Eloise

About the lines into St. Peter's Basilica: When I was there in May, they were endless. I think -- but I am not sure -- that the lines were of people wishing to view the tomb of John Paul II. But the only way into the Basilica itself seemed to be on exiting from the papal grotto where the tomb is.

I got into the Basilica without standing in line because the exit from the Scavi tour I took was also in the papal grotto, about 20 feet from John Paul II's tomb.

If the Vatican is of great interest to your husband, have you considered a Scavi tour, the tour of the excavations under St. Peter's Basilica? They have to be booked well in advance:

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/in...040112_en.html

faredolce

<The B&B concept appeals strongly to my husband as that is our prefered choice in the US, France and Great Britain where most of our travels have taken us.>

I just don't think there are any stellar B&B's in Rome. In Italy, the standard is the agritourismo in the countryside (more like a B&B, but a different experience altogether in that they are farms), and hotels. I looked and looked, and never really found a great B&B option in Rome. I did wind up staying in a B&B, as mentioned, the Pantheon View, and I liked it, but the funny thing is, there was no human contact there at all!! I saw the operator when I checked in, and when I checked out.

For what you are describing, a hotel with an emphasis on a warm, friendly and helpful front desk will give you the best overall experience.

DeborahAnn

Thanks for the continued comments on Rome hotels and the Vatican. I will be able to focus on what to see, when and how as soon as I find the "roof for our heads". Faredolce, I have sent an email to Hotel Arenula, it does look like a hotel we would enjoy. When we stay in Paris we do stay in hotels so we don't purposely avoid them. I am sorry if I gave you that impression. The Arenula looks like a great location, in the middle of everything a first time visitor would want to see. Having, I think, 50 rooms I would hope they have a room for us in November. Thanks for all the helpful comments. Deborah

faredolce

Deborah,
Just want to make sure you know, Arenula does not have an elevator! Check out what is said about them on Trip Advisor:
http://rome-hotels.tripadvisor.com/H...ome_Lazio.html

The Teatro di Pompeo is very well-reviewed there as well; some posters from Slowtrav.com recommend it as well:
http://rome-hotels.tripadvisor.com/H...ome_Lazio.html

I hope you have a wonderful trip!

Suki

Well, I will jump in here and make a suggestion as well. We stayed at Canali ai Coronari last March. The location was terrific, just off of Piazza Navona. The walk to the Vatican was about 15 minutes and it was a pleasant walk. Walking to the Pantheon took a similar amount of time. The rooms were clean and comfortable, the breakfast was good, and the price was right especially for that location. Have fun doing your research!

DeborahAnn

Don't you just love Fodor's travel talk!!! After reading all the great suggestions here I am ready to throw caution to the wind. I am trying to coax my husband away from the B&B concept all the way over to considering an apartment while I wait to hear from the hotels that I've sent inquiries by email.

Now my question is.... because it is our first time in Italy/Rome should we avoid staying in an apartment because we are novices to the county. I love the seredipitous things travel throws my way but should I wait to see how we "take" to Rome before trying an apartment stay?

Thanks for everyones suggestions and most of all for your patience. Wait until you get my questions about the restaurant protocol that is unfamiliar to me Deborah

DeborahAnn

phooey, I knew I was going to misspell serendipitous Deborah

Eloise

I don't think you misspelled "serendipitous"; I think you made a typo...

In reply to your question about hotel or apartment: Very many people here -- and many more at www.slowtrav.com (which you might have a look at if you haven't already; there is a great deal of very useful information about Italy there) -- prefer staying in apartments when possible, but I would perhaps not suggest it for a first visit. It's a little easier if you have hotel staff to turn to for information, can eat in restaurants where there will almost always be someone who understands and speaks some English, do not have to cope with buying food and other necessary items in a place with which you are not familiar, etc.

DeborahAnn

Eloise, my thanks and compliments for your answer to my question. Now using your advice and others from Fodors I am sure my husband and I will have a wonderful introduction to Rome. Thanks again, Deborah

sandi_travelnut

Deb, when I was researching my first trip to Rome in 2000 I thought the exaxt same thing. I thought we should stay close to the Vatican so we could get to the line early and miss the crowds. While getting there early did get us into the Sistine Chapel before the huge crowds it turned out to be an inconvenience for most of the other things we wanted to see. Don't get me wrong, you can still walk to practically everything but after staying last time by Piazza Navona it make a world of difference to be more centrally located.

DeborahAnn

Sandi, thanks for the reinforcing comment. I have just sent an email to Hotel Arenula, as brought to my attention by faredolce. Trip Advisor reviewers give the hotel extremely positive comments about location so I think my plans for Rome are off to a great start. Thanks everyone, Deborah