Viterbo: located about 1 hour, 30 minutes north of Rome, Viterbo is an interesting place to spend a day, with a medieval centre and a number of other attractions. There are also famous thermal baths and hot springs here, which are a popular place for locals to gather and gossip. With plenty of traditional Italian home-cooked food in cosy restaurants, it will certainly make a nice change from the city.

Sperlonga: this pleasant seaside town, situated south of Rome, can be reached by public transport and is a favourite day trip from the city. The town itself has a number of narrow streets and is a great place to explore. There are some excellent beaches in the surrounding areas, with the most impressive being to the south of town, where you will find long sandy beaches with lovely clear water perfect for swimming.

There is an interesting archaeological museum located at the highest point in the town, with the most famous piece being the stunning Nile Mosaic. It’s generally a sleepy town and with a good lunch and some nice wine it makes a quiet respite from the hustle and bustle of Rome.