In the year 79 AD the explosive eruption of the volcano Vesuvius buried the flourishing city under ashes. The archaeological excavations of Pompeii are one of the most famous throughout the world for here, walking among the city’s remains and ruins, it is really possible to imagine the daily life in those times and the great terror experienced by the citizens before they were overcome by the toxic fumes of the eruption. There are streets, houses, shops and bakeries, even a brothel, and they all look as they did almost 2000 years ago.

Tivoli, 35 kilometeres from Rome, is famous for its white curative mineral water. Ancient Romans used to come here to relax. Among the olive trees, stand the ruins of the Villa Adriana built by the Emperor Hadrian to remind him of the places he had seen during his voyages in the East. Tivoli also has another beautiful residence worthy of visiting – the Renaissance Villa D’Este. In the magnificent gardens of the villa as many as 500 fountains can be found and one cannot help but marvel at how gracefully they are integrated with the landscape.

Down at the port of Naples, the medieval fortress Maschio Angioino, was built on the orders of Charles I of Anjou as the new royal palace. Castle Nuovo, as it is frequently called, has seen a number of historically significant events since its construction was undertaken in the 13th century. The Baroque-styled Certosa of San Martino is yet another landmark. In the chambers you will discover matchless examples of Neapolitan Christmas nativity scenes. On the hilltop overlooking the bay of Naples you can admire the splendid Royal Palace, or Capodimonte, with a surrounding park. The palace houses one of Italy’s most notable galleries with several works by first-rate artists, such as Botticelli, Raffaello, Bruegel and El Greco.

Girdled by ancient walls, the hill town of Assissi provides the opportunity to visit many places of interest: the Church of St. Claire that is visited by pilgrims from all over the world; the childhood home of St. Francis, the patron saint of Italy; the Roman Temple of Minerva; the Townhall and the Townhall Square with its People’s Palace. The walls of the charming St. Francis’ Basilica are adorned with invaluable frescoes painted in the 12th-14th centuries. Visitors to the Basilica are struck by the details of the workmanship. A highlight will be the chance to see Assissi’s best preserved Roman monument in the Piazza del Commune.

Cerveteri is a town in northern Lazio, worth visiting, as it is an archaeological site with Etruscan treasures that you have possibly seen at the Villa Giulia or Vatican museums in Rome. There is a 7th to 5th -Century BC necropolis, called Necropoli della Banditaccia, which covers an area of 400 ha and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It consists of dozens of tombs in the form of mounds with carved interior chambers that can be explored, so remember to bring a flashlight. A visit to Cerveteri is a great chance to get away from the bustling capital and to wander around the peaceful and quiet scenery. It's most convenient to go there during a weekday. Take the Metro Line A to Lepanto, and then blue COTRAL bus directly to Cerveteri.

After you have explored all the major sites in Rome, going to one of the beaches will be a great getaway. The closest one is in Lido di Ostia, which can be reached by Metro Line B. You can find there many beach clubs with all facilities. Free-access passageways are also available. Lido is one of the liveliest weekend destinations, popular among Romans. It has grown into a town of about 90,000 inhabitants. Another attraction is the Mediterranean Habitat Centre, where bird watching is possible, as well as the State Nature Reserve on the Roman Coastal Area. In Ostia centre you can see the Michael Tower, built in 1560, possibly according to a project by Michelangelo.