Needed - Driver in Rome?
 

Hi Fodorites: This is or my mom's b-day and while she is in Rome I would like to hire her a driver for approx. 3 or 4 hrs. one evening to take her all around the main areas of Rome (at nite) and possibly narrate along the way! This person must be reliable, safe and most of al1, insured! The car must be air-conditioned and either a lmo or a town car. Thanks!

Hi travelbuff, I believe Statia who took her Mom to Rome hired a driver she was quite happy with.

Hopefully Statia will see your thread. In the meantime you might put Statia in the search box here on Fodor's and see if you can pull up her threads. If you can't..well the search box doesn't work very well.

What a lovely birthday present for your mother!!

I don;t think there are any Town Cars in Italy. The only limos I have seen in continental europe have been Mercedes (there may be others but that's all I've seen and I've been in many).

nytraveler - I heard their are mostly Mercedes which works fine too! But thanks for the info.

Stasia if you're out there, please give me the name of your driver!

Hi travelbuff, I emailed Statia this thread. But sometimes she is not available, travelling for work etc. But hopefully she will see it and consequently be able to help you.

Hi travelbuff. I hired Stefano of Rome Cabs numerous times when traveling with my mother in Rome. He was always courteous, professional, prompt, knowledgeable and so very patient with my mom's mobility issues. So, I highly recommend him. We used him for airport transfers and a couple of tours, one of which was an evening tour of the city. He has a very comfortable, air conditioned Mercedes van with large windows for seeing the sights. He was also allowed to drive directly up to most sights so it was very convenient. He was such a gem that even my mom said that he became like family while we were there. You can contact him thru his website at http://www.utenti.lycos.it/romecabs/

Please be sure to tell him I sent you. And, thanks to LoveItaly for emailing me this thread. :)

Statia - what would us Fodorites do without you! I'm e-mailing him now!!! Many many thanks!

Your welcome, travelbuff. :)

Bringing this back to the top for more help! Please fodorites - don't let me down. The clock is ticking!

travelbuff

Are you looking for more drivers, or other suggestions?

Other suggestions - the clock is ticking and I need to present her with something by Tuesday! HELP! HELP!! Thanks again too!

Ok. Where is her hotel? Can we get her a fabulous dinner in the area? And I'm shocked that they won't help you with a driver. Rome hotels almost always have a driver or two that they use for airport limo duty. Drat.

So, what about a great dinner?

How about this? For the right amount of money, they might arrange anything, but I am just guessing.

http://www.conciergeinrome.com/

Here's another:

http://www.conciergerome.com/

Here's a tour/limo with a toll free number:
http://www.romelimousines.com/

Stefano has replied Fodorites but he's EXPENSIVE! Anyone else have any suggestions?

If you think it's expensive for 3 or 4 hours, then just hire him for less time. Frankly, I would think 2 hours after dinner would be more than enough time to see the main sights. Besides, by that time, it would be close to midnight.

Travelbuff, in your other thread I believe you said cost wasn't a big issue. The links I gave you for a concierge service will probably be costly, although I've never used such a service.

Why not a nice dinner? Or buy her a walking tour. Try Context Rome; everyone seems to like them.

OK Guys - generally cost wouldn't be a factor, but I'm doing this solo so now I have to watch the pocket (so to speak). Besides, big ole Ma is hard to please. This is her thrid trip so I don't want to repeat anything either. I would tell you the name of her hotel (but she is on this website) however, it is within walking distance of the spanish steps. I like the idea of restaurants so please, something upscale, along the lines of Le Cirque! Thanks again to all of you - you're the best!

Statia - how did you secure Stefano - I'm close to an agreement! Help!

Try Sandro at [email protected] We used him last november and he was excellent.

Travelbuff, I've been following you through this adventure, and so I HAD to find this website for you. This is one of the best, the most lovely, tasty and sophisticated restaurants in Rome. NO tourists go there. It is classy and delicious. An easy walk to the Spanish Steps, straight down via Ripetta. You gotta send your mom here. The website is in Italian, but they speak English. You can call or email. Here you go:

http://www.portodiripetta.com/

I just emailed him, travelbuff. No deposit was necessary. We confirmed everything by email.

Statia - I was sitting quietly here in Australia and reading your comments about the Stefano and cars in Rome. I decided to contact him to sound him out and from one simple / short email I sent, he has take the trouble to respond with two pages (no paragraph breaks!!) including detailed links to a myriad of other sites of what he can show us. He is even going to pick us up from the airport. This is has been a great help and I do appreciate your advice and I thought I would pass it on - thanks - Ian

I'm so glad he is able to help you out, Ian. Yes, he's very helpful and reliable. Have a great trip and send him my regards. :)

Statia - Thanks again - I am working with him to secure a plan and date.

Tuscanlifeedit - thanks to you too for all of your input! Love your threads!!

Your welcome travelbuff. I'm into your mother's birthday! And even if you don't send her there, tell her to go and eat at Porto di Ripetta.

I like surprises. Good for you, and I think your mom is lucky. Mine's picky and hard to surprise. She complains a lot. One year we sent her a giant floral horse shoe, like Kentucky Derby winners get! She actually liked that.