I am looking for suggestions and practical advice on what to do with two extra days near Rome at the end of our trip.
Due to the canonization mass, I was only able to secure our hotel until April 24 in Rome and we fly out of FCO early on the 26th. I would love to go to Assisi for the 24th, but am nervous to spend the 25th as well because we need to be at FCO by 8:15am on the 26th. Should I scrap Assisi all together and just try to find another place in Rome? Is there a nice location to explore for a couple nights within an easy cab ride to FCO, like the Ostia Antica area? Does anyone have any FCO hotel advice?
Also, if I end up anywhere outside of the usual public transit options of Rome, should I rent a car so as not to hassle with public transit/luggage/early FCO departure?
So many questions! I am very open to any thoughts you might have!
Posted by
Seattle
4637 posts
We stayed at Hilton because our flight was very early in the morning. The hotel is connected by a walkway to the airport. It is easy to get to downtown by train from the airport. I would not bother with a car. Driving in Rome and around is little scary.
Posted by
OP
198 posts
Thanks for the hotel suggestion- it looks like a great option! I love that it is connected to the airport! I am not a fan of "one night stands", staying at a hotel only one night, so do you think there would be enough to keep us busy for two nights? I feel like staying at an airport hotel in the Eternal City for two nights breaks some kind of unwritten travel rule! My son is currently reading a book set in Ostia Antica, so maybe explore that a bit? Oh...and food....any suggestions? It seems like it would be hard to avoid tourist trap restaurants when staying at the airport? Thanks again:)
Posted by
Seattle
4637 posts
We also stayed two nights. The hotel has restaurants. There is a hotel bus which has a schedule and goes to Rome downtown for free if you are a hotel guest. You can also go by train from the airport but that of course is not free. There is not much to do around hotel unless you have a car. We went to downtown.
Posted by
OP
198 posts
Wow, a shuttle too? Are you then on your own to get back to the hotel?
Posted by
Seattle
4637 posts
No, the same bus has schedule from downtown back to hotel. You have to remember where to board it back. It's actually not like shuttle bus, it's a big bus. But when it's full it leaves. I saw few times that it left some people. But of course you can get back by taking train from Termini Station to the airport.
Posted by
Sidney, BC, Canada
887 posts
Ostia Antica is worth a visit - it is a city and covers a huge area. Think Pompeii without the crowds and the tragedy (the town was deserted when the port silted up). You can easily spend a day there. There are a few hotels and B & B's in the area (google Ostia Antica accommodation). It is close to the airport so you could easily get a taxi from OA. Added bonus - OA is a short distance from the seaside town of Ostia if you want to have some beach time.
Posted by
San Jose, CA
1994 posts
Another possibility would be Orvieto. It's an hour north of Rome by train. You could spend two days, one night there, and then return to Rome the evening before your flight, staying at the airport hotel. If you haven't been, it's a lovely ancient town, with a beautiful cathedral, Etruscan sites nearby, interesting shops, nice restaurants, and pretty areas to walk or hike. It has some of the feel of Assisi, but it's much closer to Rome.
Posted by
Tampa, FL, USA
1054 posts
I loved Ostia Antica and walking in all the ruins and houses unlike the Roman forum where you are only on a path. It's a large area to explore. My only regret is we went there late at 3pm and left at sunset shortly after 6. I would have liked another couple hours there.
Posted by
Vignola, MO, IT
654 posts
I also liked Ostia Antica. I spent about 4 hours there and left when it got really hot (I was there last July). Highly recommend it.
Linda