First trip to Italy, and two of us will be in Rome for eight days. Of the following daytrips, any experiences or recommendations: Pompeii, Florence, Assissi?<BR>Thoughts on mode of travel for these?<BR>Much thanks, AA

Florence is an easy day trip 1h35m on the Eurostar (train) 60Euros return. I was somewhat disappointed in Florence after Rome though, but other people won't agree!

Go to www.twenj.com click-on &quot;Rome&quot; &amp; &quot;Excursions&quot;. One minor mistake in the Pompeii directions. The walking directions inside the Naples Train Station to the Circumvesuviana Train are actually for the Centrale Station and not the Garibaldi Station. Same train station just on different levels, from either one just follow the signs to the Circumvesuviana, very easy &amp; the same distance. Regards, Walter<BR>p.s. For the Regulars here, the &quot;twenj&quot; website now excepts both &quot;.com&quot; &amp; &quot;.net&quot;.

Assisi is an easy trip by train. Some trains are direct, others require a change at FOLIGNO.<BR><BR>There are departures from Roma Termini atBR>07.37(ES) ... Change at Foligno ... arrives Assisi 09.24<BR>08.14(IR) .... Direct ... arrives Assisi 10.32<BR>09.37(ES) ... Change at Foligno ... arrives Assisi 11.27<BR><BR>ES = Eurostar<BR>IR = Inter-regional<BR><BR>From Assisi station the town of Assisi is about a 20-minute bus ride (- there is a connecting bus outside the station).<BR><BR>N.B. When you get off the train go straight out to the bus, - if you miss it you'll have a long wait!<BR>The driver will send you into the station bar to buy your bus tickets, - but it's best to speak to him first so he knows to wait.<BR><BR>Most of the coach companies also offer Assisi as a day-trip. You can find details on their websites.<BR><BR>Hope this helps ...<BR><BR>Steve<BR>

We have done the day trips from Rome to Florence and Pompeii. Both are easy trips from the central station. Both under two hours. My view is the Eurostar trains are worth the very little difference in cost. Last time from Rome to Naples, the Italian Direct train booted us off on a siding about half way. We had to take what was equivalent to a WWII troop train from there into Naples. Not complaining, it was quite an experience.<BR><BR>I liked Florence, but if you spend all your time in the Ufizzi you will miss a lot. See the &quot;David.&quot; Go to Santa Croce. Spend a little time on the Ponte Vecchio. Leather goods are extremely inexpensive there. If you do go to the Ufizzi, be sure and get tickets ahead of time; the lines are long.<BR><BR>We are going again January 1st. Plan to go to Pompeii again for a shorter period.....same local train will take you to Sorrento. This time we will go back to Florence and see the things we missed and add a trip to Orvieto.

Here are more intreresting day trips:<BR>1. Cerveteri<BR>2. Tarquinia<BR>3. Viterbo/Villa Lante<BR>4. Lake Bracciano<BR>5. Ostia Antica<BR>6. Tivoli/Villa d'Este<BR>7. Villa Adriana<BR>8. Palestrina<BR>9. Subiaco<BR>10. Castelli Romani<BR>11. Cassino<BR>12. Caserta<BR>13. Napoli<BR>14. Capri<BR>15. Sorrento<BR>16. Orvieto<BR>17. Spoleto

To echo the above post, both Ostia Antica and Tivoli/Villa d'Este were fabulous day trips from Rome that are close by and truly a &quot;day&quot; trip. Journeying to Florence, Naples, etc is going a bit too far away as a veritable &quot;day trip&quot;, and with travel distances via train coming and going, there is really not too much time left to explore those larger cities. You would want/need more time to see those cities and their sites and 1 day just wouldn't do it.

You can take the trains into Florence. don't miss it. You won't regret it. Just by Uffizi and Accademia tix in advance. Also, Tuscany and Umbrian countryside are fabulous. I suggest overnight only. Don't do day trips by train unless you have a car. The down side is, once you see the Umbrian and Tuscan countryside, eat the food, drink the wine and meet the people, you will not want to leave. Trust me on this. Buy the Karen Brown guide - Italy, Inns and Itineraries. You won't regret it. If you are into it, buy the BandB's book, too. We just got back 2 days ago from our honeymoon there. Don't skip Cortona. Stay at Hotel San Michele and eat at hostaria La Bucuccia. Ask for Romano and Aya. It is a dream come true. You will love Assisi. Fabulous. Can I go?