Rome and day trip in one week.
 

My fiance and I have decided to travel to Rome for our honeymoon. We arrive on August 13 and depart on August 19. Any suggestions for an intinerary and recommendations for a day trip outside of Rome? We will be staying at the Intercontinental Hotel near the Spanish Steps. Thanks.

I would start with a couple of the basic guide books to pick out the major things you want to see. Then ask for recos on others. As for the day trip - there are a bunch yuo can take based on interests. You need to tell us ore to help.

Are you more intersted in

Ancient ruins
Quaint hill towns
Great art - and if so from what period

If you like quaint hill towns then I vote for Orvieto for a day trip. Very quaint little town and just a quick train ride from Rome.

I hope you Re prepared for VERY hot weather in mid-August!

I agree that Orvieto is a lovely change of pace. It not only has a beautiful cathedral, but lots of caves and tunnels under the town. You can take a tour of them.

First,I hope you have a better stay at the Intercontinental than we did.The hotel is looking shabby and the staff quite full of themselves! Insist on a room that does not overlook the inner courtyard-the bar below opens its doors and the music/noise goes on well into the morning hours!Make sure the A/C works-we had to change rooms twice!
We took the small archeobus out to the catacombs and loved it! It takes you out of the city,lovely countryside.It stops at the end at the aqueduct,great spot for a picnic.You can get on/off.One catacomb was enough for us!
Here's the link:
http://www.mmdtkw.org/VArcheobus.html

One good daytrip is, as stated earlier, Oriveto (so different from Rome). Another easy daytrip is Ostia Antica.

We had a week in Rome and took a day trip to Ostia Antica. Perhaps my trip report (and blog) will give you some ideas (even though it was a family trip rather than a honeymoon!).

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...log-photos.cfm

A day trip to Florence is easy, it's about 90 minutes each way on the train. Although Florence will be hellishly hot, maybe a hill town might be more comfortable.

MoonerB, Florence would be a great day trip, but not in August with the crowds and heat.

I second the hill town suggestion which gives you a delightful contrast to Rome.

Best wishes on your wedding.

Chapla, sorry to hear that the Intercontinental has fallen short. It was quite lovely when I was there some 15 years ago. Great location though.

It is an easy train ride to visit Orvieto, a pleasant hill town north of Rome in Umbria. Although Florence is my favorite destination in Italy, a day trip in mid-August would be very hot and crowded.

Another day trip suggestion is Tivoli - to visit Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'Este with it's gorgeous Renaissance gardens and thousands of fountains. Fountains sound good on an August afternoon.

Check into when the annual Italian holidays actually start - Feragusto (SP?). It's mid-to-end of August - 2 weeks. Trains will be full with Romans heading out of the city!