Side trips from Rome in Oct.
 

I will be in Rome in late Oct. and would appreciate suggestions for side-trips. I've read about Ostia Antica as an alternative to Pompeii, but others have said it's nothing like it. I've heard pro and con re going to Pompeii for a day trip - same for Florence. Help! Thx!

If you haven't been to Florence and don't plan to spend time there anytime soon, a daytrip might be a worthwhile sampling. You could visit a museum or two, shop, visit churches, etc.
Florence is very crowded in summer I understand, I've been there in fall and crowds are moderate. For the two most popular museums,the Uffizi and the Accademia, reserved timed entry tickets can be arranged.

Laurie, IMO, all of them are worthwhile day trips. Ostia Antica is very enjoyable, Pompeii was fine, although I felt like it took much of the day just to do the commute, Florence is great, and is a 90-minute train trip away via Eurostar. Orvieto and Tivoli are other possibilites. You can visit Villa d'Este and Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli. Orvieto has only a couple of sights, but is nice for a little more placid change of pace from Rome.

Buon Viaggio,
BC

I've been to both Pompeii and Ostia Antica and would highly recommend either. Pompeii was fabulous and can be done as a daytrip, although it makes for a long day. However, I've done it and wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Ostia is almost as interesting, much closer, and a lot less crowded. We had a great time exploring it.

Another daytrip option would be Orvieto, an hours train ride from Rome.

You'll have a great time at any of them. Good luck!

Tracy

ttt

Laurie - Pick any from:

Florence
Assisi
Orvieto
Naples - Pompei/Herculaneum
Capri
Tivoli - Hadrian's Villa + Villa d' Este (fountains garden)
Ostia Antica
Castel Gandolfo/ Lake Albano/ Colli Albani
Spoleto
Cortona
Lake Bracciano
Lake Bolsena
Sperlonga

... to name a few!

Steve

Thanks to all of you! I will be going back next year to do Florence/Venice/Lucca -but I might sneak a trip over this time (90 minutes is nothing)! :) Still deciding whether a day's outing to Pompeii is a better choice than Ostia Antica.... obviously it's the more famous of the two! :)

Have a good weekend, everyone.