Hello goldtwins

I have not stayed in the Trastevere area, so I will not comment about that.

However, I will say that the Vatican area, while quieter and local, is a bit of a trek into the historic part of Rome.

If your teenage boys are anything like mine were, they would appreciate being able to go out at night on their own, yet not be too far from the apartment. Places such as the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and Piazza Navona are hubs for folks at night, and I would imagine they'd enjoy those areas very much.

There are many apartment rental sites available. Do a search for "Rome apartments" on this site or check out slowtrav.com for reviews as well.

We have used www.sleepinitaly with good success. They have many apartments at reasonable prices.

Happy travels!

Sorry. That link is wrong.

It should be:

sleepinitaly.com

In my opinion Pza Navonna, Pantheon, Campe area is better than Trastevere, and much better than the Vatican.

Agree that slowtrav.com is a great place to start.

Regarding TV, don't get your hopes up. Don't equate sat/cable with actually getting any channels you or the teens would want to watch. 10-12 Italian channels, a couple German or French, and BBC+CNN international.

I stayed at this place last year. Location was good. (blue apt). The pedestrian street it is on gets noisy at night with passersby, but we kept the windows shut/AC on. In room washer/dryer were handy too.

www.residenzagiubbonari.com/home.html

I personally like Trastevere but agree with above posters that a more central area with night life would be better with teens.

I used sleepinitaly.com for an apt in the Campo dei Fiore area (Via Monserrato). It was very convenient as the Campo was only a couple minutes walk and there was a grocery store and take out pizzaria around the corner.

We just stayed in http://tinyurl.com/5dqb98 and it was great. Tim and Tina at Real Rome were great to work with, and solved our one problem within minutes.

This particular apartment is right off the Campo dei Fiori, which was a fantastic location. We walked to every major site from there. Of course, this was only a studio, which wouldn't work for you, but I know they had other apartments in this area which might be the right size.

I don't know about Trastavere, but we easily walked to the Vatican and the Colosseum from our apartment. You could walk FROM the Vatican to the Colosseum, but it's quite a hike.

I haven´t stayed in either area but would not stay near the Vatican as to me it is not central enough and I don´t like the area much.

We stayed in Campo de Fiori last year and it was about a 10 minute walk to Trastavere - a walk we did several times both day and night. We like that area and would consider staying there in future but for a first trip near Campo de Fiori, Piazza Navonna or perhaps Colisseum may be better for you.

slowtrav has heaps of info and reviews of rentals in rome.

I think the teens would like trastevere. When we rented an apartment there we noticed how young people congregated in the area especially at night. I also think it would be a nice experience for them to stay in a area where the young people actually live and go about their business. You have so many tourists in the P. Navona and the central area it was nice to cross the bridge and go back to trastevere.

Realrome does have many nice apartments in that area. We rented luce split level and it was nice and airy and bright and close to everything, well, within easy walking distance. We never take public transportation, prefering to stroll.

We stayed in the Spanish Steps area with a 10 year old and 13 year old.

They liked that area. Having gone to the Vatacian it seemed a little quiet and "out there".

I also used SleepinItaly - We had a two bedroom - with two baths and a/c. We did not watch TV so not sure what was on it.

The apartment we rented is no longer on their website but I know the owner rents directly. Be aware - no lift and many many stairs.

If I was going back, I would not stay in that area but the Campo de Fiori area - having said that - it was fine for our first trip to Rome.I will see if I can find the link. It was very resonable.

http://www.myhomeinitaly.it/lang1/description-2.html

Okay - hope that works.

One bonus to the apartment - it is by a music school of some sort - and there was lovely, I mean lovely music that would float up to the apartment... It felt so romantic and surreal. Opera, piano.. lovely.

Goldtwins: Just wanted to say sorry that I repeated myself here in your new thread. I just saw your response to me in your Paris thread.

Anyhoo...I think you are wise to consider the Campo/Navona/Pantheon area for your search. We spent a lot of time in this area, and really loved it.

Good luck on your search.

We stayed by Piazza Novona last summer with 2 older teenage girls and they loved trastevere -filled with teenagers hanging out at night in central squares, we felt that they were safe (but we live in nyc). I think it would be great as long as you're near the center, not at the outskirts

Hellon goldtwins, I have never rented an apartment in Rome (or anywhere in Italy) but I would discourage you from staying in the area of the Vatican. The travel agent some family members used booked them an apartment in the Vatican area. The teenagers were completely bored with the area and the adults found it was so far from the sights and sites they visited (except for the Vatican of course). They ended up not liking Rome and from all of their stories I am sure it was because of the location they stayed in, their TA obviously had never been to Rome was my thought. Sadly that turned out to be true.

SeaUrchin has spent a lot of time in Rome and she is a good friend of mine so I know her style of travelling etc., so my opinion is that her suggestions can be trusted if what she suggests appeals to you. Best regards.

hi goldtwins,

IMO the advantage of T'vere over the campo dei fiori area is that there are fewer non-locals about generally, which gives it a safer feel so far as teens are concerned.

when we rented an apartment in rome about 2 years ago, our kids were 15 & 18. we booked one in T'vere, but the agency had to cancel it at short notice and we ended up in the "monti" area - between the colosseum and via nazionale.

although it was a bit far from the centro storico, it was still well positioned, there were lots of buses, and we had no qualms about the kids going out by themselves - in fact our 15 year old made it his job to go out every morning to buy the breakfast. [good lad - our apartment was at the top of 81 steps!]

we used www.rome-accom.com. I like their web-site as you can select for position, no. of bedrooms, and date, all at the same time.

I would definitely agree with others that the Vatican area is not a good place to stay, especially with teens.

hope this helps,

regards, ann

We recently stayed in the Piazza Navona area, and it was lively but touristy, with easy access to the big tourist sites. But, I much preferred the Trastevere area, and if we return, that is where we will stay. The walk to historic Rome is certainly longer, but also certainly doable. I believe the northern end of Trastevere would be best - more active, and closer in. You should check out Franco's thread about where to stay in Rome - I think you will find links to many apartments.

I've only heard negatives about staying in the Vatican area.

If you look at a map of Rome the triangle between the Vatican, the colissieum, and the Termini train station (about 2 miles on each side) is the area you will spend most of your time is. If you are close to the Vatican in Tratevere you will not be too far out.

In September we have booked the San Fransesco 2 bedroom apartment in Trastevere. Have a look at it on Holiday Velvet. They are a very professional company to deal with. Good luck!

http://www.romanreference.com/
http://www.romanreference.com/appartamento.php?refid=371


Our apartment in Trastevere, Rome was offered by Roman Reference #371 LARGO ANZANI 50sq.mts., set on the first floor. Central heating, phone (only receiving), wm, tv, a/c, elevator, balcony. Nice one bedroom with a pull out sofa in the living room. The table with chairs, full kitchen, and bath with shower were perfect for three people!

Ad reads: TRASTEVERE - LARGO ANZANI
Nearby Porta Portese market (sundays mornings only), 15 minute walk from Piazza S. Maria in Trastevere, nearby tram #8 riding every 3min. to Largo di Torre Argentina (Pantheon, Navona, Campo de' Fiori);

Two summers ago (during the World Cup) we traveled with 3 teenage boys to Rome and Venice and rented an apt just off Campo de Fiori. They were able to go by themselves in the evening. It was safe. There are lots of casual places to eat and it is central enough to come back to during the day. We would also consider Piazza Navonna. Trastevere and the Vatican area are very nice but I think that you will spend a lot of time back and forth over the river.

Thanks. I'm trying to find something in the Campo Fiori or Piazza Novonna area for just the reasons you gave. o you remember who you rented from or specifics about your apt?

We visited Italy last summer with our 2 sons 22 and 20. In Rome we stayed at Hotel Santa Prisca, just across the River from Trastevere near Priamide. It was a good location for us, very near the train station, bus stop across the street, and neighborhood resturants and shops. Honestly our boys were so tired at the end of the day, they never went out at night! Remember dinner in Italy takes a few hours and usually ends at 9 or 10 pm.They were invited to the clubs by young people, but opted for a good nights sleep. We did everything we could in 5 days and used the bus and train everyday. It was great, they loved it and so did we!

We loved the Trastevere area and saw plenty of young people in the restaurants and bars. That said, we stayed at the Hotel San Francesco, so that was our 'neighbourhood'. I'm not sure how big Trastevere is or where your apartment might be located.

We just hopped on the trolley into the historic centre of town (about 4 stops) and sometimes walked. Only on the rare occassion did we take a cab back to the hotel at the end of the day, and that was just because we were too pooped!

Goldtwins,

You might want to check out this thread. http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2&tid=35120238

Others have told me they were very happy staying in Trastavere, especially with older kids, but we had a young child and wanted to minimize walking (and we were really happy with being near Campo de Fiori).

While in Rome over New Year's we stayed in an apartment in the Piazza Navona area. We found this location to be perfectly located within walking distance of everything. Didn't get to the Trastevere area. But if in the Piazza Navona area you HAVE to check out The Abbey Theater, a little Irish bar that is one of the best I have EVER been in. We met some of the nicest people from all over the world in this one little spot. The bartenders and clientele here totally made the whole trip to Rome memorable. Can't wait to go back..

If I'm not too late to chime in -

The Vatican area really is not as bad as one might think. We had no choice 2 years ago but to stay at the St Peter's Crowne Plaza - the neighborhood was very quiet and a 10 minute bus ride further than the Vatican.

We easily transfered at the Vatican for a quick 5 minute ride into the center of the city each day.

I am booking today an apartment with Realrome in the Vatican neighborhood - the prices are good at 120E compared to the 250E we paid 2 years ago and farther from the center.

Peace, Lily

On our first trip to Rome we stayed very close to the Vatican. While we still walked everywhere, it was so far removed from the "vibe" of the city center that I would not consider staying in that area again. On our last trip, we rented an apt just outside of Campo dei Fiori from www.sleepinitaly.com and absolutely loved it. Trastevere is a great, slightly bohemian part of the city that your teens would enjoy, I believe.

I always stay in the area of the Vatican there are several places on the via Cavalleggeri, via delle Fomaci and near station san pietro. Most start around 80e for apartments that sleep 4. some are small, some are much larger you have to shop around. You want to stay in the general area between the start of the Via Aurelia and the river as that way you can hop right on the bus and be across the river in less than 10min.
All of the posters are correct, most of the sites are on the other side of the river. However I like staying in a more neighborhood type area where you can shop in the small stores, bank is right there, hardware stores etc. enjoy stroll in the evening.
Its a matter of what you like and what you want to pay and of course how you feel about taking the bus to some sites. Many you can walk to.

I have used www.summerinitaly.com for all my Italian vacations. I'm so happy with them that I would recommend them everywhere. Thay have many apartments in the centre of Rome, near Trastevere which is not far at all from the old town centre. I'd suggest to stay near Via S.Francesco a Ripa, Piazza di S.Egidio, Via Cardinale Merry del Val, via Garibaldi... very close to restaurants and pubs, but not as touristy as Via della Lungaretta, for example.

Hope it helps!

Enjoy Italy and have fun,

Valeria.