Ostia Antica Travel Guide

We stayed at the Rodrigo de Vivar Country & Rersort in Ostia.  It is an old castle-house that once belonged to a princely family.  The room was wonderful.  Very clean and tidy.  They do not take AMEX, so bring V/M.  The staff was ready and willing to help any way they could. The biggest problem with this place was that there is not a restaurant.  There are a few just around the corner, but nothing onsite.  The restaurants near by have very good food and have very good service. The biggest reason for us to stay here, was the ancient port of Rome, Ostia.  The ruins are amazing.  They are right on the coast, but since silt and human stupidity have been working against the area, it is now about a 1/2 mile from the sea and not the port it was.  There are quite a few ruins to see.  Everything from the main thourough fair with shops and inns to townhouses and villas.  There are public buildings, temples and of course those impressive walls.  Most of it is in ruins of course, but what is there is wonderful. Note:  the biggest issue is that the take off route for Da Vinci Airport goes right overhead.  Very noisey on occasion.  They are not right on you, but you can't get away from it. We went shopping for food in town and took a picnic lunch with us and ate among the ruins.  It has to be one of the most delightful days I can remember. (Outside of the planes). I'm glad we went and though, I doubt we will go back, it was well worth it.

Piraeus was to Athens as Ostia Antica was to Rome.  It's the eternal city's harbour, and the ruins are great, mosaics, theatres, and other detailed glances into the past.