Travel bucket list idea:
Rome, Lazio, Italy
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Located where the River Tiber meets the sea, Ostia Antica was the harbour city of ancient Rome, and is one of Italy’s best-preserved archaeological sites.
As a port, it was naturally cosmopolitan: Persian, Phrygian and Egyptian gods were all worshipped in its shrines. Beautiful mosaic pavements (notably in the Forum of the Corporations), warehouses, apartment buildings (insulae), merchant’s houses, taverns, baths and a theatre, recall Ostia’s old prosperity on silent streets under the parasol pines.
Ostia is about a 45-minute metro/train journey from Rome. Take the metro (line B) to Piramide, and catch the Roma Lido commuter train to Ostia Antica (about 30 minutes). If you want to drive, take Via del Mare, running parallel to Via Ostiense, and follow the signs to scavi (ruins).
On Sundays (Sept-Oct & Mar-Jun), Cooperativa IL SOGNO runs a cruise to Ostia Antica. Boats depart at around 9.45am from Ponte Marconi and return at 3pm.
After visiting the ruins, hop back on the train and head for a dip at Lido di Ostia, the last stop on the train (P.Le Stazione Del Lido). Perfect to wash off the dust from those ruins.
The site is open all year round, Tuesday through Sundays (closed Mondays). It’s generally less crowded after lunch. In the spring, it’s especially lovely and lush.
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