franco

Johnmango, it's definitely possible. You just don't have to look at the standard tourist rentals - there's a separate long-term rentals market. Browse this site that's very good (though not very appealing, visually) IMO: http://classifieds.liveinrome.com/xz...ong_Term_Lets/
The "colourful 1 bedroom apartment" for example comes at just 1050 Euros per month - near Piazza Navona!

Johnmango

Thanks franco for the website!!

I had another post at Fodor Europe forum, asking for opionion on where to go next year, as I will have the opportunity to take a "sabbatical" leave from work for 1-2 month. My heart is set for Roma because there are so many things to do, and I would also like to take some more Italian classes (I just returned from a 2-week class at Michaelangelo Scuola in firenze).

What do you think would be an ideal place to stay as a base for 1-2 months? I have been to Milan and lake region, Florence, Venice, Cinque Terre, Amalfi Coast, Rome, but haven't been really to southern Italy or the east coast. I thought if I stay in Rome I can still take a 3-4 day side trip to Sicily or Puglia.

franco

Difficult to judge since I don't know anything about you and your likes/dislikes. But if your heart is already set for Rome, then I'm certainly not the person to talk you out of that. For me, Rome is the most gorgeous place on this whole planet. There's so incredibly much to see and do there, I think Rome must have as many first-rate sights as the entire small rest of the world (and that's only slightly exaggerated). Rome is really a universe apart, and to make things even better, and extremely likeable one: I've seen few places where people are typically as extraordinarily friendly and helpful as in Rome - for such a big city, this is almost outlandish. Be sure to check my "Roman sightseeing" thread (link in the 2nd posting on this thread) - if you stay one or two months, you'll really have time to see some of Rome's hidden treasures that few tourists ever discover!

lesvince05

Franco,
I just happened upon this thread and am wondering if you could recommend an apartment in Rome in a fairly central location that would be appropriate for my group of 4 adults and 2 small children,ages 2 and 3.5. Our trip to Italy is planned for early June 2010.We need something in a quite area that can be reached easily to and from the sights (back to apartment mid-day for children's naps)Air conditioning and a washing machine is a must. Budget of 200-250 euro per day (or a bit more)We will be in Rome 4 days, then a train to Florence and on to Tuscany countryside.

I have read that you prefer the Trastevere area. I don't enough about this area to determine if it will suit our needs. If you have no specific knowledge of particular apartments in a suitable area, perhaps you can recommend the area/location and I can see what I can find in those locations.

Thanks for all of the information that you provide.

Leslie

franco

Leslie, yes, Trastevere is of course meeting your requirements - part of Trastevere! (Please study thread above.) Likewise, the former Ghetto, the Pantheon neighbourhood or the area near Via Giulia. All information that is as general as you seem to need it right now is already on this thread. Please come back with specific questions as soon as you've chosen an array of apartments. I don't recommend accomodation that I don't know personally, but many recommendations are, again, already on this thread.

bxl4373

Franco, I have read your old reviews of apartments in the Piazza Navona area. We are traveling by train,bus only.I checked Via Panico and it is available for in May 2010. I also was looking at Piazza del Popolo B&B. I know it is a different area. Any thoughts? How hard will it be getting to them from FCO Airport? Thanks for any info you can provide.

bernie123

Hello,
Find your information really useful.
I will spend 5 days 4 nights in Rome in September.. and apparently it's already starting to be really difficult to find a budget apartment.
I am wondering if this location (Via Gregorio VII, St. Peter’s Square) is a good area. This will be my first time visiting Rome, and I will travel with three adults (two in their 50ish and one in the 20ish). We prefer somewhere with easy access to the must-see attractions in Rome.
Thank you very much.

franco

Oh my god, I actually can't believe it. I've answered this thread immediately after your question, bernie! I think it was the same day, perhaps the next... and now I chance upon this thread again, and my answer - isn't there!!! I hope it appeared at least for some time so that you could read it; but to be on the safe side, I'll repeat what I said more than one month ago, for what it's worth now:

bxl, if you're asking my opinion, I definitely prefer Via Panico. That's a great location (not really the Piazza Navona neighbourhood, actually, it's preferable to Piazza Navona - far more tranquil!). There's nothing wrong with Piazza del Popolo, though, I just don't like the area much, without being able to give a reasonable explanation.

bernie, Via Gregorio VII is the nightmare location par excellence. It's far from everything, it's near St. Peter's (please read aboved what I think about staying there), and what's the worst thing about it, Via Gregorio VII is a hell of car traffic: noise and emissions! I once stayed for a week in an apartment in that neighbourhood, on an extraordinarily tranquil side lane, though, but wouldn't stay there again even if the accomodation was free of charge. I lost two hours per day just because of this out-of-the-world apartment! And on Via Gregorio VII proper, I wouldn't stay if I got paid for it...

Again, sorry that my original posting disappeared, but I don't feel really guilty about it - I usually don't check after posting. And above all, I thought the new layout (that I still don't like much) would make sense at least insofar as those technical problems had come to an end now...

annhig

hi franco,

if you are still around I could do with some of your expert advice regarding the best area to rent in for a trip which includes [we hope] attending the italy-england rugby match at the stadio flaminio in February.

i was thinking that the piazza del popolo would be a good place to look as the line to the stadio seems to start there - also it's a new area of Rome for us so it will give us another experience.

OTOH, it's a realtively small part of a trip that we hope will last a week so perhaps we should ignore that factor completely. what do you think?

thanks, ann

franco

Ann, I'm currently on a holiday, hence my late reply, sorry... personally, I don't like the Piazza del Popolo neighbourhood very much, since I think it's spoiled by posh shopping and Fascist buildings. But traffic-wise, it's certainly ok (not just for the Stadio Flaminio!), and if you want to sample a new flavour of Rome, why not? As far as nice neighbourhoods, I'd almost advise you to have a look at the district north of Piazza del Popolo, towards Villa Borghese (I think the mainfare of the neighbourhood I'm thinking of is Via Po, but I'm currently without my Rome map, of course) - that's an upscale and nice residential area, but alas, not very practicable as far as public transport...

annhig

hi franco,

not a problem. we are still considering our options.

I think that I am leaning towards the piazza navonna area specifically via dei leutari as it is so convenient for getting around the rest of Rome.

enjoy your holiday!

regards, ann

Marianna

We enjoyed the Piazza Navona area. On past trips, we have stayed in other areas but this was the best. We stayed on via del Governo Vecchio and loved the location - lots of restaurants and cafes nearby and we were able to walk to all the sights we wanted to see.

Enjoy your trip, ann!

annhig

hi marianna,

thanks for that. i have been leaning towards the Paizza navona area, that is unitl I find yet another lovely apartment somewhere else.

that's the problem of booking early - too much choice.

2010

Hi! Franco:

Your name came up in a response to a question I posed recently about a Venice apartment. I followed the links & I found myself here!

I am wondering about the areas in which the following hotels are located for the first time visitor to Rome?

www.albergocesari.it

www.albergottocento.it

www.orologiobb.com

www.hotelartoriusrome.com

Many thanks for the useful information you have provided on this thread and on others. I appreciate the time & the knowledge you share with us. It is most helpful!

2010

franco

2010, for me, the choice is between Orologio and Cesari - both neighbourhoods have been discussed in full length on this thread, Orologio being west of Piazza Navona, and Cesari near the Pantheon. The Artorius location is not bad, either (near Quirinale), the fourth hotel, however, is on Via Veneto, so I strongly advise against it.

2010

Hi! Franco:

You have helped us greatly in our planning/selection process! The Orologio & Cesari will go on our list. I shall reread the discussions on this thread to get a better sense of where we would like to stay. Right now, I am leaning towards the area near the Pantheon.

Thank you!

annhig

if you don't mind me chiming in, Franco, I have only good things to say about the area we stayed in for the last week, being the tiny streets at the end castel san angelo end of the via coronari. 10 mins to Piazza Navona, 20 to Campo dei fiori, and St. Peter's plus every shop you could possibly need [and a few more] within 5-10 mins walk. very quiet, few tourists, great bus connections and terrific local restaurants.

franco

Fully agree, Ann. Wonderful neighbourhood - the same where the Orologio hotel is located, about which 2010 asked a few days ago.

Viajero2

Franco-- love your insights in Rome districts, BUT....if I had followed your advice to the T I would had missed staying at a GREAT apartment where I loved the neighborhood, exactly what I was looking for type of deal! I stayed last May off Via Mocenigo (perpendicular to Via Candia), about 3 minutes walk to the entrance Vatican Museums. I had two internet cafes across from me, three supermarkets, many restaurants, CIPRO (new) metro station about 10 minute walk, the outstanding Mercato Triunfale, and a self-laundry (priceless!) facility within very easy walking distance. Certainly not walking distance to the Colosseum, but certainly walking distance to Piazza Navona (20 relaxing minutes- walking route was a dream!).

Again, I think you are fantastic, but fellows-- let's once in while make our own minds!!!

annhig

of course, franco, you're right

- if I'd bothered to look at the [incomplete] website link, I'd have seen that the B&B Orologio is in via dei banchi nuovi, down which we walked a number of times in the last week.

I keep looking at the weather in Rome and comforting myself that it's raining there so trying not to miss it toooo much.