Italy: Post Cruise May 2019--Something Different--Suggestions?

We are getting off a ship in Civitavecchi in early May 2019 (Lisbon to Rome on the Royal Clipper). We will have 3 nights post cruise, probably the last night will be near the airport. We have done Rome several times, been to the standard cruise stops in Italy, and stayed in Santa Marinella for a pre-cruise experience.

Looking for some suggestions on where to stay (which towns) for two nights, either by car transfer or getting a rental car. Tarquinia, Siena, Spoleto??? A 3 hour drive from the port is probably the max. We are laid back folks who walk a lot, spend a lot of time taking pictures, enjoy beautiful views, like quaint villages, people watch, don't spend too much time inside museums/castles/etc anymore. We do enjoy local meals and wine. :p Never have stayed in Civitavecchi. Should we?

Any other suggestions/recommendations from all you CC travelers? Thank you!

We would rent a car. Either stay in Siena or perhaps make an agritourismo you base for two days and do some short tours in the surrounding hill towns.

You could also train to Florence. Stay there for a few days. Take the local bus to Siena for one of the days.

Alternatively you could take the train to CInque Terre, change in Pisa, for a few days. We had three wonderful days there and used Riagammore as a base. You would not want to rent a car for this.

Lucca and environs is another option. Easy train connection from Civ to Lucca. Or train to Lucca. Then train to Florence. Then train to FCO.

Too many options to list. Grab a touring book and see what interests you.

iancal,

Thank you for the inputs. Have been to Florence, Pisa, Cinque Terre, Naples as port stops. Not real keen on the train bag drag nowadays. We did live in Europe and used to do a lot of train travel. Rental car probably is our best option. Haven't checked out Lucca--will research. Yes, I do have some guide books--just looking for some personal inputs.

Another thing I forgot to add, we don't like big crowds. That might be a factor some places. ; )

We have stayed in numerous agritourisms in Tuscany and Umbria. They are wonderful. Last time we stayed in one it was just outside Siena. We could see the lights of the city from our room.

Absolutely agree with you.....rental car is the very best way to see this part of Italy if you have a few days. So many interesting hill towns. What we like about it is that many of the places/towns take on a very different atmosphere in the late afternoon/evening. Many cruisers who only do day trips miss this and it is often our favourite time of the day.

We have stayed in numerous agritourisms in Tuscany and Umbria. They are wonderful. Last time we stayed in one it was just outside Siena. We could see the lights of the city from our room.

 

Absolutely agree with you.....rental car is the very best way to see this part of Italy if you have a few days. So many interesting hill towns. What we like about it is that many of the places/towns take on a very different atmosphere in the late afternoon/evening. Many cruisers who only do day trips miss this and it is often our favourite time of the day.

Oh my, this sounds like something we would really enjoy. I need to start researching this. Thank you!

PS Care to share the one outside Siena?

Orvieto would also be a nice place to park oneself for a few days, and it's not far from Rome. On the minus side, it will be crowded during the peak tourist season -- but then again, most anywhere you've heard of will be thronged at that time. :eek:

Edited to add: Or Tivoli.

There are lovely agriturismi all over Italy, there's no need to drive so far to find a wonderful one.

I would aim for a location close enough that you don't have to move to a hotel near the airport for the last night.

There are several near Lake Bracciano, for example, that would be just an hour's drive from the cruise port and an hour to the airport.

We enjoyed these two very much:

Outside Siena: San Giorgio. Farmhouse with seperate suites. Pool. Fabulous breadkfast baking by the owners sister who operates a bakery. Ten minute drive to the parking area in Siena.

Outside Orivieto: Cioccoleta. Fabulous. Tucked away, you drive off the main road to a small road that goes through fields. You really need to watch for the sign. Wonderful area. Wonderful host. Very close to Orivieto.

We have travelled though Italy several times. These are two of our favourites. We plan to return to both.

At both of these you get the best of everything. Wonderful hospitality, close to an interesting city, and close to the Tuscan hills for those leisurely short trips to various hill towns.

I am so glad I have plenty of time to research all this great information- Many thanks! :D

You could also check out the Abruzzo region, which is 90 minutes due east from Rome. The region is part of the Appenine Mountains and dotted with beautiful villages, wineries, parks, medieaval villages, and has towns on the Adriatic. We stayed at and toured the region in 2016 for a week and it was wonderful. Stayed and toured with http://www.amazingabruzzotours.com Check out their website! It is fantastic. I don't know if they still have space during the time you will be there, but the pictures will give you an idea of the region and some of the possibilities. It is not a high traffic tourist area, yet, and does not have the crowds of some of the other areas in Italy.

We are getting off a ship in Civitavecchi in early May 2019 (Lisbon to Rome on the Royal Clipper). We will have 3 nights post cruise, probably the last night will be near the airport. We have done Rome several times, been to the standard cruise stops in Italy, and stayed in Santa Marinella for a pre-cruise experience.

 

Looking for some suggestions on where to stay (which towns) for two nights, either by car transfer or getting a rental car. Tarquinia, Siena, Spoleto??? A 3 hour drive from the port is probably the max. We are laid back folks who walk a lot, spend a lot of time taking pictures, enjoy beautiful views, like quaint villages, people watch, don't spend too much time inside museums/castles/etc anymore. We do enjoy local meals and wine. :p Never have stayed in Civitavecchi. Should we?

 

Any other suggestions/recommendations from all you CC travelers? Thank you!

If you haven’t been then I would suggest Orvieto with a side trip to Civitavecchia Bagnoregio. That latter being small sleepy village with beautiful views and picturesque little alkyd. A photographers dream.

Thank y'all for the inputs. Right now, leaning towards--picking up rental car early AM after disembarking, drive to Siena for lunch and several hours of exploring. Then drive to the Orvieto area (checking on the Cioccoleta now) and stay 2 nights there. We will have a good day and a half in that area to walk around. Then head south and stay close to FCO to catch an early flight.

It's a quick add-on to our 3 week trip. We will have to return to Italy and explore more of the interior sections as a driving trip. :D

OK--almost set. Thank y'all for your inputs. Will stay at Cioccoleta (agri) for 2 nights and explore the area around Orvieto. Will pass through/stop at Siena enroute. Last night will be at the Seccy Hotel Boutique in Fiumicino (waterfront town) close to FCO.

So, what car rental companies have people had good experiences with--renting in Civitavecchi and returning to FCO? Appears we need to get an International Driving Permit and pay the local insurance (not covered by AMEX). Noted--watch out for the Pedestrian Zones and road cameras. ;)