fitznj

Going to Florence for ten days with a friend whose child is studying there. We are also celebrating our 50th bdays. We were thinking an apartment might be better than two hotel rooms. I have looked at cyberrentals and vrbo. Seems there are many choices and we are overwhelmed. The daughter is living near the Duomo and we'd like to be near her if possible. Any suggestions on apartment rentals (2 bedrooms, can share bath)?

Also on Florence, we'd like to rent a car for a few days to go to Siena, Cinque Terre, and possibly Assisi. Should we do this from the US or can we rent when we get there?

Then, I go to Rome on my own for four nights. This is my 5th visit to the city but first alone. I usually stay in the Via Veneto area b/c my husband likes the Borghese Gardens. Now I am thinking of the Vatican area as I'd like to be able to go to St. Peter's every day. I also want to see the Church of the Gesu, take the Borghese Museum tour, and I will do the Scavi tour. Can people recommend a hotel in the Vatican area where I will be comfortable alone and where walking in the area will feel safe? I am from NY City so I like cities and know my way around Rome fairly well. The only thing that worries me a little is dining out alone every evening.

Thanks for any suggestions and help.

sandi_travelnut

An area like Campo dei Fiori is a nice central location, easy walking distance to the Vatican and a great neighborhood. It's also easy to get to the ghetto and to the church.
Are you thinking of staying in an apt while in Rome also? My husband and I rented one from Sleep In Italy in that are last year and loved it. Let me know if you're interested.

Mimar

For apartments in Florence, look at www.slowtrav.com. There travelers review apartments (and villas) and also report on their experiences with rental agencies. I'm more comfortable renting through an agency and using a credit card. However, vrbo offers a form of insurance now and some owners accept credit cards.

But you have an advantage in having someone on the spot. Once you narrow down your options, your friend's daughter could check them out and report back.

You definitely need to reserve a rental car from the US before you go. However, Florence does not make a good center for driving trips. In the center -- near the Duomo -- only locals can drive and park. Also driving in and out from the Centro Storico repeatedly would be tedious.

It's easy to take a bus to Siena; the bus leaves from near the main train station in Florence and drops you in the center of medieval Siena. Whereas the train to Siena stops outside the walls, and it's a bit of a trek - or a taxi - to get inside the old town.

But the train would be better for the Cinque Terre. There are a few parking lots up high on the hills above the towns. But frequent trains and, in season, boats run between the towns.

Assisi is also reachable by train. So unless you want to drive around enjoying the beautiful Tuscan/Umbrian countryside and stopping in small towns, you don't need a car.

fitznj

Thanks for the advice. I was thinking maybe we don't need a car and could train everywhere we wish to visit in Tuscany.

Would go for a hotel in Rome. Is the Vatican area too quiet at night?

kybourbon

I agree with Mimar about the car rental since you can't drive in Siena center, Florence center or Cinque Terre and parking is difficult and expensive. The bus to Siena takes about an hour and the cost is 6.8€ each way. They run often (hourly?)except for Sundays.

CKgirl

My husband and I stayed in the Prato section of Rome in "06. It was within a 20 minute walk to the Vatican and about 15 minutes to other major areas. The hotel was the "Dei Mellini " on Via Muzio Clementi, near Piazza Cavour.I would not classify it as a budget choice but we found it a safe area. The Carabinieri barracks was in the next block.There was an ATM at the end of the street. The hotel was very nice and seem to attract a lot of people traveling on business. Within a short walk,there were several nice restaurants, a small grocery store, and Via Cola di Rienzo, a nice shopping area. There are some "bus tour" hotels nearby(the Cicerone,for one)I would be happy to give you some restaurant recommendations for that area if it interests you. I think the Prato area is more residential than other areas of the city.

charnees

We stayed here in Rome in May:
http://www.sleepinitaly.com/files/apt_giulia-gold.html

It really is as advertised, although it is not 50 meters from the Campo -- more like 500. But it is on a quiet upscale street known for antique stores, and is equally distant from Castel Sant'Angelo (and the Vatican) and the Campo. Two blocks away on the Corso Vittorio Emmanuelle are tons of buses, a small grocery store, inexpensive restaurant, coffee bar, etc. You can see my review of it on slowtrav.com, which someone else mentioned.

charnees

I forgot to say the apartment is at 98 Via Giulia in Rome. You can Google it and see where it is located.