I wouldn't waste an evening in Rome staying next to the airport. And the area near the Stazione Termini (where you catch to train to Florence/Firenze) is less interesting than the areas around the Campo dei Fiori or Piazza Navona. There you could stroll around enjoying the ambiance of Rome at night.

I'd take a train into Rome from FCO. This will give you a chance to get acquainted with the station -- and maybe even buy the train tickets. Then I'd take a taxi to your hotel. (The taxi line is to your right as you come out of the station's main entrance. Ignore anybody who comes up to you and offers a quick ride; just wait in the line.)

So where are you meeting your friends? At the train station?

I agree with Mimar. The area around the Stazione Termini may appear rather "seedy" and you may feel a bit imtimidated to walk some of the side streets alone, though there are some rather nice quaint B&B's and hotels nearby. If you do not have much time and wish to get a quick overview of the city for an inexpensive price, the "Ciao Roma" is a hop on-hop off guided tour bus. I took it my first trip to Rome and found it informative and helpful in deciding where I wanted to go out on my own. It is also located just outside the Termini.

Thanks Mimar and LuvLucy..I arr. 12pm, friends next day at 8am..we will meet at train station and on to FLR, then Tuscany and do Rome for few days before return states. Is there one main termini to FLR as it seems complex on the maps I looked at? Appreciate all input, feel like duck out of water and being alone - cautious.
Ciao.

Hi M,

The main terminUS in Florence is Santa Maria Novella.

If the question is, as I THINK, I am gathering, "what station will I leave from for Florence?" (Firenza-Santa Maria Novella train station) then the answer is Roma Termini and yes, it is the same staion that you and your friends will go to directly from the Rome(FCO)airport.

Also, I have some slight disagreement with the advice about the area near Termini station. I quite like the area on the side near the Opera which is 5 mins. walk from Termini...either the Hotel Sonya or Hotel Columba are decent, safe, clean and even have some charm. I met friends at the Sonya last year: we all had seperate departure points (Lanciano, Vancouver, Newfoundland and New Jersey). Like your group, we all met each other over a two day period at the train station, spent 1-2 nights in Rome and then off to a villa in Tuscany where we met the other 8 pals...loved it!!