My wife and I, 60 and 70, plan to meet German cousins, 72 and 77, to spend the last four days of March in the Infinity Hotel St. Peter, in Rome, a few hundred yards from the Vatican. We've all travelled a bit but have never been to Rome.

We would like to have a tiny taste of the so-called sweet life while lacking the big bucks to do it right. And we want to do whatever we can do sensibly, without rushing from one touristy sight to another. Our questions are:

1) What would be the recommended "sensible" way to get from Fiumicino Airport, with luggage, to our hotel, if not by taxi?

2) Is it "sensible" (or insane) for people our age, though reasonably fit for our ages, to think about walking from near the Vatican to most of the "standard" attractions, as opposed to fighting crowds and/or pickpockets on buses or in the metro?

3) Is there some "sensible" right way/wrong way, best time/worst time, to more fully appreciate walking through the streets, piazzas and important attractions of the eternal city? Again, we'd like to do things in a leisurely manner, taking time to smell the roses and to appreciate at least the mid-afternoon tiramisu and cappucino, if not the priciest cuisine.

Any advice along these lines would be sincerely appreciated!

The sensible thing to do is to arrange for an airport pickup so you and your luggage arrive at the hotel with the least amount of stress. I am not advising this because of pickpockets. I'm advising it because Rome is a very complicated city with very few street signs, and it could be hot or raining when you arrive, and you could be quite tired. Just arrange for a car pick up.

Given the location of your hotel, you can walk to many sights but it would be sensible for the 4 or you to either invest in money belts and learn to take the metro and use the buses to see the remainder of the "standard" attractions -- presuming you are including the Colosseum, Forum, perhaps the Villa Borghese, Campo de'Fiori and Trastevere. It is also good to learn about the routes of the buses that stop right near your hotel in case you get tired and don't feel like walking back.

However. with 4 of you, the cost of the occasional taxi is not likely to bend your budget entirely out of whack. It will only be a few euros apiece and well worth it if you are tired.

You will not fear pickpockets (who are a quite minor part of Rome's population) if you read up on how to secure your valuables on you with a money belt and do not walk around with valuables on you. There is plenty of advice about how to do this online and in guidebooks. Just follow it.

If anything, you find Romans are maddeningly slow walkers -- even those in their teens -- so you'll be more than welcome to lollygag and stroll as much as you want. It will keep you from looking like a tourist! The "best" way to appreciate Rome is not to make a long list of "MUST SEES" and then try to do it in 4 days. Pick one large thing to see in the morning and give yourself a rest. Maybe after lunch you will feel like stopping in a smaller sight, maybe you won't.

Rome is really an exceptional place, not because it has the Sistine Chapel, or the Pope, or the Forum (although these are pretty startling!) but because it has all these things but life goes on all around it and in spite of it, so rather than just sightsee, join in the life of Rome.

If you do a little research, you will find that the good life in Rome doesn't not need to cost a lot of money. Many things are free or low cost, and it is the Italian way to share with friends, not expensive treats, but time and conversations, enjoying a stroll or a piazza.

Just to add to sandralist's sensible advice, when it comes to dining, eating where Italians are eating is a good bet.

And...you could enjoy your 4 days in Rome by wandering. You will find ruins at every turn, and if you tire, you can pop into a church and rest a bit. While resting, you'll enjoy works of art,maybe a bit of music, then carry on.

As for your #3 question,if you're a morning person, that I find is a good time to wander about, with fewer crowds, and fewer cars and vespas.

You can definitely enjoy la dolce vita without spending a fortune. I wish you all a wonderful time! Wish I was tagging along.

I agree with everything sandralist has said. To best get around Rome, you will want to use public transportation. Your hotel is well situated for public transport; study a bit and you will be fine. We take buses and the Metro in Rome and do take precautions.

Do you have a food budget? There are many blogs and a few good apps for dining in Rome. We eat on what we consider a reasonable budget, but I can't quite suggest places without knowing your budget. Just let me say that we are not big spenders and we think we eat well in Italy. It helps that we don't drink, but house wine was the choice when one of us did.

A lot of Rome doesn't cost anything to see.

Ask the hotel about getting there reasonably. romeshuttlelimo.com and romecabs.com are often recommended here. I've used them both to get back to the airport. You can check tripadvisor.com for reviews.

Also do some research on a topic like Rome on a budget; there have to be internet articles and books that cover that. I think Rick Steves probably gives some budget advice for Rome in his book.

>>>1) What would be the recommended "sensible" way to get from Fiumicino Airport, with luggage, to our hotel, if not by taxi?<<<

You could take the Sit Bus Shuttle (5€) from the airport to Piazza Cavour stop. Your hotel is a 10-15 minute walk from there if that isn't too much for you.

>>>2) Is it "sensible" (or insane) for people our age, though reasonably fit for our ages, to think about walking from near the Vatican to most of the "standard" attractions, as opposed to fighting crowds and/or pickpockets on buses or in the metro?<<<

http://www.sitbusshuttle.com/en/

You will be able to walk a lot of places from your hotel, but you also might want to make use of the little electric buses that run through the center.

http://www.atac.roma.it/files/doc.asp?r=9

I think tuscan meant Rome Shuttle Limousine.

http://www.romeshuttlelimousine.com/...t-transfer.php

3) Is there some "sensible" right way/wrong way, best time/worst time, to more fully appreciate walking through the streets, piazzas and important attractions of the eternal city?

If you buy a day ticket for the bus (6€ also good for the metro/trams), you can make use of the electric buses as they pretty much hit most main sites. You can just hop off when you want, walk a while and catch the next one. Ride the entire routes of the 117 and 116 to get an overview.

I find the Lonely Planet website has a lot of budget info.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/italy/ro...g-there-around

I think you'll find that Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps are all very walkable from the Vatican area. The farther reaches might be better by public transportation as listed above (Borghese, Colloseum, etc.). I think you'll also find that you do not have to spend a lot of money to live the good life in Rome.

I didn't know about the SIT bus shuttle from the airport. Thanks for the link, kyb. It's always good to have options other than the Leonardo Express for us budget travelers.

I'm not sure why you decided to stay near the Vatican - since it's ob the opposite side of the river form most of the important sights. Rome is really a walking city - and if you stay in the historic center you will have easier walks to sights on BOTH sides of the river - and will spend less time on public transit (IMHO to be avoided in Rome).

Also be aware that March can be very pleasant - but can also be chilly/rainy so be sure you have an umbrella, rain jacket and at least a sweater for cooler days/evenings.

A world of thanks to all of you for offering your suggestions and admonitions! You've cleared some things up for me.