Compared to the long lines at the Vatican and the Colosseum, the 45min. trip to Ostia is downright quick. The trip also allows you to fulfill your vacation checklist: history, sightseeing, partying, and relaxation. For the first two, a trip to the ruins of Ostia Antica provides a look at Roman life for people who were less fancy—but luckier—than the inhabitants of Pompeii. As a port city, Ostia was home to sailors and merchants who naturally supported both business (marketplaces and warehouses) and pleasure (taverns and theaters). The ruins are sprawling and mostly unprotected (to the delight of visitors and chagrin of historians), so count on spending a few hours wandering them. For partying and relaxation, head two train stops further to Lido di Ostia Centro, where Romans come for beaches and nightlife in the summer. After a visit to Ostia, you’ll have stories to tell your Latin teacher and your jealous friends back home.