goldtwins

We're taking my teenage sons to Italy for the first time in August - we have 4 nights in Rome before we take the train to Sorrento/Pompeii/Amalfi. I've been looking at apts and found many in Trastevere and in Vatican area. They're lovely and the neighborhoods seem more local than touristy but they also seem a bit far if we're coming into the major sites every day. Are there particular streets/areas of these neighborhoods that would be better than others?

Any thoughts? I'm looking for 2 BR with full kitchen and a/c and sat/cable TV larger than 75 sq meters. If you have any recommendations.

swisshiker

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!

swisshiker

Sorry. That link is wrong.

It should be:

sleepinitaly.com

J62

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

adrienne

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.

shelly_m

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.

eliza3

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.

SeaUrchin

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.

MomDDTravel

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.

MomDDTravel

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.

shelly_m

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.

eleanorw

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

LoveItaly

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.

annhig

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

butnotrmpt

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.

AisleSeat

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.

Peteralan

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!

mikeinfwtx

http://www.romanreference.com/
http://www.romanreference.com/appart....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);

meath1

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.

goldtwins

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?