day trip from Rome

I would choose between Ostia Antica and Orvietto.

Depending if you prefer the Antique Rome or the Rennaissance. Orvietto is very easy to access by the Intercity Train, and then a taxi to the old town.

Ostica Antica is great. Visited there last fall. It is done in half a day or so. Be sure to get good directions as you take the metro and change to a train. Be sure to come back before the evening rush hour. That was a big mistake for us. The metro was so packed not one more person could get on. We even waited through 3 metro trains before we could get on one.

Assisi is a great place to visit. We stayed 2 nights there but it could be a day trip. It requires being able to walk up steep hilly roads.

Ostia Antica is about 1/2 hour away and a half-day would be enough.

Pisa is 2.5 to 3 hours each way by train and decidedly *not* worth it, in my opinion. Florence - 1 hour 40 min - decidedly is.

Pompeii is about 2.5 hours each way and requires a change of train in Naples, from Trenitalia to Circumvesuviana.

For something reasonably close, consider Orvieto, a medieval town on an outcrop of tufa about an hour each way.

Orvieto and Ostia Antica are easy and quick to reach and will be a very different atmosphere, a real escape, from Rome.

Pisa is too far and not worth traveling that distance for just the day.

Pompeii is also far, but is more interesting and worth your while for a one-day effort. However, keep in mind that daylight hours will be short in December, so plan accordingly.

I agree with zerlina, Florence by the Eurostar or Orvieto by the intercity train would be great day trips. Regardless be sure to dress warm, coats, gloves, etc., because it can really get cold and windy along the coast at Ostia Antica or anywhere north of Rome. Have a great trip and remember a gelato last longer in the winter.

Here's a second "yes" in favor of Ostia Antica. Florence is great but really more than a day trip, while Pisa is a good bit further and not worth traveling that far to see (it's a much better day trip from Florence).

Will also suggest Tivoli to see the Villa d'Este and Hadrian's Villa, both excellent. This is an easy day trip from Rome.

Scout, if you are not planning to return to Italy in the near future, I would suggest taking a day trip to Florence. True, you will not see it all but you will get the flavor. The city is quite compact. Years back a friend and I spent 10 days in Rome in February. She was not feeling well so she suggested that I take a day trip to Florence with a tour company. Glad I did. Was picked up at hotel, had a tour of the center of the city, the cathedral, saw the David, had a good lunch, and was returned to the hotel. No hassle. Of course, you could do the same thing on your own. But since your trip will be in winter, you might consider an organized tour to make the best of your time in Florence. The days will be short at that time of year.

I have since returned to spend more time in Florence in better weather but remembered that cool February day in that beautiful city.

I totally agree with latedaytraveler. Florence is an excellent suggestion, and though a day isn't ENOUGH it's enough to get a feel for the city, some lovely pics, see some beautiful sights, do some shopping, and grab gelato and a fantastic meal. And that's everything that makes a great day trip in my book for sure.

If you want somewhere closer, yes, both Ostia Antica and Orvieto are great. If it's not raining (or doing more than drizzling a bit) I'd suggest Tivoli. Yes, everyone will think me mad, but one of my best experiences there was in the middle of December, under a grey sky, in a light drizzle. There were no tourists I could FINALLY get all the photos I want to, and even at this time of year Tivoli is reasonably verdant because the area around Rome doesn't have a real fall so much. But it was nice to be there and finally sketch and relax in peace and honestly, the fact it was like around 50 degrees didn't bug me.....but I'm from Chicago. If you're from Florida or some nice part of Aus, Tivoli in December may not be for you.

Took a half day trip to Tivoli, Villa d'Este, in September. Loved the gardens, if you are a gardener it's worth considering, and I think it would be ok in December, it's mostly shrubs and fountains.

I like Orvieto, Tivoli, or Ostia Antica... All are close and convenient to Rome. These links give you some more info on how to get there, pictures, and some facts! Good Luck!

Day Trip from Rome - Ostia Antica
http://www.roninrome.com/2009/05/02/day-trip-from-rome-ostia-antica/

Day Trip from Rome - Orvieto
http://www.roninrome.com/2009/05/09/orvieto-day-trip-from-rome/

Day Trip from Rome – Tivoli (Villa D’Este)
http://www.roninrome.com/2009/05/13/tivoli-villa-deste/

Hi Scout 12 - We went to Frascati. Maybe less than a 1/2 hour ride from Termini. Great Wine! If you go they say Sundays are the best day. Also, try and remember btwn the hours of 12-3p mostly everything is closed - this is so the families can have the meals together. Here is a links that might help you...
http://www.italyheaven.co.uk/frascati.html



Tivoli is beautiful - I believe a little hard to get to - we used a tour company to take us Villa D'este is breathtaking!
http://www.tibursuperbum.it/eng/monumenti/villaadriana/index.htm

Enjoy
Margarita

Thanks everyone for all your help! I think we narrowed it down to Ostia Antica, Orvietto, or Tivoli. Florence is wonderful, but we will save that for another Italian trip when we can focus on Tuscany.