There are quite a few interestig-looking small towns. Some of them will take a couple of hours to get to. Any suggesstions on which ones would be the most economical use of time? Interested in seeing Etruscan and early Roman ruins. Plus enjoying time in a small town.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Nanc1930, there are hundreds of options. From Venezia, Padova, Verona, Vicenza, Ferrara; Ravenna if you want to go a little further out.
From Firenze: Fiesole is just a hill or two away, other towns include Arezzo, Anghiari, Sansepolcro, Siena, Lucca, Pistoia, Volterra, Poggibonsi, Greve in Chianti, San Gimignano.
From Roma: Frascati, Castel Gandolfo, Orvieto, Tivoli, Cerveteri, Bolsena, Ostia Antica (in Roma).
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
Get the Rick Steves Italy book for tons of suggestions on daytrips from those places, along with information to help you decide which to do, and logistics to implement your decisions. (For example, Ostia Antica from Rome would be great choice for you.)
Have a great time.
Posted by
Firenze
500 posts
Etruscan and Roman ruins at Fiesole, 20 minutes by urban bus from Florence.
Posted by
Atlanta
5301 posts
In Venice don't overlook a trip out to Murano and Burano. Might not be considered a day trip, but it's a nice nearby change of pace.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
If you go as far as Burano in Venezia, go a little further to visit Torcello. Beautiful, off-the-beaten path island with great mosaics in the church.
Posted by
Chicago
8723 posts
IMHO the best day trip by far from florence is to take the bus to Siena for the day. The bus runs a couple of times an hour and takes about an hour and you can just leave when you feel like it -- note the second to last time on the bus stop when you arrive so you can be sure not to miss the last bus. We always aim for the second to last bus so we have a last chance if we misjudge our timing.
A great day trip from Rome is Ostia Antica on local trains. If you choose this -- and do -- be sure you bring a good map of the site with you. I downloaded a map and guide on line. Like Pompeii which it resembles, Ostia Antica is not particularly well signed. A good place to also take a picnic and bring water.
Posted by
OP
96 posts
Thanks, everyone. Itinerary shaping up !!!