Should I take the axe to Ostia?
I would like to thank everyone for their suggestions in my previous posts. I knew the itinerary was really wishful thinking, but a guy can dream, can't he? haha. Taking many of your suggestions, I think I will drop the Florence trip. You all are absolutely right - too much.
I will certainly revise my itinerary and represent it later down the line. While I am thinking about it, if I am in Rome for 3 1/2 days, is it reasonable to still take the Ostia trip? I was essentially a Classics major in undergrad and I have always wanted to see it. That's my biggest problem with Rome - I've read all about it, now I just want to see it! Is Ostia worth the time sink, or would it be best to spend all 3 1/2 days in Rome?
Rick's guidebooks are a great source of information - I just have to recognize that I can't do it all.
Tanner
Oklahoma City 2/12/13
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You don't the axe to Ostia; you take the train. :-)
Tanner, you don't have to decide right now. Keep Ostia Antica as an option, depending on how you're feeling while in Rome. If you decide you need a break from the big (amazing) city, then you can hop on the train and go to Ostia.
Go to Roninrome.com for excellent details on how to do that easy daytrip. He has very helpful photos.
Perfect solution. See how much of Rome you get to--big must haves up front...and if you have time or just need a good 1/2 day out of the city then take the train out to Ostica.
Ostica was big on my list but didn't hit it until this past September..on my 4th trip to Rome. Loved seeing it and will go back again (I often repeat visits to favorite places to really learn them) but in reflection I timed in right in terms of other things just being more important (Vatican Museum (not via a tour as they skip too much) Borghese, Doria Pamphalli Gallery, Capitoline, etc...
If you do go to Ostica--check before leaving as to opening time...and then get there bright and early to make the most of the day.
If you've always wanted to see Ostia, definitely do it. Don't leave it for a future trip. One comment: I did Ostia on my own, which is how I typically visit that type of site. However, I would really have benefited from a guided tour. The ticket booth had no printed guides or maps when I went (not uncommon in Italy), and somewhere I took a wrong turn following the RS guidebook. Once I did that, I never figured out exactly where I was. I still enjoyed the site, but...
If I go back to Ostia, I will use Context Rome for guide services. They form groups of 6 or fewer, and use academically well qualified guides. I've used them in multiple cities and always been impressed.