Next year, Italy will introduce a flurry of new train routes, especially for tourists.
21.07.2023 - 07:28 / roughguides.com / emperor Hadrian
Do day trips from Rome because they're easy, let you escape the summer heat and give you a bit of an antiquity break. They're also the chance to breathe country air or even visit the beach. Take a look at our pick of the best day trips from Rome here.
Tivoli sits on the Aniene River close to Rome and it's a favourite weekend escape for Romans. Follow their lead and spend a day touring the stunning Tivoli Villas which are famous for good reason.
Leave plenty of time to explore the spectacular Villa d'Este for its Mannerist frescoes and glorious gardens. And Villa Gregoriana is best known for its dramatic grounds which include Roman temples, waterfalls, forests and impressive natural caves.
Savour la dolce vita on this fantastic tailor-made Italian dream trip. Discover ancient history and take a cookery class in Rome, before marvelling at the Baroque architecture and iconic Mount Etna on the island of Sicily.
Villa d'Este is one of the favourite day trips from Rome by train © Marco Rubino/Shutterstock
Villa Adriana dates back to 135 AD and sits just outside Tivoli. It was the largest villa in the Roman Empire and was originally constructed as a retirement home for Emperor Hadrian.
The villa's details were reportedly inspired by Hadrian's world travels, so don't be surprised to see influences from Athens or references to Alexandria as you wander around. You may want more than a day to explore, so think about staying at Casale Colleoni in Tivoli.
Roman Ruins inside the Great Baths at Villa Adriana (Hadrian's Villa), Tivoli, Italy © Shutterstock
Lido di Ostia is Rome's seaside resort and is justifiably popular for its nightlife. But it has another claim to fame, Ostia Antica, the extraordinary Port of Ostia excavations which are often compared to Pompeii in terms of the quality of their preservation.
This exceptional historic site was discovered encased in Tiber mud and is now considered to be one of the world's finest examples of an ancient Roman town. So it's complex and fascinating and best explored on an Ostia Antica guided walking tour.
Visit Pompeii-like Ostia Antica on day trips from Rome© marcovarro/Shutterstock
Easy to reach Santa Severa might be low on historic sites, but it's great for beaches and less than an hour's drive northwest of Rome. The coast here is known for long, unbroken stretches of sand and a number of free, public beaches which are perfect for soaking up the summer sun that's often a shade too hot in the centre of Rome in July and August.
Take a break from the seaside to visit the local castle and browse its small museum. And if you can't resist a bit longer by the coast, hang out in Severa for a day or two and stay at Ostello del Castello di Santa on the seafront.
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Next year, Italy will introduce a flurry of new train routes, especially for tourists.
Discover the enchanting beauty of Rome in just 3 days. Explore ancient wonders such as the Colosseum and Roman Forum, savour the splendour of the Vatican's treasures and the charming streets of Trastevere. This 3-day itinerary promises an unforgettable Roman adventure. Here's how to spend 3 days in Rome.
Enter the Eight O’Clock Coffee “Chill in Italy” sweepstakes by July 13, 2016, for a chance to win the grand prize: a seven-day trip for two to Italy, including air and hotel accommodations. (Winner may elect to receive a check for $4,000 in lieu of the trip.)
Looking for the best cities to live in or retire abroad? The world’s most livable city is once again Vienna, Austria, according to The Economist’s Intelligence Unit’s annual Most Livable Cities ranking.
May is here, which means Memorial Day–the unofficial start to summer–is just around the corner. Memorial Day isn’t the biggest travel holiday of the year, with many people choosing quick, local getaways (read: driving, instead of flying).
Holland America Line will launch a 42-day cruise across the Atlantic Ocean and around Europe and the Middle East from Florida next year, inspired by a journey the cruise line took nearly 100 years ago.
With its long, sunny days, and kids out of school, summer is typically a busy season for travel. But jam-packed planes and sky-high airfares mean that many Americans aren’t able to plan for as much travel as they’d like this year.
It has to be Berlin. During a month-long summer trip in the late noughties, I fell in love with Kreuzberg’s €2 kebabs, cheap pilsner and vibrant street art. I strolled through leafy Prenzlauer Berg, home to endless coffee, cake and culture. This city has whatever food you could possibly want (currywurst is a must – meat, veggie or otherwise, big and budget-friendly). But the highlight was taking a train out to the stunning lake Wannsee. We packed a picnic, stripped off, sank our toes in the sand and swam, swam, swam until the canalside clubs began calling our name.Jessica Cole
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Soya Hokkaido is among the northernmost regions in Japan. It’s an area of staggering natural beauty, with a duo of wildlife-rich islands – Rishiri and Rebun – to explore, as well as Wakkanai, Japan’s northernmost city, and its enticing surrounds. Stupendous 360 vistas are seen from glorious viewpoints and walks in the area, including the famous Soya Hills White Path. Rough Guides brings you the perfect itinerary in Soya Hokkaido, Japan.
If you've got wheels, wanderlust and a spot of time, a road trip in Europe offers the chance to see the continent at a more relaxed pace. From the sunny shores of Portugal to the dungeons of Dracula's castle in Transylvania in Romania, the following itineraries can be easily combined, shortened or altered to suit your wayfaring tastes. Here are 9 of the best road trips in Europe, a clutch of which also feature in our run-down of the best countries for summer in Europe.
The early cathedrals, abbeys and churches of Germany tell the tale of rival kings and emperors, of expanding Christianity and new forms of art and architecture. Standing face-to-face with millennium-old buildings, you can only think of the ingenuity and sacrifices made at the time to erect such massive and innovative structures. From atmospheric abbeys to some of the best cathedrals in Germany, prepare to be amazed.