Marcy

We have only one free day to take a day trip outside of Rome. If you can only do one, which is best: Ostia Antica, Catacombs or Hadrian's Villa? Thanks all.

mary jane

I'd go to see what the &quot;un-touristy&quot; Italy was like...a 30 min bus or train ride to the Viterbo area, the Renaissance Villa Lante, a 4 course lunch in Vetralla . Ostia Antica is better than Pompeii , the catacombs are important but even Bolsena has them, Hadrians' villa is good-but the Villa Lante is better from a garden point of view. Check www.elegantetruria.com for more info from a writer of guide books (fodors Upclose Italy) who has lived here since 1965.<BR> Mary jane

jack

Id suggest a tour that includes the catacombs.We took it and it was interesting and not terribly expensive.Any hotel has info on tours.We enjoyed seeing the catacombs.

Joe

Marcy: While we didn't find Ostia Antica &quot;better than Pompeii&quot;, it was, certainly, an amazing experience. It is an easy trip from Rome and if you have the time and inclination to really explore it in detail, you will find it a very rewarding look at ancient Rome.<BR>Hadrian's Villa was a very worthwhile trip, but a distant second compared to Ostia Antica.<BR>Catacombs are interesting; OK, but an even greater distant third in ranking.<BR>Have a great trip.