We have found a bed and breakfast in Rome and have booked it. Now I have read here and elsewhere that you can not drive in some places in the center of old Rome. We are staying int he Piazzale Gregorio VII, I believe, across from the Vatican gates. Where should I put my rental car for the three nights we are here? Thanks in advance fodorites! <BR>Randy

"Parking" and "Rome" are two words which do not go together! Seriously, you're probably best off contacting the owner of the B&B and seeing if they have an arrangement for parking, for which privilege you should be prepared to pay.

Apparently there is a car park some blocks away. I was thinking of booking at a B&B somewhere just outside of Rome and taking the train in and leaving my car. I'll have to see if I can find an agreeable B&B owner. Thanks for the message, Paul.

Randy, <BR>I read all those posts warning about rome driving and did not pay attention to them because I planned on driving the car out of rome, and then drop off in Gaeta and train it back to rome at tail end of trip. <BR> <BR>Well, my goodfriend who joined us half -way through the trip was so impressed with my driving in Italy, she convinced me I COULD drive the car back into rome and drop it off. <BR>Well! <BR>Took us close to 2 hrs to get to the correct side of rome, we crossed the Tevere about 5 times, I stopped and asked for directions at least 6 times. <BR>At one point, I knew where we wer, and we were so close we could have walked to the hotel! <BR>BUT, I could not find a place to park. <BR>I was ready to abandon the car, and let "nature" take it's course. <BR>It all worked out in the end, but it was a big hassle to say the least. <BR>Find a place to park that Macchina, and take a cab to your B&B. <BR>Or better yet, un-rent the car while you are in Rome! <BR>Have fun. <BR>rome is "way cool" as my children said.

Thanks for the heads up, Nancy. Unfortunately I'm committed to a three week lease, through Renault. When we were driving in northern Italy we somehow ended up in Milan, during rush hour. It had been our intention to bypass the city, but we missed the turn-off for the ringroads. Did ok but I suspect Rome will be a tad more diificult then Milan. Oh well. I guess travel should be an adventure <BR>Randy

Save yourself some misery and take the Settebagni exit and follow the Via Salaria and park at the Villa Borghese under ground lot. Walk out and you are right at the stairs to go down to the subway--you can take it in your direction or turn left and you will be right at the Spanish steps where you can catch a cab and go right to you B.B. The lot is large and safe--all car rentals are located there. <BR>The faster you leave the car the happier you will be.

Sorry I mean turn right to the S. steps

Cheryl. <BR>Thankyou for the wonderful advice, I think that,that is exactly whatI will do. Do you know what the cost is. Thanks <BR>Randy

Randy <BR> I think the cost was about $15 u.s. a day. You may find cheaper but if you don't know where to go it can destroy your whole day. Look for the big blue signs with the large P. When you leave the lot you will find the booth to pay before you return to your car and leave. Then just walk down the steps-or moving steps-about 3-4-sets of long steps.and you end up in subway system.Remember where the entrance is on the square (S-S) it may come in handy when you want to return to explore the Spanish step area. <BR>Have fun