just making sure there wasn't some cool off the beaten path something worth seeing. Sounds like there isn't!
Posted by
Rome
62 posts
There are places you could visit in between - the Ghetto in Civitavecchia, as well as Forte Michelangelo there, or Castle Santa Severa, on the route to Roma. Also worth mentioning, apart from Lake Bracciano, is the beautiful medieval Tolfa up on the hills above Civitavecchia - but as already pointed out... if it's your first time here, the best course of action is heading straight into Rome - enjoy your stay!
Posted by
Liberty, Missouri
265 posts
Use a car service as it is so much easier and quicker. Dump your luggage at your lodging and hit the streets of Rome ASAP. You only have a few days and there is so much to see and do in Rome you don't need to stop anywhere on the way to Rome.