Going to Italy in October for 9 nights and plan to spend the last night in Rome.(neither one of us has ever been to Rome)We were thinking of dropping the car off at the airport and finding a hotel.(looking at a hotel near Piazza Navona) is this a doable thing? or should we just plan to stay at a hotel near the airport and forget about seeing alittle of Rome?? (flight is at 1pm)<BR>Any hotel suggestions?<BR>Thanks

Good evening, dgm<BR>Would suggest that you stay your last <BR>night in Rome, one hotel can suggest is<BR>the Santa Chiara, which is a three star<BR>located a half block south of the Rotunda and five minutes from the Pza<BR>Navona. Go into Yahoo and putin HOTEL<BR>SANTA CHJARA-ROME. You can make the<BR>airport in 30 mins by taxi from there<BR>getting you to the airport in time for<BR>your 1 pm flite. <BR>There is also a hotel at Fiumicino but<BR>not sure it is a Shearton or other chain.<BR>Also we have used the Parco Dei Medici<BR>Holiday Inn a couple of times in the past, it is about half way between Rome<BR>and the airport and did have bus that plys back and forth. We turned our cars<BR>into the airport, and took the bus to<BR>the hotel and return the next morning...<BR>Richard of LaGrange Park, Il...

Hi,<BR><BR>When are you arriving at the Rome airport? If you are arriving in the morning or early afternoon, it is worth dropping off the car and going into Rome, even for one night. Walking around at night is lovely and you can have a nice dinner. The fountains are all lit up and it will be so much nicer than staying at the airport. If you get into the airport late in the day, it will be too rush rush for me. Another idea is to drop the car off at the train station in Rome. Driving in Rome is not great, but I have done it several times. If you are nervous about traffic, forget it. The train ride between the airport and Rome is about 45 minutes to an hour. So, the day you leave you will have to be on the train by 10 a.m., meaning there will not be time to sight see in the morning.<BR><BR>Go for it. Have fun.

I agree, go for it. <BR><BR>The nonstop train from Termini (the central station in Rome) to the airport runs every half hour (at 21 minutes and 51 minutes after the hour) and and takes 32 minutes. I just took it yesterday so the schedule is fresh in my mind. The tracks for the airport train are very, very far away from the front of the station, so allow time to walk there, or if you take a cab to the station it can drop you off at a side entrance closer to the tracks.

I agree with Richard and Sue; spend the night in Rome. It is so pretty at night. I suggest you use www.limoservicerome.com for transportation to the airport. They are very reliable and less expensive than taxis. Have a great trip!

Don't know where else in Italy you plan to visit, but I cannot fathom going all that way and NOT seeing Rome. I'd re-think the itinerary and plan a few days in Rome. I guarantee that if you spend one evening there, you'll look at each other and ask, "Why didn't we spend more time here?" <BR><BR>The Albergo Santa Chiara is an excellent hotel recommendation. I was there in April. They serve a very nice breakfast buffet. It's in a great location. Here's my idea of how to spend that 1/2 day or evening:<BR><BR>Walk from your hotel to the Pantheon right near by (maybe having some Gelato at Giolittis, a few blocks off the Piazza della Rotonda. Then walk to the Piazza Venezia and view the stunning Monumento Vittorio Emanuale II. Walk around it to the right and up the wide steps to the piazza Campidoglio. While standing in the Campidoglio, facing the rear building, walk to left side of that building and look down over the Roman Forum. Continue down the steps, then right, viewing the Forum from street level (still on your right) and on ahead to the Coloseum. Then hop on the Metro and go to the Piazza di Spagna. Climb to the top, admire the view, then walk down the Via Condotti and make your way to the Fontana di Trevi. Throw in a coin and wish for a return visit to beautiful Roma. Then, walk on to the Piazza Navona for your dinner at Tre Scalini. Be sure to have their tartufo for desert. Then back to your hotel.<BR><BR>Next morning, after breakfast, take a peek into the church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, adjacent to your Hotel.<BR><BR>Cab fare to the Termini was 25,000 lire if you want to take the train to the airport. Cab fare straight from the aiport to the hotel was 80,000 lire for us (about $40).. With luggage and more than one person in your party, I'd take a cab or the limo service and not hassle the train.<BR><BR>Buon viaggio!

You can take a night tour of Rome. I recommend that. Get up early and at least visit St. Peter's. Rome is my favorite city in Italy.