Hello!

I'm traveling to Italy from the US over the Thanksgiving holiday, flying into Rome for 3 nights then driving to Naples and south.

On the drive in between Rome and Naples, I'd like to enjoy one day exploring the countyside by car, stopping along the way and spending the night in a charming spot before going to Naples the next morning.

I would appreciate any advice, suggested itineraries or recommendations!

Sperlonga !
Great beach and cute village. You can also stop in Anzio if you want on the same road. Frankly, I would train to Naples--easy trip and you do NOT want a car in Naples.

Yes, I was just wondering what you were going to do with the car in Naples. And where are you going to the south?

Seaside towns like Sperlonga and Anzio may not be at their best in late November, and if you've already gone into Roma, it doesn't really make sense to drive back out to the seaside.

If your adventurous, you might pick a town in the province of Frosisone, midway between Roma and Napoli. Here are some descriptions:

http://www.italyworldclub.com/lazio/frosinone/

Frosinone is supposed to have some of the best food in Lazio..


http://www.valledellaquila.it/en/index.html

Sorry for my typo! It is Frosinone.

There is a town of Frosinone which I've never visited by I understand it is filled with modern buildings. But many of the smaller towns in the province of Frosinone are well-preserved -- and I'll bet you can indeed find great food there!

I'm actually having some fun going through to the list of towns in Frosinone and looking up pictures on Google. They look like great fun to visit.


For instance, here is Acuto, described as overlooking a panoramic valley:

http://tinyurl.com/5ncdk4

Here is Acquafondata, where people make bagpipes, of all things!

http://flickr.com/photos/21096870@N02/2449793310

And here is Alatri, which has a Roman acropolis, a citadel, a noteworthy cathedral and by legend is the home of the Cyclops!


http://tinyurl.com/6ege5m

Hey -- and those are just the beginning of the A's.

Now I want to go to Frosinone province on my way to Napoli!

Oh my goodness. This is the area my husband's family is from. I remember thinking, as we drove through, that the town of Isola del Liri looked interesting: the river, the waterfall. Check it out on Google Images.

There is a rather small town named PIEDEMONTE DI MATERA on the way from Rome to Naples. I know this town because my brother in law, who works for the Naples water authority, has taken me there numerous times. It's the source of the water supply of Naples. It has a large lake right on top of the mountain there. As such, the town has more green than any other town I've seen in Italy. It has lovely parks and full of trees, all due to the abundant water supply. It is one of the best areas in Italy, in my opinion, for great restaurants. The food there is inexpensive and as good as any gourmet restaurants anywhere.

Looking at the map in my old Michelin Green guide I see 1 star entries for Alatri described in zeppole's post and nearby Ferentino which "stands in a magnificant position overlooking the Sacco Valley, has kept its mediaeval air" and "still has part of its Cyclopean walls and its acropolis, from which an extensive view can be enjoyed."

Hmmm - I'm not sure Frosinone would be in my top 500 places to visit in Italy ... good food or not!

Steve

Caserta is interesting.

Oh my! Thanks to you all for the fabulous suggestions. We plan to drop the car off as soon as we get to Naples so we won't deal with one there.

I'm going to spend some time with the great links that you all provided. Thanks again!

But do you realise it's only about a 2 hour drive ? Why not drop the car off when you reach Rome (you don't want a car there either), get the train to Naples & have an extra night in Rome or Naples.

Actually, having reread your original post, do you mean you are Rome is yoir first destination ? If that's the case, why do you think you need a car at all ?