viewgirl

My husband and I are spending 10 nights in Italy end of August through 9/8. Flying in and out of Rome from Chicago. I have already booked 4 nights on Amalfi Coast at villa in Ravello. Our plan is to visit Ravello first, then on to Rome. My original plan was to spend the next 6 nights in Rome, taking a couple of day trips--one to Florence, then maybe another day trip somewhere else. We will probably visit northern Italy (venice, cinque Terre, lake como) at another time. The other option is to STAY a couple of nights in or near Florence before we end up in Rome. Has anyone done it as day trips from Rome?- Where else would be a worthwhile day trip? Sienna? Orvieto? that isn't too far from Rome and transportation is "easy"?

I've planned all of our trips through your great advice--and swore I would NOT be doing this when traveling to Europe, as it seems so intimidating because of the language...... but here I am again.Can't find a tour that I like. Actually I've never taken a tour. I've got to get myself an English/Italian dictionary!

OReilly

I have done day trips to both Florence (twice) and Orvieto from Rome, which were both great and 'doable'.

However, I do think Florence deserves more than a day trip - I have done three trips staying from 4 - 10 days.

Click on my name to see my half finished report from Rome in October 2016.

Its a tough call. there is SO much to do in Rome, you can easily fill all your days without going outside it.

kybourbon

Florence is an easy day trip (90 minutes by fast train), but Siena really takes too long (3 hours one way). Orvieto is a bit easier (about 1 1/2 hours by regional train).

I can't see where it's beneficial to stay in Florence for only 2 nights as that still only gives you one sightseeing day.

If you look at it, arrival day is going to be taken up with reaching Ravello. If you arrive Rome early morning (7-8), it could be closer to noon before you reach the train station in Rome and then you still have several hours of travel to reach Ravello.

PalenQ

Orvieto? that isn't too far from Rome and transportation is "easy"? >

Orvieto is the classic Italian hill town -take regional trains that are dirt-cheap and are best bought just before the train (unlike the fast Rome-Florence trains that you can get deep discounts on by booking - in stone a certain train - no changes - far in advance at www.trenitalia.com or www.italotreno - both about the same.

An easy short day trip from Rome goes to Ostia Antica -ancient Rome's port and a classic archaeological site on par IMO with Pompeii, which you will probably have seen however.

Tivoli makes a great easy day trip by train or bus -see the Villa d'Este's famous playing water gardens and Hadrian's Villa-another classic Roman ruin -one of the very best I've been to - do those both in one easy day.

Florence is Florence is so neat - even for one day on a day trip - would be my top recommendation.

For lots of good info on trains check www.seat61.com - great advice on discounted tickets (as is kybourbon who posts above); www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com.

viewgirl

Thank you for all of your advice---train info too, which is very helpful. I have already done lots of research reading, but nothing beats comments from those who have been there.

viewgirl

I am also reading about Assisi as a day trip. A friend of mine said that was one of her favorite cities. Although it is a little over two hours----what would be the transportation? Trains? bus?

OReilly

One tip: If you are in Rome over a weekend, then get out for at least one of those days to somewhere that does not have an airport.

See my trip report for more details.

The hoards descend on Rome on Friday evening by Ryanair, and leave on Sunday night.

Take a day trip out of Rome to Orvieto VERY early on a Saturday or Sunday morning, and do not return until late! You will thank me for that tip!

PalenQ

I am also reading about Assisi as a day trip. A friend of mine said that was one of her favorite cities. Although it is a little over two hours----what would be the transportation? Trains? bus?>

Either one but trains would be my choice -but trains dump you off at the bottom of the huge pile of rocks Assisi gloriously tops - buses take you right up to the town center(from train station too of course) - IMO not as dreamy a hilltown but if into St Francis and Ste Clair perhaps more interesting.

Walk out of town a bit to St Francis' rural abode where he allegedly talked to the birds!

Lots of churches closed 12noon-3pm though -not great for a day trip -may have changed and don't wear shorts or revealing outfits.

Jean

I'd leave Florence for another trip. There's a lot to see, and it will be crowded.

Assisi is well over 2 hours each way because the train station is at the bottom of the town and the basilica and the rest of the historical center are at the top. It's too far to walk from the station, but there's a bus that takes about 15 minutes not counting wait time.

I agree with OReilly about Rome filling up on weekends.

denisea

We loved Orvieto and I also agree with Tivoli. Villa d'Este is a favorite for me.

Leely2

I've been to Assisi as an overnight from Rome a couple times and a day trip to Orvieto once. Both excellent. Assisi can be very touristed during the day but is magnificent in the evening and in the early morning. I've always just taken a taxi from the train station to the upper city.

bvlenci

<i> An easy short day trip from Rome goes to Ostia Antica </i>

Actually Ostia Antica is within the Rome city limits, so that's like taking a day trip to Brooklyn from New York. I agree that it's a great way to spend a day in Rome.

http://ostia-antica.org

I once took a day trip to Assisi from Rome. That was a long time ago. I've been back many times, but now I live in Italy, and we drive there. It was a very rewarding day trip, and Assisi is one of my favourite towns. It's set in beautiful countryside, and is a very attractive town, although it does attract a lot of visitors, especially on weekends. (So does Orvieto.) The train ride also passes through scenic countryside.

The upper and lower basilicas of St. Francis are open throughout the lunch hours, and those are what most people go to Assisi to see. The Basilica of St. Clare, the church of San Damiano, and others, close from 12 to 14, but if you want to see them, it's easy to plan around these hours, and you'll probably be eating lunch yourself a good part of that time.

You usually have to change trains to get to Assisi, but there are a few direct trains. If you can get up early enough, there is a 7:58 direct train from Termini station that arrives in Assisi at 10:07, giving you plenty of time to see the town. The bus to go up to the town should be waiting at the station. There's a direct return train at 16:24, and another at 18:27.

http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en

There's no advantage to buying the tickets online, as these are unreserved trains. To save time in the morning, you could buy the tickets at any train station in It; you need to know the day you'll be using them, and you need to stamp the ticket before boarding the train, to establish the time of travel.

Orvieto is also a very nice town, also high on a hill. In this case, a funicular railway takes you up and down.

kybourbon

Assisi is a bit far. I would go to Orvieto instead.

viewgirl

Thanks to all of you, kybourbon, PalenQ, OReilly, denisea, Leely2, Jean, I think we will take one of our side trips on the weekend, thanks to your advice, OReilly. I did not know about the crowds on the weekends as opposed to during the week. The transportation is what has me the most worried as to what to buy ahead of time or not---so the fast train we can buy online and the local trains not? Thanks for that info bvlenci and palenQ. From all of your advice, I think we will just stay in Rome and take day trips from there. It appears that the transportation is good, and fast----so much better than packing up, and having to check in and out of hotels for a day or two. Now the next decision is to choose a city or two---and you've given me a great selection. Has anyone taken a one day side trip tour to any of these cities, or have you just researched and planned on your own?

Jean

If you want to escape the heat and crowds of Rome for a few hours, take the train to Frascati (30 minutes). (There's also bus service from Rome, but I haven't used it.) Known for roast pork and the dry, slightly sweet Frascati Superiore white wine, Frascati is a nice place to go for lunch or a late afternoon gelato or glass of wine. You can buy a prepared sandwich or the makings of a picnic. The town is on a hill so it's sometimes cooler than Rome, and you can see Rome in the distance. The gardens of Villa Aldobrandini, which remind me a bit of Tivoli, are open to the public most days, but you should check the hours.

OReilly

Viewgirl, you have NO idea just how awful it gets, and I was there in October!

Another point: When visiting the important sites, get their 15 minutes BEFORE they open and get in and out. That is true of every day. Don't leave the important sites for the weekend - you will spend more time in a line-up than you will actually visiting.

HappyTrails2

We have been in Rome for all of March and have taken a few day trips. We loved Tivoli (Villa d'Este and Hadrian's Villa), and Orvieto as day trips. We considered a quick trip to Florence for lunch, but the price was too much for us...35€ per person for the train. If we had not been there a few times on previous trips, it might have been a more attractive option...for lunch, it was too much. We visited Ostia Antica on a previous trip and we weren't impressed, maybe because we saw Pompeii first. Others will disagree. Whatever you decide, you can't go wrong.

kybourbon

To small towns such as Orvieto there are no fast trains. Fast trains stop only at major cities. A few stop at smaller towns (a few stop in Pisa), but most don't.

>>>I was there in October<<<

October is not off season as the Vatican schedules many things for that time. Like any major city in the world, there isn't much of an off season (parts of July/August because of the heat, a bit of January/February).

If you want to escape for a weekend, I would take the train to Chiusi Chianciano (a few stops past Orvieto) and change for the bus to Montepulciano (about a 30-40 minute ride)to spend the weekend. Perhaps head back to Rome on Monday morning.

wikoffclan

IMHO your day trips depend on your interests. When I took my 20-something son to Rome the highlights of his trip were a Segway tour of Rome and a day trip to Ostia Antica. When I took my best friend to Rome her highlights of our time were a day trip to Orvieto and a guided tour of the Coliseum and the Forum. Having been to Pompeii, I'd choose Ostia Antica. And Orvieto is a wonderful example of an Italian hill town. Both very easy to reach by train from Rome. Half the fun is in the planning. Have fun! It's the unexpected that's the most memorable.