Okay I need advice. We are looking at going to Rome from May 29-June 7. I was going to do the week in Rome city stay with Globus. However, there flights were crappy, like changing planes 2x. I've looked around and found a price of $2,300.97 per person through expedia. This price includes air with one stop, hotel cesari with breakfast, transfers, and pre-travel insc. Is this a good deal? How centrally located is this hotel? We've never been to Rome and was a little nervous using expedia instead of a local travel agent? Has anyone used them to travel to Europe? We've used them for domestic and all was well. HELP PLEASE! I've got to let the travel agent know by tomorrow afternoon.

I haven't stayed at the hotel but the location is ideal.

Its right near the pantheon and the trevi fountain. I stayed in this area and found it perfect for wandering, sightseeing and eating.

First of all, we don't know where you are originating,so it is almost impossible to gauge how much the airfare should cost. Airfare from Juneau or El Paso might cost twice as much as from New York. I assume that this price is for two people, double occupancy.

Globus hotel is not a choice I would make; in fact, I would rate its location about tenth place in a contest of 10 areas in Rome.

That said, what this site is mostly about is doing this without paying that (considerable) premium for having someone "assemble" this for you.

Tell the travel agent you will pass, if you have looked around "our" world, enough to trust "us" to help you do this - - perhaps as much as $500-800 less - - and have a much better trip in the process.

Best wishes,

Rex

Whoa! Are we talking about te same place? It's near Policlinico - - http://www.globushotelrome.it/eng/cartina2.html

Or is there some other Globus hotel?

The Cesari is a great hotel in a perfect location. I cannot speak for Expedia, but love the hotel.

The globus hotel is Hotel Cierone(sp) it'a near the Vatican. We're flying from the midwest to Chicago to Rome so our air options are limited. I've spoken with our other travel agent she's semi-retired and she's going to help us. She told me the other one was let's just say not nice. She only looks out for herself. Thanks for your advice. I'm still wondering about this expedia package though.

Okay, I've told the travel agent to forget it. So where do I go from here? I'm a little unsure of doing this totally on my own since it's a new country for us. I'd love recommendations for air transfers to a hotel. The cheapest air I've found in our area is $2397 for both of us. I've tried to find the direct way to get in touch with the hotel cesari but can't find it. I still want to hear from anyone that's used expedia for international travel.
Thanks!

The Cesari is one of a large number of hotels throughout Rome (and many other places) that use "its page" on www.venere.com as its "own website" - - http://www.venere.it/it/roma/cesari - - though if memory serves me correctly, it may also have "its own" website separately as well. Either way, you can feel confident getting information from Venere, checking availavility/rates, booking your reservation - - and perhaps just as importantly cancelling, if necessary.

I think of purchasing air travel on expedia (or travelocity or orbitz) as so routine, I cannot cite you the specific details of which (international) tickets I have bought there, versus other sources (i.e., airlines own web sites, telephone, or through consolidators).

Two consolidators that I think will treat you right are

http://www.the-joy-of-travel.com - - ask for the owner "Gur" (yes, that's her first name), if you feel more comfortable talking to someone person-to-person over the phone

or

www.affordablepoland.com (aka Sophisticated Traveler, Inc.) - - not just for Poland, as the name might imply.

I still don't know where you are planning to originate, so I can't advise you on what fares to expect for late May.

What are you unsure about? Whether to trust Expedia? Generally, whenever I book online, I would also follow up with the airline and hotel directly to confirm the reservation, ask for non-smoking rooms etc...You can send an email to Cesari if you don't want to call Italy, search for Cesari rome. We stayed there last Sept the location was perfect and the room was pretty nice.

Did you try pricing this without a parckage. Check airfares on expedia. For hotels prices, you can also use expedia, but may want to try contacting the hotel directly (by email or phone), or booking sites like Venere. Most hotels include breakfast anyway.

Hotel Cesari is a good choice in a very good location. I think your package sounds reasonable for that time of year.