Italy Heaven

Day trips from Rome

Because Rome is so rich in must-see tourist sights, many visitors neglect the surrounding area. One or two major guidebooks don't even give Lazio a chapter to itself, concentrating solely on Rome. It can't be denied that Rome does have masses to offer the tourist. But for visitors who are staying more than three days, visitors who are returning to the Eternal City for the second time (or third, or fourth) or for those who have simply had enough of the city, there are wonderful places easily reachable by car or public transport for a day trip or a weekend away.

Sperlonga Sea, sand, charm and archaeology.
Palestrina A pretty hilltown covering the ruins of a gigantic temple.
Cerveteri An Etruscan city for the dead; house-like tombs set in the peaceful countryside.
Frascati Attractive hilltown famed for food and wine.
Tivoli The Renaissance Villa d'Este and the Roman Villa Adriana.
Bagnaia Famous and beautiful Italian gardens at the Villa Lante.
Terracina A resort with a long sandy beach, a historic old town and a ruined Roman temple high above the sea.

Day trips from Rome make a refreshing break from the chaos, noise and pollution of the city. They are also refreshingly cheap, since trains in Italy are an economical means of transport, and the blue Cotral buses which serve the area are frequent and cheap.

Rome is surprisingly close to the sea and to the hills, and you don't have to travel far to appreciate completely diverse scenery. In the summer you can do what the Romans have been doing for millennia, and take a break in the nearby hills, where the air is noticeably cooler and fresher, and you may even find a breeze. Alternatively you can enjoy a day at the seaside, visiting one of the busy beaches near Rome, or finding more tranquil stretches of sand to the south.

Back in the 18th Century, English aristocrats on their Grand Tour spent considerable time in the smaller towns and countryside of Lazio. Many of the views and antiquities they admired have changed surprisingly little, and it's an atmospheric experience to follow in their footsteps around the cascades, temples and great houses of Tivoli, Frascati and the rest of Lazio.

Lazio is full of sites of enormous archaeological interest, including very fine Etruscan remains in the north of the region as well as later Roman ruins. Striking temples of varying scale can be seen at Terracina, Palestrina and Tivoli, where you may find yourself the only tourist marvelling at ancient columns and picturesque views. The absence of crowds is an appealing feature of Lazio's hilltowns; although many tourists visit Frascati (chiefly for the wine), and Tivoli (for the fountains of the Villa d'Este), you will find little tourism in other destinations - and even those towns are often surprisingly neglected.

If you're feeling more ambitious, you can easily journey further afield. Swift train services run into Tuscany, Umbria and Campania, and your options include Florence, Naples, Orvieto, Spoleto, Siena....

If you are fortunate enough to have a car, you'll be able to see much more of Lazio at your own pace. However, this site concentrates on places accessible by public transport. You may miss out on some of the more remote sights, but all the destinations featured here contain enough to occupy you for an enjoyable day out.

Recommended Guidebook

Cadogan Guide to Rome and the Heart of Italy
This is a highly-recommended guidebook for tourists (or residents) interested in Rome excursions. 'Rome and the Heart of Italy' provides detailed and comprehensive coverage of an area that is neglected by almost all other guides. Relatively well-known Lazio destinations, such as charming medieval Viterbo, get several pages of information, while the smaller towns and villages aren't overlooked. And like other Cadogan guides, this is well-written in a light and entertaining style.

Buy now from Amazon.co.uk