I am planning a 2 week trip to Venice, Florence, and Rome at the end of June. We will be using a guide in Rome for 3 outings; one day around the city, a day to Pompeii and a day trip to the countryside. Our group consists of our family with 2 teens age 16 & 13 and my in-laws, who are in their 60s and in good health. All members of the group are interested in history. This outing will be later in the trip - we will have already been to Pisa & Lucca (from Florence). I have been offered the following suggestions for our day into the country. I would like it to be a nice break from the pace of the city. Can anyone help me with this decision? I've looked at all the options on the web and nothing is jumping out at me.

1. Tivoli gardens & Hadrian's Villa
2. Etruscan tour, Cerveteri, Tarquinia, Tuscania
3. 2 of the 3; Orvieto, Viterbo, Gardens of Bomarzo
4. Sabina countryside & the Abbey of Farfa
5. Castetelli Romani - Nemi Lake

Any advice is much appreciated!

One day for Rome? Incredible..I would forget about the 3 outings outsite the city and concentrate in knowing and enjoy the wonders, the beauty of the majestic Eternal City..Unless of course, you are very familiar with Rome and want to explore other places.

kismetchimera, I think the OP may mean that she has a guide for one day around the city, not that she will only be spending one day in the city (or at least I hope not!).

Tracy

I have been to most of the areas your guides are suggesting, except Sabina...my preferences are just that so I don't want to put anything down. All these recommedations look excellent!
Here's the run-down on each from my perspective:
1. I am a Roman ruins freak so a trip to Hadrian's Villa is excellent. Having said that, about all most people who AREN'T ruins freaks get out of it is its sense of grandeur. There's not much left there, but what's there is astounding. re: the "day in the country"...I have always found the landscape around this part of Italy disquieting. I know that sounds all "feng-shue" and hippy-dippy but although it is hilly and green, it is not very pretty. I cannot explain why it is not a pleasing panorama, but it is not. Have not done the Gardens- have heard WONDERFUL things though and they would be beautiful in June.
2. Etruscan: This is probably one of my top two. It is quite close to Rome but a very different thing from Rome & Tuscany. If you can get DOWN INTO the tombs at Tarquinia in addition to Cerveteri this would get my vote I think...try to get the kids to learn a bit about the Etruscans before you go, otherwise it may seem more like primitive Roman to them.
3.Love, love, love Orvieto. Absolutely lovely town and the lovliest church in all Italy. Love Viterbo too. Haven't done Bormarzo. This would get my #2 vote.
4.Know nothing about this one. Looks fine but still I'd bet it's not as interesting as some things in Rome.
5. Pretty area. Again, the terrain around here makes me claustrophobic for some reason. For no particularly good reason, it gets my last place vote...
Hope that is somewhat helpful. I guess I'd agree with the other posting though in hoping that you are spending at least 2 or 3 of your days in Rome...it is SUCH a fantastic place and one day will not do it justice no matter how much sightseeing you cram in.
All the best!

The Tivoli (Villa d'Este's fabulous water gardens) and Hadrian's Villa's extensive ruins to me is the finest day trip from Rome that's close to Rome - about 25 miles east i think with buses going right to the Villa and Tivoli, a town.
#2 i'd opt for Ostia Antica, ancient Rome's port - also now an archaeological site but much more in tact that Hadrian's Villa. But Hadrian's Villa is in a lovely desolate setting.

Thanks so much everyone for the great feedback. I guess I didn't explain myself well enough regarding our Rome days. We are actually staying in Rome for 1 week. I am doing 2 1/2 days with a guide and the rest on our own. The other week is divided between Venice and Florence.

Kelly, a week sound so much better...Have a fantastic time in my beautiful native city..I am going back the 28th of August..Ciao,

Orvieto..is wonderful.. I wish we had more than a day to explore the area...The ride through Tuscany with the light, the air, the scenery and if you throw in Montpulciano.. your in heaven..

Another vote for Orvieto! Kids will enjoy going down the well. Beautiful town.

Hi Kelly,

Of the places you mention, I've stayed in Orvieto for 3 nights and visited Tivoli and Hadrian's Villa as a Rome day trip.

I really enjoyed both! Love Orvieto, although I believe it's become more touristed since I was there 5 1/2 years ago, but still it's wonderful.

Hadrian's Villa and the Villa d'Este in Tivoli are very interesting, beautiful and enjoyable.

I don't think you really need a guide for either destination unless that guide is really an expert to provide in-depth commentary.

Orvieto is a breeze, 1 hr by train from Termini and it's definitely good for an entire day. Don't settle for just being taken there to see the Duomo and then leave for another destination!

Having private transporation for a group to Tivoli would be a very nice convenience. Getting there is easy by public transportation, but you do need to wait for the local bus up to Tivoli if you go to Hadrian's first.

Buon viaggio!

I still would spend more time in Rome.If you're at all interested in history and/or art,you'll just (barely) be scratching the surface in 2.5 days.