cindyatl

I'm wondering if anyone could give me some suggestions on things to do in and around Rome, Italy? Prefer not to do all the touristy things, any small quaint, picturesque towns to visit would be ideal!

Thanks a bunch
traveling in December

J62

Orvieto

PalenQ

Castelli Romani are a string of ancient watering holes for Romans dating back to Rome's heyeday - rich folks and popes fled the summer heat to these towns dotting the Alban Hills - Castel Gondolfo is the Pope's summer residence.

I took a train to each one from Rome Termini - Frascati is the closest one I believe and has some superb villas.

So for something not that many foreign tourists do consider the Castelli Romani - also nice views over Rome spread out far below.

PalenQ

For more touristed towns yes Orvieto would be at the top of my list - and Ostia Antica is a superb archaeological site - ancient Rome's port.

Hadrian's Villa and the Villa d'Este water gardens are both in Tivoli about an hour or less east of Rome by bus. Both are awesome sites IMO.

tuscanlifeedit

There is a very good Rome thread running right now.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...do-in-rome.cfm

cferrb

I loved the Appian Way. It is closed to most traffic on Sundays, which made it a wonderful place to wander. We took a bus part of the way and then ended up catching a cab and walking back down to where the bus had dropped us off. There are catacombs and ruins, a wonderful tree-lined street and a peaceful feeling, just minutes outside of the city.