For an exciting day trip, pop down to the Roman port of Ostia Antica. Founded in the fourth century B.C., Ostia served as a naval base and key administrative and warehousing center for Rome. Eventually abandoned and buried in mud, Ostia is similar to Pompeii but in some ways more interesting. Because Ostia was a working port town, it shows a more complete and gritty look at Roman life than wealthier Pompeii. On this two-hour tour, you’ll see the warehouses, apartment flats, mansions, shopping arcades, and baths that served a once-thriving port of 60,000 people. Don't forget to download the handy PDF companion map. Sightseeing nitty gritty: Cost: €6.50 for the site and museum. Hours: Tue–Sun April–Oct 8:30–19:00, Nov–Feb 8:30–16:00, March 8:30–18:00, last entry one hour before closing, closed Mon. The museum closes from 13:30 to 14:15 for lunch. Excerpted from Rick Steves' Rome 2010. Copyright 2009 Avalon Travel. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.