I escaped the crowds of tourists in Rome by taking a cheap day trip to a dreamy lakeside town just an hour away

Timothy Moore

• When my husband and I took a trip to Rome, we wanted a less-touristy Italian adventure.
• At the suggestion of a tour guide in Rome, we took a train to a smaller town called Bracciano.
• We explored the Bracciano Castle and relaxed on the beach without having to deal with any crowds.

During a 25-day trip to Italy, my husband and I spent six nights in Rome.

By the end of our time in the city...