tinarose(and all others too!) I have read quite a bit of mention of Orvieto,
and it sounds lovely. Only 1 hr by train from Rome, as well. However, it is 5+ hrs from Orvieto to Venice, so that only makes that trip longer. BUT,
since this plan has me in Rome for 5 days, what do you posters think of going to Orvieto as a day trip from Rome? Also, apparentely there is a bus that goes from Orvieto to Civite (sp?)
would these towns be enjoyable as a duet in a day trip?

Hi there!
There is no shortage of towns and sights to do as day trips from major centres. My only question is why? You will have plenty to see and do and enjoy while in Rome. I can understand that you want to pack in as much as possible during your trip, but at what cost? The Colesium? The Trevi Fountain? Nero's Palace? The Vatican? St. Peter's? The Palatine? The markets? The Spanish Steps? The more you pack in, the less time you have to enjoy yourself as you will be spending ever so much time on public transport getting to those places that you won't have time to enjoy!
Just my humble opinion...

Here another proposal: Go from Florence to Amalfi (beautiful coast, history, lifestyle, daytrips to Pompei and Capri), then to Rome and then directly to Venice. 4 days for Rome is okay, however, Venice deserves at least 3 days.

Hi d,

>what do you posters think of going to Orvieto as a day trip from Rome? <

I would.

I suggest lunch in the garden at
I Sette Consoli
Pzza Sant’Angelo 1A
phone/fax 011 39 0763 343911

One of the best restaurants in the region. About 40E pp for the fixed price lunch.

((I))

Rome is certainly interesting and there is lots to see and do. I was there in july and the heart and crowds got overwhelming. Sometimes its nice to be out in the countryside where it's quieter and cooler. I liked Orvieto for an overnight. Very convenient to the train and a sweet little town.

Yes, Orvieto makes a good day trip from Rome. As does Ostia Antica.

ostia antica is great as well as orvieto, a closer alternative and with the same feel would be bracciano. This town is cute, small and has a castle.

Hi alex,

Thanks for the mention of Bracciano.

For those interested.
http://www.romeartlover.it/Bracciano.html

http://www.comunedibracciano.it/

((I))

is bracciano the town with a castle?
that would be a great day trip (hubby
and I both like castles) can you tour
the castle?

Yes, the castle can be toured. We looked into this as a daytrip from Rome but ended up going to Ostia instead. While I don't regret my decision, I regret that we didn't make the time to go there as well. It looks like a neat place (my husband stumbled on it by accident while researching for our trip) and we really wanted to go. There isn't much information on it, so if you go please post your thoughts!

Tracy

daisy58 - Your itinerary looks quite similar to the trip we took this past June: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34645606
I think you'll have a great time.

Between Rome and Venice you've got a wonderful opportunity to see Ravenna - which is easily worth a day. Then, since you're hitting the major, major cities, take a couple of days to see some of the great "second" cities: Mantua, Ferrara, Verona, and Padua are each worth at least one day. Any and all of these are compact, accessible, have their own unique character - and the Byzantine mosaics in Ravenna will knock your socks off.
Bologna is worth a day, but it's charms are more subtle and not as immediate as the cities I listed above.