Tarquinia, How to get there?

[dbh62ark]

dbh62ark - The town looks lovely. One question I have: is it a difficult walk up to the town? My Mom is 81 and although she gets around quite well, uphill climbs can become difficult for her. Thanks.

It may be hard for her, so that will be a tough call. The climb is fairly steep, but the sidewalk surface up to the village is even. If she's able to walk hills at all, I think she'd be OK because she can just take her time. As noted, after you enter the village, the streets are cobblestone, but I think there were some even surfaces too like you see in a lot of villages in Europe. It's fairly flat after you enter the village with some steep streets you can walk down to see the views of the surrounding moutains, but you can see several charming streets without going there.

 

Happy travels,

Donna

[MSPCUBS]

Thanks, Donna.

[dbh62ark]

You're welcome, and have a great trip. :)

[MSPCUBS]

WE did rent a car for the day. Got an automatic with a GPS from Hertz. We drove to Tarquinnia. What a find! The museum was wonderful and the Etruscan tombs were amazing!

Just a word of caution, our GPS got us to town and then we had all sorts of problems with it. The voice would say turn right and the road on the screen would show left and we kept getting lost. We finally shut off the voice and just followed the screen.

In spite of the cold and rainy weather, we had a great day.

[Italylecturer]

So glad there are people not afraid to take the local buses...a great way to interact with us natives!

Glad you liked Civita (I wouldn't recommend for 81 yr.old or on a hot day) and Tarquinia (choose to do only 2-4 tombs, those stairs can be deadly) and remember there are many lovely towns within a 30 km. distance such as Vetralla (Norchia a wild Etruscan site), Viterbo with Europe's best preserved medieval center, Villa Lante a gorgeous Renaissance garden.

Unfortunately only a few licensed taxi plying trade (how different in Pireus, Corfu, Kushadsi and all the other Med. ports!) so renting a car and/or setting up with a driver before hand is the only way to go, if you are not courageous enough to catch the local COTRAL bus.

[jmb4534]

My favorite in that area is Civita de Bagnoregio (I think Rick Steves said this is his favorite place too). For those who can take that option--we went there via private driver--I can't recommend highly enough.

 

Happy travels,

Donna

 

Donna,

 

Back in 2008, we took your advice and rented a car and drove to Civita de Bagnoregio. It was everything you described and more! The trip that day was great. It is such a magical place. We covered a LOT of ground that day, seeing Tuscania, Vertibo, Orvieto, as well as Civita. This year we want to bring some of our friends there. I think we would enjoy it more with a driver. Who did you use? and would you recommend them?

 

Thanks, Janelle

[Softball20]

So glad there are people not afraid to take the local buses...a great way to interact with us natives!

Glad you liked Civita (I wouldn't recommend for 81 yr.old or on a hot day) and Tarquinia (choose to do only 2-4 tombs, those stairs can be deadly) and remember there are many lovely towns within a 30 km. distance such as Vetralla (Norchia a wild Etruscan site), Viterbo with Europe's best preserved medieval center, Villa Lante a gorgeous Renaissance garden.

Unfortunately only a few licensed taxi plying trade (how different in Pireus, Corfu, Kushadsi and all the other Med. ports!) so renting a car and/or setting up with a driver before hand is the only way to go, if you are not courageous enough to catch the local COTRAL bus.

 

Ok - a little off topic, but what would you recommend for our last day before flying home after a 10 night Med cruise? We are spending time in Rome before the cruise, and we are thinking that we might not be up for more museums, ruins, etc., so I'm thinking of something more relaxing - perhaps a winery. We have a hotel at the airport, but we are flexible as to where we spend the day.

[Italylecturer]

What about a visit to a private castle , or Renaissance gardens that have not changed since the 18th century? It all depends on what your interests are. Being from Virginia, you might like to see where Jefferson first saw artichokes that he then replanted at Monticello. There are so many connections across history here , there is something for everyone.

[jmb4534]

Ok - a little off topic, but what would you recommend for our last day before flying home after a 10 night Med cruise? We are spending time in Rome before the cruise, and we are thinking that we might not be up for more museums, ruins, etc., so I'm thinking of something more relaxing - perhaps a winery. We have a hotel at the airport, but we are flexible as to where we spend the day.

 

You could rent a car or hire a driver when you disembark and tour the area north of Rome (which is the area that has been mentioned in this thread). Civita de Bagnoregio, Orvieto, Viterbo a MUST if you are that region.

[Softball20]

Thanks. Both Viterbo and Orvieto sound wonderful. We've been looking at getting a driver for the day but we can't decide if we want to go there or to a winery. So many choices!

[Softball20]

Thanks. I had a hard time finding a map - is it near enough to take a cab?

[Italylecturer]

If you can find a cab ..its one of the problems of Civitavecchia.

To be absolutely sure I'd book a car for the day. Do you drive manual shift?

Eventually the area will get their act together...this area is really worthwhile visiting ...and living here .

Buon viaggio!

[joanne59]

When you say book a car--do you mean rent a car, or hire a driver? We would like to spend time in these lovely little towns, but not sure we are up to driving. The bus systems sounds doable, but a private hire is a more reasonable option if we don't want to tempt fate on the unfamiliar roads. Thank you

[Grandme]

My favorite in that area is Civita de Bagnoregio (I think Rick Steves said this is his favorite place too). For those who can take that option--we went there via private driver--I can't recommend highly enough.

 

Happy travels,

Donna

 

Hi Donna

 

We are 4 people that would like info on your tour. We are on a cruise Jan.20,2011, we all have been to Roma 4 times and would like to see something diffrent to see. Please if you can, more info.

 

Thanks

[Softball20]

We just did a day tour with StefanoRomeTours.com. The one we did included Orvieto and Civita de Bagnoregio. It was partly a wine tasting tour and partly just exploring some little towns. Orvieto was wonderful. Civita is a lovely little village, as well. Very small and a fairly quick stop. The web site above has lots of tour options to check out. We did a day like this as we, too, had been to Rome a few times and wanted to do/see something different. It was the day we disembarked the ship, so it was a really relaxing way to spend the day and not deal with the business of Rome.

[GSPLover]

We are going back to Tarquinia in a little over a week. Our original plan was fly into Rome, train to Civitavecchia, then bus to Tarquinia. Italian labor unions have changed tht - there is a national train strike Sep 30th at 9PM til Oct 1st 9PM. We arrive early on the 1st. On top of that, the is a national local bus strike on the 1st.

 

Renting a car at FCO. Driving to Civitavecchia, drop off luggage, and then heading for Tarquinia. On the way back, stopping at Terme de Traiano (Trajuns Bath) which is quite near Civitavecchia. Actually dates back to Etruscan times. Should be an interesting afternoon.

[Hlitner]

We are going to get flamed, but here is our take on Tarquinia. We have spent many months driving throughout Italy (more then 10,000 miles) and absolutely love the country and the Italians. That being said, when it comes to Tarquinia it would not even make our top 100 list of places to visit while in Italy. In fact, not sure it would make our top 200 list (have never tried to list 200 places). And yes, we have been to Tarquinia (both on a port day and while driving through the region) and are familiar with the Etruscan stuff in that region (we have paid our dues on walking into mounds of earth) and its still is way down our list. We do understand there are different strokes for different strokes, but just do not see the charm or worthiness of this town. Ok folks, so please flame away since we do like to hear other opinions and do sometimes alter our position.

 

Hank

[GSPLover]

We are going to get flamed, but here is our take on Tarquinia. We have spent many months driving throughout Italy (more then 10,000 miles) and absolutely love the country and the Italians. That being said, when it comes to Tarquinia it would not even make our top 100 list of places to visit while in Italy. In fact, not sure it would make our top 200 list (have never tried to list 200 places). And yes, we have been to Tarquinia (both on a port day and while driving through the region) and are familiar with the Etruscan stuff in that region (we have paid our dues on walking into mounds of earth) and its still is way down our list. We do understand there are different strokes for different strokes, but just do not see the charm or worthiness of this town. Ok folks, so please flame away since we do like to hear other opinions and do sometimes alter our position.

 

Hank

Hank,

It is not really on our top ten list either; but it is something to do pre-cruise for a day. Somewhat interesting; but not that much. Adding Terme de Traiano to the mix adds another factor.

[Can'tstopcruising]

Hank,

It is not really on our top ten list either; but it is something to do pre-cruise for a day. Somewhat interesting; but not that much. Adding Terme de Traiano to the mix adds another factor.

 

If possible, would you post about Tarquinia? Our cruise leaves Oct. 13 and we are planning to go there from Civitivecchia.

 

Sorry to read that Hank disliked it. Did you like the Etruscan tombs?

[Missus Makkem]

We are going to get flamed, but here is our take on Tarquinia. We have spent many months driving throughout Italy (more then 10,000 miles) and absolutely love the country and the Italians. That being said, when it comes to Tarquinia it would not even make our top 100 list of places to visit while in Italy. In fact, not sure it would make our top 200 list (have never tried to list 200 places). And yes, we have been to Tarquinia (both on a port day and while driving through the region) and are familiar with the Etruscan stuff in that region (we have paid our dues on walking into mounds of earth) and its still is way down our list. We do understand there are different strokes for different strokes, but just do not see the charm or worthiness of this town. Ok folks, so please flame away since we do like to hear other opinions and do sometimes alter our position.

 

Hank

 

was that posting really necessary,

[HeinBloed]

Where do you get the bus or train to Tarquinia? has anyone rented a car in Civit. port for the day ans is it close to the port? Thanks

 

We are planning to rent a car with Hertz.

 

They provide Short-Term-Rentals:

 

45.00 EUR incl. tax, insurance and 200 km for a small car for 6 hours.

 

CDP: 583966 (DOES NOT WORK WITH YOUR INDIVIDUAL CDP-NO. WITH THEM)

RQ: HHR6EU

 

We found out that the shuttle bus from the City Center to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Necropolis only goes twice a day in early morning time when we still want to be on the ship to have breakfast.

 

So that's the easiest to use a car rental to move around.

 

Hertz is just 5 minutes walk away from the port gate where the port shuttle arrives:

 

 

 

 

Regards

HeinBloed

[GSPLover]

If possible' date=' would you post about Tarquinia? Our cruise leaves Oct. 13 and we are planning to go there from Civitivecchia.

 

Sorry to read that Hank disliked it. Did you like the Etruscan tombs?[/quote']

 

We are going back to Tarquinia on Oct 1st. When we were there in 2008, a wierd storm had come through bringing rain, hail, and high winds. That kinda dampened our spirits in more ways than one. The museum is wonderful. Worth the expense.

 

After the tombs we are also driving to Terme de Traiano (baths of Trajun), near Civitavecchia.

[Can'tstopcruising]

We are planning to rent a car with Hertz.

 

They provide Short-Term-Rentals:

 

45.00 EUR incl. tax, insurance and 200 km for a small car for 6 hours.

 

CDP: 583966 (DOES NOT WORK WITH YOUR INDIVIDUAL CDP-NO. WITH THEM)

RQ: HHR6EU

 

We found out that the shuttle bus from the City Center to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Necropolis only goes twice a day in early morning time when we still want to be on the ship to have breakfast.

 

So that's the easiest to use a car rental to move around.

 

Hertz is just 5 minutes walk away from the port gate where the port shuttle arrives:

 

 

 

 

Regards

HeinBloed

 

Are you saying that the bus to Tarquinia goes only twice a day? Or the bus from the centre of Tarquinia to the Necropolis goes only twice a day?

[Hlitner]

was that posting really necessary,

 

Absolutely, and thank you for proving my point about getting flamed. We simply call it as we see it. Other folks are welcome to disagree (many do) which is also fine. But we would back up our thoughts with the other hundreds of posts we have put on this particular forum singing our personal praises of Italy. But Tarquinia does not qualify for our personal praise :)

 

Hank

[HeinBloed]

Are you saying that the bus to Tarquinia goes only twice a day? Or the bus from the centre of Tarquinia to the Necropolis goes only twice a day?

 

From Civitavacchia to Tarquinia: see here:

 

http://www.cotralspa.it/PDF_Orari_Comune/Tarquinia.pdf

 

Tarquinia: Barriera S. Giusto

Civitavecchia: Piazza Vittorio

 

Feriale: Weekdays

Festivo: Sundays and Holidays

 

So you see: weekdays there is a more or less frequent service.

Sundays only two services!!!

 

From Tarquinia to Necropols:

 

http://www.comune.tarquinia.vt.it/pagina116_orari-mezzi-di-trasporto-pubblici.html

 

But the actual one is not published yet...

 

The last one valid until: September 10, 2010:

 

http://www.comune.tarquinia.vt.it/moduli/output_immagine.php?id=577

 

7 departures on Weekdays

2 departures on Sundays

 

So ignore the twice a day as this is limited only to Sundays.

 

But even the 7 departures is only during "rush-hour" 3 morning / 4 afternoon.

 

Regards

HeinBloed