Caramia,

You'll find this link useful. It mentions your address and the caffe in your building!

http://www.lifeinitaly.com/tourism/lazio/Trastevere.asp

Here's a quote from it:

"For a cozy dinner visit Il Duca (Vicolo del Cinque, 56) where the wood-burning pizza oven and dark, rustic surroundings, not to mention the tasty pizza, will make you glad you came."

There are also recommendations for other pizzerias, shops, restaurants and caffes.

Hagan and (Caramia),
What a coincidence. I am also renting the same apartment in February. I have never stayed in Trastevere (usually we stay with a friend who lives near the Pantheon). We are excited to stay there because it is a very cool neighborhood and has great restaurants. There is a "Standa" store not too far - I think on Viale Trastevere (it is like KMart and has a food and household goods section) but it is also fun to shop at little specialty shops for foods and provisions. In the morning you can cross the river to the Campo Fiori and buy fresh produce and products in the outdoor market - a truly wonderful Italian experience.

Our family usually unpacks and if we're up to it we take a walk to get some air but if we're not we take a short nap because we find that we're too worn out if we don't. Then we wake take a nice walk and have dinner, followed by another walk and then go to bed.

On your first day you can walk over the bridge through and through the ghetto, pass by Largo di torre Argentino (ruins filled with cats), cross the street and make your way up to the Pantheon -then you can walk to Piazza Navona- or in the other direction to the Trevi Fountain. That is quite a site in the evening all lit up.

I happen to love the Knopf Mapguides. It is a city focused book that has opens up with maps of specific neighborhood and it is really easy to read- especially at night under a street lamp!

Not all shops are open on Sundays but many are and you can get some shopping in or atleast eye some stores that you want to go to the following day.

Hi - thanks for all the responses. Great ideas! I will actually be staying by the train station. (I have been told it's about a 10 min. walk to spanish steps.) I think it may be best to take a leisurely walk to spanish steps / trevi fountain - and have a nice dinner. Alternatively, Borgese gardens / gallery? Also, any suggestions for a Sunday night dinner? I think we may need reservations because many restaurants will be closed. Any thoughts appreciated!

Sorry to have mixed you two up. Caramia, I wouldn't recommend the Borghese for your first jet-lagged day, especially since you would need to make a reservation.

There is a wonderful restaurant called Fiore di Zucca near the Borghese gardens.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...ats/index.html

another good bet in your neighborhood is Margutta -- but it's vegetarian. Great though after a few days in rome and you feel stuffed!

http://www.deliciousitaly.com/ristor...p;regione_id=7

It's a lovely street worth a stroll all on its own. You may recognize it if you've ever seen Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn.

http://www.ilmargutta.it/margutta_en/index.php

By the way,, Il Margutta has a Sunday Brunch which might be a lovely introduction to sampling many delicious Italian creations at a reasonable price and soothing on the stomach after airplane food.

http://www.ilmargutta.it/margutta_en...&Itemid=27

If your have an early arrival time, then by all means go to Vatican Square and join the crowd waiting to see the Pope wave from the window. I believe thats at 11 AM. From there take a leisurly stroll around the square, perhaps walk over to Piazza Navona and grab a quick lunch at a cafe and then go to your hotel and catch a nap. The conceierge or front desk at your hotel will be able to confirm the time for the Pope.

I arrived on a Sunday on my last trip to Rome. After checking in at my convent near Piazza Spagna, I went to Villa Borghese to walk a little and relax. Then, I walked from Piazza del Popolo to Piazza Spagna and spent some time there before having dinner and going back to my convent.

It wasn't a long walk, and it was a great introduction to Rome. I also spent 5 nights, that's why I didn't want to do much that first day.

Most of the shops around Piazza Spagna were open. That was at the beginning of September, so I don't know if that has anything to do with it.

Buon giorno,
Go to Italy twice annually, this is my jet lag routine. Arrive at hotel from airport. Unpack, settle in, take a nice cool shower, go out and walk in the area for two or three hours, have a light dinner, walk for another hour and go to bed by 9:00PM. Get up next morning and you're ready to go. I never take a nap on the first day, just a shower and walk.
Ciao,
Alberto

Albert,

That's great, but many transatlantic travellers in Roma at 8am and are unable to get into their hotel room until noon or later.

Funnily, I think if I took a nice warm shower after a transatlantic flight, I'd go right to sleep!