Rome
Top 5 (+1) Amazing Day Trips from Rome

Top 5 (+1) Amazing Day Trips from Rome

October 16, 2014 Enrico Catani

With its over 2,500 years of history, Rome holds an historic and artistic heritage of inestimable value, unique in the world. There are so many things to see and do in this city, that it's almost impossible to list them all!
 
But if you’ve already seen most of them, or if you want to make your Roman holiday a little 'more adventurous, why not include some exciting day trips into your itinerary? The regions that surround the city of Rome are rich in picturesque towns, archaeological sites, natural treasures and centuries-old culinary traditions.
 
Departing from Rome, through a day trip, you can eXPerience spectacular sceneries and interesting Italian destinations that otherwise you may not get the opportunity to visit. So here is a list, brought you by ItalyXP, of the 5 (+1) amazing day trips from Rome that will make you want to book more vacation time!

Top 5 (+1) Amazing Day Trips from Rome

Castelli Romani

Although its name, the Castelli Romani is not actually a complex of castles: it is an area composed by 13 towns nestled atop the green rolling hills (the so-called “Colli Albani”). About half an hour from Rome, the Castelli Romani has been a vacation destination since the Imperial Times, and it still is the ideal choice to take a break from the rigorous and nerve-racking city life.
 
Among the greatest destinations in the Castelli Romani is certainly the town of Frascati, dominated by the 16th-century Villa Aldobrandini, whose beautiful façade dominates the surrounding Italianesque gardens; or Grottaferrata, a lovely village with a medieval heritage; and Castel Gandolfo, which overlooks the Lago di Albano, a lake of volcanic origin. But the Castelli Romani is also renowned for preserving some of the greatest ruins from ancient Rome, such as the ruins of Tusculum, immersed in the green.
 
Beyond villas, ancient ruins and breathtaking landscapes, the Castelli Romani are known for their culinary traditions and wine productions, which you can eXPerience through a gastronomic guided tour.
 
The area of the Castelli Romani is truly fascinating and, as there is a lot to see, we highly suggest exploring it with a picturesque tour by Vespa or, for the sporty one, with a tour by Electric bike: the best ways to enjoy a day trip between history, nature and ancient traditions.

Castelli Romani

Assisi

About two-hours from Rome, the town of Assisi is nestled atop a hill, in the region of Umbria. Wondering in its beautiful historic centre you will discover its Roman origin (in fact, its original Latin name was “Asisium”), testified by the many monuments such as the Temple of Minerva, the Amphitheatre, the Walls and the Forum.
 
But Assisi also boasts an incredible medieval heritage of incommensurable value, such as the Basilica of Saint Francis, considered the town’s main attraction: you can admire the splendid architecture and the stunning frescoes in the interior ceiling of this imposing cathedral, which is the burial place of the world-famous Saint Francis (1182 – 1226), the most illustrious of all Assisi’s citizens.
 
Around the Basilica of Saint Francis are lots of medieval houses and shops, spread over the narrow alleys of the town. Other not-to-miss sites during you Day Trip to Assisi include Piazza del Comune, the town centre, with its old clock tower, the Church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva with its Roman columns, and the Saint Claire’s Basilica, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes.

Assisi

Orvieto

While in the Umbria region, why not visit another lovely place? Situated majestically on a big chunk of volcanic rock called tuff, Orvieto is one of the oldest cities in Italy, whose origins date back to the Etruscan civilization.
 
The most important attraction of the old town is undoubtedly the magnificent 14th-century Orvieto Cathedral, built in 1290 in Romanesque-Gothic style, rich in works of art in its interior. Impossible not to be enchanted by the incredible façade, embellished with bas-reliefs and mosaics, which are believed to have influenced Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel (in the Vatican City).
 
At the rear of the Cathedral are the Papal palaces, austere 13th-century buildings that are definitely worth a visit. You can also immerse yourself in the timeless atmosphere of the city’s labyrinth of underground tunnels, carved 3000 years ago from volcanic rock by the Etruscans to provide escape routes for the nobility: this elaborate maze of tunnels contain grandiose rooms, stairs, caves and quarries.
 
This town is full of historic and artistic treasures, and you can easily discover all of them with a convenient day-trip to Orvieto, departing from Rome!

Orvieto

Amalfi Coast

Located in the lower part of the Campania region, in Southern Italy, the Amalfi Coast is made up of thirteen beautiful towns: for example, Vietri sul Mare, famous for its fine renowned ceramics; Cetara, a small fishermen village that still retains its ancient charm; Amalfi, rich in history and culture with its narrow alleys and its magnificent Cathedral.
 
The Amalfi Coast is one of the favorite destinations for tourists from all over the world, as it offers great itineraries, such as a trip to the “path of the Gods” or to the “Furore fjord”. A must-see is also the "terraced gardens" where are grown the famous Amalfi lemons, so sweet that you can eat them ​​like a dessert!
 
Considered among the most suggestive and fascinating places in Italy, the Amalfi coast is a lovely sequence of panoramic curves that will take you on a wonderful journey to discover villages nestled on the rock, charming coves and bays. A Day Trip to the Amalfi Coast is the ideal choice to enrich you Roman holiday, as you’ll enjoy an amazing excursion between nature, traditions, great food and breathtaking views!

Amalfi Coast

Pompeii

Visited by thousands of tourists every year, the ruins of Pompeii are one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the world: it was an ancient Roman town, completely buried by the eruption of the Mount Vesuvius in on the 24th August 79AD.
 
Since the 18th century, the area has been progressively excavated, revealing this historical treasure. The Pompeii owes its exceptional state of preservation to the tons of ashes that have covered it under a layer of more than 10 meters, protecting this ancient city over the centuries. The ashes also have fossilized the inhabitants of the time, allowing us to see the plastered body casts of actual people who died in the catastrophic volcanic eruption.
 
Walking through this huge archaeological park you’ll have the opportunity to visit what remains of the 2000 years old buildings of the ancient city, including old shops, restaurants, residential homes, baths and brothels, as well as the “Amphitheatre” and the “Great Gymnasium”, where the gladiators used to train. Furthermore, you can visit the National Archeological Museum of Pompeii, which contains a fascinating collection of artifacts and art works that were excavated from the Pompeii site.
 
The archaeological site of Pompeii is one of the most significant proofs of Roman civilization and provides outstanding information on the art, customs, trades and everyday life of the past. No trip to Rome would be complete without a day trip to the ancient ruins of Pompeii!

Pompeii

(+1) Florence

Being one of the art and cultural centers of the world, this beautiful city has always been an extremely popular tourist destination. Located in central Italy, Florence is easily reachable from Rome by high-speed train in less than 1 hour and half (for the train schedule you can check the website of Trenitalia or Italo-train).
 
Known as the “Cradle of Renaissance”, Florence is mostly famous for its compact historic centre, characterized by imposing basilicas, picturesque squares, narrow alleys filled with handicraft shops, and hundreds of beautifully preserved monuments and palaces. Further, in Florence there are some museums among the most important in the world, such as the universally-famous Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia Gallery, where is housed the David by Michelangelo, an absolute masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture.
 
But apart for its exceptional artistic patrimony, Florence is also renowned for its award winning wines and mouth-watering Florentine cuisine, characterized by their simplicity and freshness.
 
Although there is a lot to see and do in Florence, you can get a good overview in one intense Day Trip from Rome, which includes all the main open-air attractions and a visit to the two main museums (the Uffizi and the Accademia Gallery).

(+1) Florence

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