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The 10 best day trips from Rome

ThereÂ’s so much to see in Rome that you could easily spend a week or two just wandering the streets and visiting countless churches, museums and ruins. But if you feel like getting out of the city – and if youÂ’re there in the height of the summer, you will – you donÂ’t need to go too far for a change of scene. Why not explore the towns of Lazio, Umbria and Campania on a day trip from Rome? 1. Ostia Antica Every tourist in Rome should have Ostia Antica on their to-do list, but the ruins of this Roman port town are overlooked by most visitors. This means that if you do decide to take a day trip (or a half-day trip) to Ostia Antica, youÂ’ll probably have the town practically to yourself, especially if you go in winter. Apart from Pompeii, itÂ’s the most spectacular Roman town in Italy, with an amphitheatre, temples, and countless villas to explore. The site is huge, so to make the most of the experience, go on a private walking tour. A guide will help you to locate some interesting sites which are harder to find, such as the mithrae (pagan temples) and synagogue, which is the oldest in Europe. Getting there: ItÂ’s half an hour on the train from Porta San Paolo (the station next to Piramide). day trip ostia antica 2. Tivoli The scenic hilltop town of Tivoli boasts waterfalls, stunning views, and the famous fountains in the gardens of Villa dÂ’Este. For anyone interested in Roman history, Tivoli is unmissable, as it was once home to the emperor Hadrian. You could spend a whole day just exploring the vast ruins of HadrianÂ’s villa, so although Tivoli can be done as a day trip, itÂ’s also a good place to stay the night. Getting there: ItÂ’s about 40 minutes on the train from Tiburtina, while the bus from Ponte Mammolo takes a bit longer. day trip tivoli 3. Sperlonga Rome is close to the sea, and there are lots of beaches easily accessible from the city. Ostia is the closest, and Santa Marinella is also a short train journey away. The most beautiful, however, is Sperlonga. This pretty medieval town is perched on top of a cliff, and there are two sandy beaches. ItÂ’s the perfect place to escape the heat of Rome, but if youÂ’re there out of season, when itÂ’s too cold to swim, check out the Villa of Tiberius and its famous grotto. Getting there: Taking the car is the easiest way to get there. ThereÂ’s also a train from Termini, which takes just over an hour, but youÂ’ll have to get a bus or a taxi from the train station to the beach. day trip sperlonga 4. Orvieto This beautiful town in the neighbouring region of Umbria, located on a hill of volcanic rock, is famous for the dazzling facade of its cathedral. Once youÂ’ve explored the atmospheric alleyways and the underground labyrinth of tunnels beneath the town, enjoy some umbrichelli al tartufo (a typical local pasta with truffle)  and a glass of local white wine. Getting there: ItÂ’s just over an hour on the train from Termini. day trip orvieto 5. Civita di Bagnoregio The medieval village of Bagnoregio sits on top of a hill, and can only be entered by footbridge. ItÂ’s a sleepy little place with only 100 residents, and thereÂ’s not much going on, but thatÂ’s not the point of Bagnoregio. Forget about sightseeing – just find a place to sit in the piazza and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere. Getting there: Bagnoregio is about 100 km from Rome and there are no direct transport links, so drive if you can. Alternatively, take a train from Termini to Orvieto (1 hour), and then a Cotral bus (1 hour) to Bagnoregio. day trip bagnoregio 6. Viterbo Viterbo is the perfect size for a day trip, as although thereÂ’s plenty to see and do, the town is fairly small. After visiting the Papal Palace and the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, check out the archaeological collection of the Museo Civico, which includes Etruscan and Roman findings, as well as a small art gallery. Once you’ve done a bit of sightseeing, relax in the nearby thermal baths, which are renowned for their healing powers. The most famous are the luxurious Terme dei Papi, which also include a spa. Getting there: Take a train from Trastevere or Ostiense (1 hour 45 minutes). day trip viterbo 7. Todi This picturesque hilltop town in Umbria has some beautiful medieval churches, but you can also find older influences in the walls, which date back to Roman and even Etruscan times. Wander through the backstreets, enjoy the views of the Umbrian countryside, and if youÂ’re feeling adventurous, try palomba alla ghiotta (slowly cooked pigeon), which is a local specialty. Getting there: Take a train from Termini, changing at Terni (1 hour 40 minutes), or a bus from Tiburtina. day trip todi 8. Castelli Romani The Castelli Romani are the towns in the hills to the south east of Rome. You could easily see a few in a day, as theyÂ’re close together. Visit Frascati for wine and beautiful villas, Nemi for wild strawberries and a lake in a volcanic crater, and Ariccia for porchetta and Baroque architecture. The Pope has his summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, which overlooks Lake Albano. Enjoying the breeze by the lake, youÂ’ll understand why popes chose to escape the heat of the city in the Castelli Romani. Getting there: Frascati is half an hour on the train from Termini, but itÂ’s best to explore this area by car, so you can hop from one town to the next. day trip castelli romani 9. Bracciano ThereÂ’s not much in terms of sightseeing in Bracciano, but the majority of visitors come to enjoy the large volcanic lake. The waterÂ’s clean, and itÂ’s a popular spot for sailing and swimming. The fifteenth century Castello Orsini-Odescalchi overlooks the lake, and has hosted the weddings of the rich and famous, including Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. Getting there: ItÂ’s an hour on the train from Ostiense. day trip bracciano 10. Pompeii It may not be an obvious choice for a day trip, but it can be done quite comfortably. A private tour of Pompeii enables you to see the main sights and learn about the history of this fascinating ancient city. As you stroll through the streets and explore the amphitheatre, temples, bars and brothels of Pompeii, youÂ’ll be able to imagine what the city must have been like in ancient times. Although the buildings are now ruins, when you see the ancient frescoes and graffiti, and hear the moving story of the eruption and its aftermath, youÂ’ll feel as though youÂ’ve stepped back in time. Getting there: Take a high speed train from Rome to Naples (1 hour 10 minutes), and then a regional train to Pompeii (45 minutes). You could also drive, or hire a driver as part of a private tour, for a more luxurious experience. day trip pompeii Rosario Gorgone is Co-Founder of Through Eternity Tours. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

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6 Comments

  1. Gosh, these pictures are so, so, so awesome! I went to Ostia Antica from the Fiumicino airport for a day trip and was SO glad I did.

    Hope to check out more of these recommendations soon!

  2. Rome is definitely a must visit place. Lots of things that can keep you busy the whole day. Pompeii is very interesting place to visit.

  3. Rome the eternal city, what a timeless beauty!
    2016 is also the year of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy of Pope Francis which will attract not only catholic pilgrims but travellers of all faiths from all all over the world.

    I will be going in June to visit the Vatican Museums and I will definitely go to The Castelli Romani for a day trip excursion on the hills.

  4. I am always looking for some out of town excursions that are ether by car or as a bus tour. I enjoy all that there is to see in Rome but sometimes I like to get out of the city and away from the crowds as we know Rome during many times of the year can be packed. I am jotting down these places and keeping them in mind on my next trip to Rome.

  5. Orvietto is one of my favourite places out of Rome. A perfect halfway spot from Florence on your way to Rome or vice versa. Personally I love having a nice espresso and a wild Boar sandwich for lunch while im there.
    The secret double helix tunnel system and secret underground rooms are definitely worth a visit if you have the time on your stop.

  6. Great article! Can’t wait to go back to Rome and take one of these day trips. During our last visit to Rome we took a day trip to Florence. It’s doable, but we only scratched the surface of that wonderful city.

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