Ideas for Rome that don't include the standard highlights

Hi, my sisters and I are going on a cruise that includes a stop in Citavvecchia and are trying to come up with a shore excursion that doesn't include the standard sites like the Coliseum, Vatican,etc. We've been to Rome before and have seen those sites so would like to do something else.

I would like to see the catacombs but haven't seen a shore excursion that includes them. I was thinking of Tivoli and Hadrian's estate but was wondering if anyone had done those as shore excursions and did they like them?

We're really open to just about anything -- I've also seen a shore excursion to Ostia Antica which seemed interesting as well.

Any ideas are more than welcome --- thanks in advance!

There are many, many options.

You could get into Rome (either on your own via train or likely your cruise offers a "transportation only" option). From there you can find many things to see in addition to the Vatican and Colosseum. For example: San Clemente, the Capitoline Museum, Galleria Borghese, Baths of Caracalla, & many others.

If you are looking at private excursions, then any of the other things you name are possible -- just depends on what you like. Tivoli is the farthest away -- it would be a long-ish drive there and back. It is a lovely place though, with both Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'Este to see -- if you have enough time.

Ostia Antica is another site that's difficult to do from Civitavecchia without some sort of private excursion or ship tour. It is somewhat like Pompeii in that it is a large, sprawling abandoned Roman city (albeit of somewhat later date).

Tarquinia is another option (private tour) that's not too far away from Civitavecchia. You can visit the amazing painted tombs of the Etruscans and also the good museum in the town itself.

Or you could consider a private tour to Orvieto, sometimes combined with a visit to Civita di Bagnoregio. Both are very photogenic hill towns.

Thanks so much for the feedback. I think we might want to organize a shared tour so, of course, that makes it a little more difficult because I'm not sure what will appeal to other people. We're going to see Pompeii (which totally thrills me) so I'm thinking Ostica might be too similar. Tarquina sounds pretty interesting. If Tivoli is a long drive that certainly would be a detriment to doing that. Thanks for all the food for thought1

The Roma Ruins at OSTIA ANTICA the original port of Rome are very spectacular, and actually probably in better condition than over hyped Pompei.

You get there by Metro train from Central Roma :

Details here, how to get there under 1st tab .

http://www.ostiaantica.beniculturali.it/en/

Allow minimum half day, catering on site .

The Roma Ruins at OSTIA ANTICA the original port of Rome are very spectacular, and actually probably in better condition than over hyped Pompei.

 

You get there by Metro train from Central Roma :

 

Details here, how to get there under 1st tab .

 

http://www.ostiaantica.beniculturali.it/en/

 

Allow minimum half day, catering on site .

I do not agree that the ruins at Ostia are in better condition than the ones at Pompeii. They are both in about the same state of preservation, but they vary greatly in terms of how they were built and what is still remaining on site. I've spent a significant amount of time at both sites (more than most casual tourists) and I could list dozens of differences between the two -- but for the visitor with an average interest, I don't think there is a huge difference.

(For example -- private houses are much better, and more of them are open, at Pompeii than at Ostia. Pompeii also has much more in the way of frescoes. Ostia is more about commerce and business -- lots of warehouses, more "civic" areas.)

Also, the OP is not coming from central Rome but from Civitavecchia, which is much less convenient by train. (You have to go into Rome and then backtrack to Ostia). Hence, it is a site much better done by private tour or ship tour from Civitavecchia.

Eternalcitytours.com offers a number of tours of Christian Rome.

We went to Tarquinia to see the Etruscan tombs. It was a nice break as we'd been to Rome twice.

Wow -- I'd really like to thank you all for such great information. The more I learn of these places the more amazing they seem. The photos of Ostia are just astounding - I had no idea it was such an extensive place! Tarquinia sounds really really interesting as well. I've been googling these different places but you guys gave me better information than the hour I spent googling. We plan on doing a private shared shore excursion if possible. I've done a number of private shore excursions but have never tried to start a shared excursion -- hopefully that will work out.

Thanks again!

We enjoyed Galleria Borghese and the grounds around Villa Borghese.

I've also been to Rome before, so I wanted a "different" thing to do while the Epic stops at Civitavecchia.

I am doing a tour to Civita de Bagnoregio (I also considered a tour to Orvieto, but Civita looked more appealing to me). I get to see more of the Roman countryside and visit a really old scenic hilltop town.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civita_di_Bagnoregio

Boy, you guys have been a wealth of information! This has been incredibly helpful.

I've also been to Rome before, so I wanted a "different" thing to do while the Epic stops at Civitavecchia.

 

I am doing a tour to Civita de Bagnoregio (I also considered a tour to Orvieto, but Civita looked more appealing to me). I get to see more of the Roman countryside and visit a really old scenic hilltop town.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civita_di_Bagnoregio

 

I've been to Orvieto and it is lovely. I would highly recommend. You could easily spend a day there. I almost decided to go to Orvieto again, but I want to see someplace that I haven't been so I'm going to Civita de Bagnoregio and Tuscania this time.

I would recommend going to Tivoli if time permits and visiting Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'Este. There is a wonderful restaurant with spectacular views and great food in Tivoli called Sibilla di la Mura Luigia.

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Do you recall how long a drive it is from the Livorno port to go to Tivoli? I have seen a number of private shore excursions that list it but after cruisemom42 mentioned distance I looked at a map and it does look pretty far away.

I can't believe how many fantastic choices there are to see -- talk about a wealth of riches. It makes me want to do a vacation and just stay near Rome to see all of these sites.

Do you recall how long a drive it is from the Livorno port to go to Tivoli? I have seen a number of private shore excursions that list it but after cruisemom42 mentioned distance I looked at a map and it does look pretty far away.

 

I can't believe how many fantastic choices there are to see -- talk about a wealth of riches. It makes me want to do a vacation and just stay near Rome to see all of these sites.

I assume you meant from Civitavecchia (not Livorno) port. I don't have an exact timing but it would have to be at least 90 minutes by car. Maybe more depending on traffic.

Rome indeed is a wonderful destination. Not only are there uncountable things to see in Rome itself, there are also so many things nearby. I've been to Rome umpteen times and am still finding new things to see and do. :D

I've been to Orvieto and it is lovely. I would highly recommend. You could easily spend a day there. I almost decided to go to Orvieto again, but I want to see someplace that I haven't been so I'm going to Civita de Bagnoregio and Tuscania this time.

Are you taking a private tour?

We are staying in Rome and I am looking for something a bit out of the ordinary.

Are you taking a private tour?

We are staying in Rome and I am looking for something a bit out of the ordinary.

One more addition to the wonderful suggestions already mentioned:

In Rome itself:

Hadrian's Tomb/Castel Sant Angelo: the word tomb doesn't even begin to capture the fascination of this place. The fact that Hadrian and succeeding emperors were buried there is only a small part of this structure. It was expanded, turned into a fort and connected to the Vatican by a fortified corridor. The two viewing levels provide some of the best panoramic views of Rome. (If you know opera, the character Tosca commits suicide by leaping to her death from the tomb.) Bonus: the walk to the entrance crosses a pedestrian bridge over the Tiber decorated with Bernini angels.

We enjoyed Galleria Borghese and the grounds around Villa Borghese.

This

Cruisemom (as always) gives good advice.

I have been to Rome on 6 different cruise stops over the years and I still have not seen enough

1. The first time was on a ship tour - St Peter's, the Forum, Trevi Fountain and Colloseum. It was hot and exhausting. The Trevi Fountain was being cleaned.

2 Second and third time we went to St Peters, St Giovanni in Lateran, St Clemente, Scala Santa, Piazza Venizia (and inside the monument), Trevi and we saw lots of fountains on the way.

3. Janiculum hill (really great view of Rome) and the Garibaldi monument, Trastevere, Campo de Fiori, Pantheon (there must have been more stops on this route)

4 Vatican, Piazza Verona, Trevi, Santa Maria Maggiore

5. Borghese Villa, Cappuchin Crypt, Pantheon and shops.

6. St Peter's Square and the Pope, Castel Sant Angelo, Piazza del Popolo, Trevi Fountain, Colloseum (outside), Piazza Venezia, Santa Maria Maggiore.

I know that I have visited some places more than once because I have loved them. However I know that I still have a couple more trips to see new places. There are museums we have not seen, I have to go back to the Vatican to see more of the museum and the gardens. I want to see Santa Maria in the Piazza del Popolo (it was closed by the time we got there).

Just my thoughts that Rome is huge and there are lots of little parts that are lovely.

If you need others to make a private tour work economically you've got to think in terms of what will "sell", so to speak. Your ideal, possibly quirky, day may not attract any other takers so you may have to think more like a marketer.

I would post on your roll call immediately and see what kind of interest you can drum up.

Based on years of reading and posting on these boards I would guess that Orvieto & Civita de Bagnoregio would find an audience as would Tivoli (Villa d'Este and Villa Adriana). One of the big selling points for these two locales is that they are impossible to get to using public transit within the confines of a port day. Therefore your target audience doesn't have another way to get to them so your shared private tour may be their only option.

Hi euro cruiser, I was wondering about what will "sell" to other people too if we want to see if we can make a shared excursion work somehow. Your feedback is very useful on trying to decide what to do.

Everybody's feedback has been so helpful -- I am literally amazed at how much there is to see and do.

Most people will probably visit St.Peters Basilica. A very common spot to visit. BUT there is places within the Vatican (and St.Peters Basilica) that is open to the public, but still not the most common place to visit. Most because it is difficult to get tickets to it: The necropolis underneath the Basilica, where the tomb of St. Peter is located.

Only around 250 visitors per day are permitted to enter.

My wife and I got the confirmation today for tickets for our tour in November.

 

Tivoli (Villa d'Este and Villa Adriana).

I have just looked up Tivoli and now want to go on your cruise just to join your tour.

The Scavi tour is amazing but please don't book if you are at all claustrophobic. The ceiling is low and the air is close. On my tour we had to stop the tour trice to have two women escorted out because they were claustrophobic.

On our upcoming 5th trip to Rome we are finally going to hike the Appia Antica as it will be the first time there on a Sunday -- we figure it is a great way to burn off all of those Roman calories.

The Scavi tour is amazing but please don't book if you are at all claustrophobic. The ceiling is low and the air is close. On my tour we had to stop the tour trice to have two women escorted out because they were claustrophobic.

Thank you for this bit of information.

I am very claustrophobic and had crossed this off my list. I was hoping I would not regret it, but now know this is the right decision for me.

Tivoli (hadrians villa and villa d'este) are wonderful places to visit however it would be hard to do on your own because of it's distance. Ostia is really nice and very doable on your own via train. Yes you have to go into Rome to change trains however you'll save big bucks. It's not Pompeii but much easier to walk around and more greenery. On our last cruise I advised someone who had seen it all in Rome to go to Tarquinia. I had not been there but it's on my list. I'm glad they loved it cuz it's still on my list :)