My husband and I (age 30)are going to Italy for 2 weeks in July. We're spending our 1st 5 nights in Rome and moving on from there (Florence, Venice, and then Milan.) I'm trying to find a nice hotel for Rome and am leaning toward the Hotel Pantheon - has anyone stayed there? Any other tips for Rome from anyone who has been there recently, or especially in July? How should we get to the hotel from the airport- will cabs be waiting there?<BR>Any advice you can offered would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!!

Yes there are taxis at the airport although I understand they are expensive around $55 into the city, plus luggage costs. We stay at the Alimandi and they have a shuttle service. Or, if we stay elsewhere we buy train tickets at the tabacchi shop next to the tracks--watch the signs in the terminal to the train. The cost is around $11 or so. The train ride into Rome is about 30 minutes. You can get a taxi at the train station there to take you to your hotel. M.

Hi Laura<BR>When you are waiting to collect your luggage in Rome airport you will see a sign "All roads lead to Rome but be careful what means you use" or something like that. This is because there are what are called "abusivo" taxis that are not regulated. These are also at the train station in Rome.<BR><BR>If you take a taxi make sure you get into a licenced taxi with a metre. Take his number (incase you have reason to dispute the price, or leave something behind) and relax!

I peeked at the Hotel Pantheon and it looked very nice. The location can't be beat. We stayed at the Santa Chiara around the corner and were very pleased also.<BR><BR>This was April 01 and the cabfare from the airport was 80,000 lire ($40) exactly, with the official yellow and white cabs that are lined up outside of baggage claim (just like every other major city - you go to the first one in line).. It all seemed very simple to me. The taxi we later took from the hotel to the Termini was 25,000 lire (about $12.50). Of course we probably paid a premium because we had it called to our hotel. I just can' make sense of the train/cab combination either in terms of cost or convenience when you have 2 or more in your party.<BR><BR>Note: we were warned against the unofficial taxis and sure enough a man dressed in a nice suit grabbed our attention inside the baggage claim area and tried to escort us to his taxi that was waiting. My husband just followed him and he kept trying to take my bag for me. He quoted 90,000 lire which I knew was too high and his car was nice, but not an official cab. I finally just told my husband that we were not going with him. I wasn't going to get huckstered in my very first hour in Italy.

Hello Laura,<BR><BR>I think you'll get the best rate by pre-booking. Limoservicerome, for example, quote 37 EUROS from FCO to town.<BR>www.limoservicerome.com<BR><BR>Hope this helps ...<BR><BR>Steve

Good woman Leslie<BR>Some charge a lot more than 90,000 lire. <BR>You had been warned and had a choice - I feel very sorry for those who are more vulnerable.<BR>The daughter of a friend of mine was charged 150,000 lire just before Christmas - it was her first time in Italy.

Thanks for the advice- Am still a little uncertain about traveling between cities - some people on this site are recommending Eurostar- (is that the high speed train?) - and have warnings about people possibly stealing your luggage as they are getting off the train- and to maybe bring some type of cord and padlock- this seems kind of ridiculous- is there a better/safer way to get around? Should we book some type of first class seats- would that have more room for luggage? Anyone know how long it takes to get from Rome to Florence by this high speed train?

Laura<BR>I have long files on Rome, Florence, and Venice; if you'd like to see them, email me.<BR><BR>If you luggage is too much or you are too tired to do the train to the train station and then a taxi from there, I recommend that a car service meet you at the Rome airport. They can meet you just outside the baggage claim area. I used euroservice (they have a website) but there are many.<BR><BR>I stayed in the Pantheon area myself last fall, and liked the area very much.<BR>I also stayed at the Santa Chiara which was a great little hotel.

Laura: The Eurostar between Rome and Florence takes an hour or so and is nonstop. There are areas at the end of each car for luggage. When we get on the train (pack light; schlepping suitcases up the steps is easier the less they weigh) I go find our seats and arrange our tote bags (overhead in racks or by my feet) and my husband stays with the luggage until we leave the station. We try to get back to the area a little ahead of arrival to prepare to get our luggage and get off.<BR><BR>Nothing to worry about. You'll do fine. Incidentally, be sure to validate your tickets in the machine provided by the tracks.<BR><BR>j

Stayed at the Hotel Regno on Via del Corso, Rome in November. Location is excellentand staff very helpful. All major bus lines right outside the door. It is about three or four blocks to the Pantheon and 2 blocks to Trevi fountain. It is also right around the corner from the Hotel Santa Chiara. The website is: www.hotelregno.com<BR><BR>Just make sure you have a room on the lower floors--the two on the 6th floor have not been remodeled.

Laura:<BR><BR>Eurostar is the quickest & more comfortable train. Rome-Florence run actually takes 1 hour, 30 minutes. If you'd like to check train schedules, can do so on www.trenitalia.com (or also accessible via www.fs-on-line.com). I don't recall a significant difference in luggage storage space between the first & second class cars; however often suggest folks opt for 1st class as they're it's usually less crowded. As Joanne said, you do have to drag the bags on train yourself (up a couple steps) and so, packaging light is most helpful. Have seen comments re: issue around bag security. In my several visits to Italy, I've never had a problem.

July in Rome will be hot. Prepare for it and be sure your hotel has air conditioning.<BR><BR>Take a bus tour of the area to get acquainted with all the things there are to see. AmEx has some good half day and full day tours in English that we enjoyed as do other companies. Then you can return to areas you want to spend more time at.<BR><BR>Watch at all times for pickpockets. If you see a young girl nursing a baby asking for money she is a pickpocket. I cannot stress this warning enough. These people are good. You and your spouse should carry separate credit cards so if they nail one of you the other card will still be good.<BR><BR>The subway is good for getting around the town and you should learn how to use it as the traffic for cabs can be bad.<BR><BR>No shorts in the Vatican regardless of heat. I tried in 101 degrees and failed. Had to purchase paper pants at the Catholic book store with ROMA on the leg to get in. $12.00. My wife still laughs at that one.<BR><BR>Great shopping streets are around the Spanish Steps.<BR><BR>You have to try to make it to the very top of St Peters. The view is awesome. We did not do this on our first trip in our early 20s and then did it in our 50s. Should have done it in our 20s! <BR><BR>Great City! Enjoy!