Day Trip from Civitavecchia

[wisteria1019]

We’ve been to Rome a few times and are contemplating spending three nights pre cruise in Civitavecchia. Recommended day trips/tours that would work from the port town?

[cruisemom42]

Are you planning on renting a car?  Arranging a private tour for your group?  Using public transportation?

 

Knowing that would help narrow down the options. 

 

If you are considering regular bus tours, you'd be better off staying in Rome where a greater variety of these are available and will often pick up/drop off at your hotel.

 

[wisteria1019]

Not renting a car. Private tour. Thank you.

[cruisemom42]

Thanks -- some relatively easy possibilities with a private tour!

 

These include:

 

• The charming town of Tarquinia, including a visit to the wonderful Etruscan Museum and then a stop to visit the unrivalled Etruscan cemetery just outside the city with a large number of painted tombs.  Etruscan Painted Tombs of Tarquinia | World Monuments Fund (wmf.org)
• A day trip to the hill town of Orvieto, which has a beautiful cathedral, several museums, good shopping (especially for Italian ceramics) and good food. Could also include a stop at the Cerveteri Etruscan tombs, which are slightly different to the ones mentioned above, and/or a stop at the very pretty but almost abandoned hill town of Civita di Bagnoregio.
• A bit of a longer drive, but you could head to Tivoli to see the ruins of the villa of Emporor Hadrian and also the Renaissance Villa d'Este, both within a short distance of each other. Lunch in town at Ristorante Sibilla at the upper end of the town with a gorgeous view onto two Roman temples.
• If you like ruins, you could visit Ostia Antica, an abandoned Roman town somewhat like Pompeii in scope.  This could easily be done by train instead of private guide if desired.

[euro cruiser]

With three nights I would consider staying in one of the towns suggested above rather than the rather insipid Civitavecchia, especially since you're willing to pay for a car service to get around.

 

Also, if you stay in either Orvieto or Tarquinia, you could spend an entire day or two just exploring the town, no need for a car or driver.

 

I know Civitavecchia has her defenders here on the boards, but you can visit everything of interest there in less than a day.   Why not stay somewhere that's both a great place to stay and to visit?

[Tenderpaw]

We used these folks for a private all day tour of Rome.  It was fantastic.  Great service and a local experienced guide. 

 

https://rometransferservices.com/

 

 

[wisteria1019]

Thank you all so much. We’ve also been toying with the idea of flying into Venice on Saturday, taking the train to Civitavecchia on Wednesday before cruise on Thursday.

[cruisemom42]

2 hours ago, wisteria1019 said:

Thank you all so much. We’ve also been toying with the idea of flying into Venice on Saturday, taking the train to Civitavecchia on Wednesday before cruise on Thursday.

 

That sounds like a much better plan than basing yourselves in Civitavecchia for that long.

[marazul]

19 hours ago, wisteria1019 said:

Thank you all so much. We’ve also been toying with the idea of flying into Venice on Saturday, taking the train to Civitavecchia on Wednesday before cruise on Thursday.

That's a winner!

[wisteria1019]

Thanks for your input. We decided to leave Denver on Friday and spend four full days in Rome.

Happy Travels to you