Hello everyone,
My first time on Fodors and first time in Europe. Surprise anniversary present/vacation for my wife, so a few things were left last minute. We are traveling 04/27/11 to Paris and then to Venice, Verona and Florence, ending in Rome on 05/11/11. Traveling by car from Venice to Rome and I have lodging in Paris and Venice. It appears that there is a major conference in Rome on our visit so rooms are scarce. I'm looking for centrally located to the major attractions in Rome, not too expensive 90-130 euros, but clean, reputable, enjoyable, etc. It will be just for my wife and I, two adults( leaving the teenagers and toddler with grandma). We enjoy history, museums, people watching so Europe sounds like it's going to be the vacation of a lifetime. ps, my wife is Venezuelan and I'm from Florida, both in our 40's, active and looking forward to this trip, well I am as she doesn't know yet. It's gonna be great!! Thank you to the community for any recommendations, comments, assistance and such.
Paul

A couple of issues. With those cities and only two of you why use a car. Centrally located and inexpensive do not go together well. And you are going in four days and she doesn't know. No woman I know can possibly select clothes and pack in less than four days. We normally stay in the Termini area simply because of the convenient to local transit. Everything is walkable from there but on the edge of the tourists sites. The Aberdeen and Sonya are three stars but could be closer to 150E.

I know a little about women so she knows we are going on a trip, just not where. I gave her the climate and things she would require. This is her request for me to "surprise" her (she tends to be more assertive than me when it comes to travel). Thanks for the suggestions.

Try the Bee Hive Hotel:

http://www.the-beehive.com/

Your budget is on the low side for Rome, but try Hotel Julia.
http://www.hoteljulia.it/

You need to forget about the car and use the train. You are wanting to visit cities and most cities in Italy don't allow you to drive in the centers. You would have to arrange parking which can run about 30€ per day. While this article is about driving/fines in Florence, it's much the same for most other cities.
http://www.bella-toscana.com/traffic...ions_italy.htm

If you do rent a car, you need to get an IDP from AAA.

yes i would ditch the car Venice to Rome and just take the train....the Hotel Universo is walkable from the Termini Station in Rome ...if you are more adventurous..try the Hotel Santa Maria in Trastevere area...

Perhaps try

http://www.cross-pollinate.com/

some apartments should be within budget and availability is shown on the website

ok, so I'm going to ditch the car idea from Venice - Verona and Verona - Florence, but am going to rent from Florence to Rome as I do want to drive through the Tuscany region (her fav movie is under the Tuscan sun).

update; (fmpden) she knows we are going to Paris now, but not Italy.

thx kybourbon, I did get the IDP's for us.

be aware about 5th May in Rome: http://theendtimesarehere.com/tag/raffaele-bendandi/

Want to reconcile with God? here you have good website with Bible articles: www.likealittlechild.com

sorry, i mean 11th May

apoca guy or gal,

please check back with us on 12 May.

Not sure whether you are still looking for lodging in Rome. You might try a studio or one bedroom apartment through realrome.com--more affordable than hotels. The agency owner, Tim Pearson, is very pleasant.