If you know anything about Italy, chances are you’ve heard of Venice, Florence, Milan and Rome.
But these beautiful cities make up just a fraction of this incredible country.
So on my second trip to Italy, when I found myself in Rome again- I decided I wanted to see more than the Vatican, Colosseum, and the other well known (and very crowded) tourists spots I visited last time.
I was traveling with my friend Morgan and we decided to buy train tickets to cities we’d never heard of- either that locals recommended or that google listed as “scenic”. We randomly picked some cities without researching much and off we went to explore!
1. Castel Gandolfo
Our first stop was to Castel Gandolfo. A beautiful and tiny Italian city overlooking a massive lake where the Pope spends his summers.
When you first get off the train, it seems like you’ve been dropped off in the middle of nowhere. Just follow the signs which lead you up a short uphill hike (again, it really seems like you are in the middle of nowhere) until you turn a corner and find an adorable picturesque town on top of the Alban Hills.
View of Lake Albano 
So many delicious cafes and shops to explore!
You can tour the Pope’s summer home in the off season, explore the gardens, and wander the streets for the shops, cafes, and gelato!
Adorable homes line the hill tops in Castel Gandolfo. 
Pasta for lunch at an outdoor cafe overlooking Lake Albano!
I highly recommend exploring the unique and interesting shops, like this mosaic artist’s workshop!
They have many beautiful pieces for sale in the shop!
Overall, Castel Gandolfo is a must see!
2. Albano Laziale
We then hopped a 1€ train (so cheap!) to another town, Albano Laziale. Full of rich history, museums, ruins, shops and picturesque Italian streets!
3. Orvieto
But BY FAR, the best day trip you can take out of Rome is Orvieto.
This majestic city is perched high on an rocky cliff, the train drops you off at the bottom and you board a small tram that takes you up into this incredible medieval cliff city!
Once inside the city, you can go to the top of the city clock tower for 2€ and get an incredible view!
Read: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO ORVIETO: THE HIDDEN GEM OF ITALY
Not only can you get to the top of the city, but you can go BENEATH it! The city sits on over 1,200 caves – still in use! For just a few euros, you can tour a public cave and learn about the history of the caves in medieval warfare.
Orvieto is incredible because there are no tourist crowds, no lines to wait in and overall just a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere! We felt like we had the place practically to ourselves. We just wandered the streets and at night had a picnic on a castle ledge overlooking Italy.
Read: HOW TO VISIT ORVIETO, ITALY ON A BUDGET
And no trip here would be complete without visiting the incredible Duomo di Orvieto.
Orvieto was an absolute dream, like traveling back in time!
No amount of photos can do it justice, I encourage you to go see it for yourself.
More on Italy:
- HOW TO VISIT ORVIETO, ITALY ON A BUDGET
- A COMPLETE GUIDE TO ORVIETO: THE HIDDEN GEM OF ITALY
- HOW TO GET FREE GUIDED TOURS ALL OVER EUROPE
- THE BEST HOSTEL IN ROME
Off-Shoulder Jumpsuit
Button Up Dress
Teal Maxi Dress
I love the idea of traveling to places less well known! So brave and adventurous to just hop a train to anywhere! Can’t wait to hear more about your travels!
Thanks Aubrey! It’s a great way to escape the crowds in Rome for a day!!
Tell me more about the cathedral! It looks absolutely amazing. What year was it built? Were you able to go on a tour of the cathedral?
The cathedral is incredible and you can tour the inside for just a few euros 🙂 It’s a massive 14th century Roman catholic cathedral with a very unique design inside and out, a must see!