jeanm

I just rented an apartment for the Christmas period. I found the same apartment listed on multiple sites, all with different prices. I contacted the "owner" through VRBO (actually an agent), and he agreed to the lowest price, which was on another site. Just something to be aware of. We're staying for 2 weeks, and there was a 500 Euro difference in price.

It does take time; every now and then I thought "why don't I just book a darn hotel and get it over with?" But I think that it will be worth it.

jeanm

Day trips -- I think that the important thing to remember is that you don't have to decide until you get there! As I'm sure that you know, there are a number of useful posts about day trips from Rome. I'm thinking about Orvieto, which hadn't occurred to me before, because of the enthusiastic posts. My in-laws will be going to Florence, but I don't plan to send my particular teens (18 and 15) with them, because the art and architecture in Rome will more than fill my kids' quota. But that's my teens, not yours!

I'm excited about Ostia Antica. I thought that Pompeii and Herculaneum would be a definite part of the trip; then I started to read a post that went on for pages about the train transfer in Naples and thought "This sounds way too much like work." Someone else suggested hiring a car and driver -- maybe so, or maybe Ostia Antica will be sufficient for one trip. So, we'll play that as it lays. Am working hard not to "overplan" the trip, as would be my natural tendency!

Viajero2

jeanm-- I agree with your rec wholeheartedly. VRBO is dealing directly with the owner, which is such advantage to the customer. That said, there is no doubt, terrific rental agencies in Rome.

EyeMomm- the following apt have excellent reviews:

http://www.romanreference.com/appart...php?refid=138b

Viajero2

eye-- out of curiosity I googled mapped the apt reference above and I did not like what I saw on Google Mapas as far as neighborhood. Funny, because reviews on ths apartment are many and gushing about the neighborhood...????

eyemom84

I am reading your wonderful posts as I surf & take notes on the recommended sites.
Thank you everyone!

bardo1- apparently neither of those properties are available 12/25-1/2 so i am continuing the hunt, but thank you!

kybourbon

Viajero2 - I agree. When you click on the map for #138b it shows it's the other side of Termini (via di Porta Labicana) by the tracks, but if you click on the other link for a property with the same owners for #138, it shows a different apartment just down the street from the Colosseum (via Labicana). Two different streets, one by Termini and one by the Colosseum. It's possible the person that did the web page linked to the wrong google map if they are both located on via Labicana, not via di Porta Labicana.

Leely2

We (my mom, friend, her mom and I) stayed here the week of Christmas/New Year last year.

http://www.rentalinrome.com/bramante/bramante.htm

Great central location right behind Piazza Navona overlooking the Bramante chiostro. A classy but idiosyncratic apartment--not new, a bit tatty in spots, feels very old world, old Rome so you need to like that kind of ambience. It is BIG.

We used Rental in Rome and had no problems but dealt exclusively with the owners' representative, Charlotte Kirchgaesser, while there. She is very nice and I know she rents a few other apartments in town as well. This is her website:

http://www.lacasaroma.com/index.php

FYI, most apartments in Rome will have a 10-20% upcharge for that time period.

I have also rented from realrome.com and stayed in Albergo del Senato. Both very good experiences.

Enjoy your trip.

bardo1

Ahhh- your dates! That is a very popular time, in fact most places bump prices a little just for THAT PARTICULAR WEEK.

Here are some more 2BR 2BA (available on your dates) worth a look:

http://www.sleepinitaly.com/info-vac...d_appartam=108 (has elevator!) Piazza Navona area (MBR plus one teen on the sofabed & one in the single BR)


http://www.sleepinitaly.com/info-fal...id_appartam=31 Jewish Quarter, close to Campo dei Fiori (MBR plus one teen on the sofabed & one in the single BR)

http://www.sleepinitaly.com/info-cop...d_appartam=366 Pantheon area (MBR plus one teen on the sofabed & one in the single BR)

Not a lot out there for your dates, but don't give up!

bardo1

Leely,

What were the ceiling heights in the Bramante? I've actually considered it in the past. The photos make them look low?? (Our family are all over 6ft. tall). Love the location and spaciousness, but wouldn't want to bump our head!

Leely2

bardo1,
The ceilings are not at all low but some of the doorways are wee if that makes sense.

It is one of those places where you step up and down to get in and out of the various wings, rooms, nooks, crannies, etc. The doors to the bathrooms are little and old, if I remember correctly. And I am 5'8" and think I bumped myself walking out onto the terrace because the upstairs has a slightly slanted ceiling and then you step up to get outside. I might have had a bit of wine when that happened, though.

Perhaps you can see what I mean in this photo:

http://www.pbase.com/leelygoes/image/107854164

Also, it is on one of those medieval vicolos that some people might consider a bit creepy. I am accustomed to Roman alleys so it didn't bother me but of course we all like different things. I would definitely stay there again--lots of space and plenty of room for people to get away from each other if desired.

Viajero2

eye-- RE: Bardo1's suggestion on the sleepinitaly Falegnami Apt in Campo de Fiori--
Last May a Fodor's poster (Marigross) stayed in that apartment and commented on a smell of sewage in the small bedroom. They were lucky in that there were only 3 travelers and the third person opted for the sofa bed on the living room. They had to keep the small bedroom closed the whole stay. I would had walked away. Othwerwise, the comments on apt rental, agency, and the apt location were very good. Something to think about. This info goes back to May (late-early June 2009).

Vttraveler

We rented a 2 BR apartment in the ghetto neighborhood a few years ago through realrome.com. This is a wonderful part of the city, centrally located and quiet at night. We had a great experience with the agency. The owner, Tim Pearson, is very pleasant and helpful. The realrome listings tend to be less expensive than some of the others--we paid 115 euros/night for three people in February 2008.

My husband,then-16 year old son and I spent a week in Rome. We were very happy to have 2 BRs with no one on the sofa bed. My husband and I enjoy getting up early to go out and walk. Our son could sleep in and we didn't disturb him as we got our coffee and a quick breakfast and went out.

We had thought about taking several side trips but ended up going only to Ostia Antica because there is so much to do in Rome. (My husband and I had been there but our son never had, and had been lobbying us for several years to take the trip. His main interest was the ancient Roman ruins so we concentrated on those and skipped art museums other than the Vatican) Ostia Antica is a very easy day trip by train--really takes more like half to 3/4 of a day.

eyemom84

Vttraveler,
We have the same situation with our sons (we are early risers). At this point I think we are leaning toward staying in Rome the whole time since going to Florence on this short a trip would make us lose a full day to travel/packing.
Maybe I just want an excuse to go to Italy again!

sassy_cat

eyemom.. Florence is just an hour away on the train. It's easily done as a day trip if you want a change of pace from the the big city.

Vttraveler... Wow, I was nonplussed by the idea that you didn't want to disturb your sleeping teenage son so avoided an apartment with a sofa bed! Our son could sleep on the floor and a bomb going off would not disturb him before noon. Must admit once upon a time we tip toed around his crib many years ago and the contrast is staggering.....how they change

Vttraveler

Sassy cat--Well it wasn't just that we didn't want to disturb him. we also wanted to be able to use the kitchen and lounge area in the mornings w/o having someone sleeping in the middle of it.

Vttraveler

eyemom--Florence is considered a doable day trip from Rome. it certainly is in terms of travel time and you could create a good itinerary that would hit some of the high points, then plan on that next excuse to go back for a longer visit there.

eyemom84

After much huffing and puffing, and looking through apartment rentals, DH and I decided that there were three reasons we should stay in a hotel this visit:

1. We manage a bit of Spanish and French between the 4 of us but do not speak Italian (yes, I am working on rudimentary phrases).
2. Our teens have never been to europe.
3. The last time we were in Rome, in 1985, it snowed – a foot.

I made reservations at the Albergo Cesari, Via Di Pietra 89 A. I think it is in the Pantheon area? My parents stayed there several years ago (so I thought it a safe bet) and we were able to stay within our budget.
Have any of you been there?

I have loved the hunt and looking at apartments made me even more excited about this trip. Thank you to everyone for your help.

ellenem

Albergo Cesari is a great location and a good choice.

bouradly

I just came back and I stayed at the Albergo Cesari. Excellent location, very good price, clean rooms. Only had one issue and this could be a major one for some people...the walls are paper thin and you could hear your neighbors carry on full conversations, using the bathroom, etc. I was just waiting for the elevator and I could hear someone whistling Bizet's Carmen while taking a shower.

eyemom84

bouradly,
hmmm, i guess we will need earplugs, a white noise machine, or......louder singing voices. thanks for the "heads up" !