Donelle

I'm surprising my husband with a Roman holiday, wanting to be in Vatican City for Mass with him for our 1st wedding anniversary. Our package includes a Hotel Daniela in Rome for 7 days in February and I know we'd enjoy a couple of side-trips (definitely to Assisi! suggestions?)I don't know what would be another goodie while we're there. (I have little clues to where the hotel is located!) Is it possible to get to San Giovanni Rotundo (Padre Pio's) or Loreto or Padua or Florence for a day trip (independent or escorted) from Rome? Thanks for any input!<BR>

GAC

Congratulations for thinking of such a wonderful anniversary gift for your husband! I really applaude your initiative! I also gather from your inquiry that you would be particularly interested in side-trips of a Religious (Roman Catholic) nature. Assisi would be your best bet. The direct train takes about 2 hours, 30 minutes, and I would strongly suggest staying overnight. San Giovanni Rotondo is far away and the landscape there is not nearly as pretty as that around Assisi (some might uncharitably describe it as ugly). Loreto (near Ancona, on the Adriatic coast) can be reached by train in about four hours. Once again, it can't compare to Assisi. Padova is also far away (at least 4.5 hours). Florence is close (95 minutes by hourly Eurostar train). Personally, my first choice would be Assisi, followed by Florence. I would do this as an independent trip (you don't need a tour). The other possibilities depend somewhat on whether you are a devotee of the Madonna (Loreto), Sant'Antonio (Padova) or Padre Pio (S. Giovanni Rotondo).

Dottie

My vote is for Florence! It's my husband's favorite place in the world. Stay somewhere close to the Duomo for a night and you can walk everywhere.

Laurie

Lucky guy, smart woman!Rent a car for a day and drive to Siena. With all the beauty of Rome, you need a glimpse of the countryside and a little less bustle.

Otto

Thought I agree that San Giovanni Rotondo is too far away for a day trip, I disagree with GAC about the landscape. The city itself is indeed very ugly and not worth the trip unless you're devoted to Padre Pio, but as far as the natural surrounding it is located in the Gargano peninsula which is one of the wildest and most beautifull area of Italy. The southern coast between the villages of Vieste and Manfredonia rivals in natural beauty with the Amalfi coast. The all area has become a natural protected park a few years ago. Although I do prefer the villages on the Amalfi coast, I find some of the inland and coastal villages in the Gargano to have a lot of character and charm, especially Monte Sant'Angelo, Vieste and Peschici.

GAC

Otto thank you for correcting me. The city itself is unattractive, but the surroundings (particularly around the Gargano area) are not.

richard j vicek

Good evening. Donelle<BR>Additional side trips out of Rome.<BR>1.Tivoli and Villa D'Este about 20 min<BR>by rail out of Rome.<BR>2. Orvieto which is zbout an hour north<BR>by rail.<BR>3. Pompeii, approx 3 hours south of Rome<BR>with one change of trains at Naples.<BR>4. Assisi is an excellant choice takes<BR>just over two hours with a change of <BR>train. Upon arrival at Assisi train<BR>station SMA will have to take a taxi or<BR>bus into Assisi, just a few km east...<BR>5. One escorted tour in Rome run by<BR>Carrani or Appian run one which goes<BR>to the four major churches of Rome.<BR>Check with yourconcierge who can make<BR>arrangements on this one.<BR>Richard of Lagrange Park,Il...<BR><BR>

Donelle

You guys are great! Thanks for the info and can't wait to spring this on him! Should be a blast! Not trying to see everything this first trip as I'm a pretty optimistic person and know we'll be back someday for the rest. After all, Italy's been around for quite some time now, right?

GAC

There are also a few direct trains from Rome to Assisi which to not require a change in Foligno.

Vic

Another idea is a day trip to Naples and Pompeii.<BR><BR>We took an early Eurostar train from Rome to Naples. At a kiosk in the Naples train station we hired a guide who took us around Naples including the spectacular views up in the hills. We had a nice lunch in Naples and took a local train to Pompeii. We toured the ruins and got back to Rome around 10 p.m.<BR><BR>There are tours out of Rome that take you all over the Amalfi Coast. After our trip, I can't imagine how they can see much considering all the places they go.

Tania

I also recommend the day trip to Tivoli to see the Villa d'Este with its fabulous fountains. The Villa Adrianna is not complete is a nice visit too.<BR><BR>We also did the trip to Pompeii for the day. Lived up to my expectations and more.<BR><BR>We stayed a week in Rome last month and couldn't bear to tear ourselves away for more than these two side trips. We are doing Florence this year: I felt we'd be too frustrated not being able to see it at a leisurely pace.<BR><BR>Enjoy!!!