Hi All-

Planning a last minute decision trip to my favorite country for June 2009. Have not been to Italy in almost 25 years! I only have 4 full days in Rome and want to make the absolute best use of my time. I plan to rent a car, and am considering staying at the Residenza D Epoca Pietra di Ponentee in Ciampino due to the reviews. Wondered if it was safe for a woman traveling alone as it seems a bit remote. I also saw a good suggestion for a rental car website (inexpensive prices) on the forum recently, but forgot to make note of it and can not find it now. Seemed to have a short domain name...

Can't decide if I will have time to see all the high points in Rome AND try a day trip to either Florence or Pompeii. Have always been fascinated by Pompeii, but have never been - have been to Florence, but failed to see David! I know...

I plan to go back over in a couple of years for maybe 2 weeks, but just in case...would like to do all I can this time without feeling like I am running myself ragged. I still want to soak it all in.

Thanks for any input!

Why would you not stay IN Rome with no car? I would stay in Rome w/o a car obviously and take a day to Ostia Antica instead.

Why rent a car? Definitely not recommended in Rome and you can take a train to Florence or Pompeii. Personally, with only four days, I would stay in Rome the entire time!

Hi OB,

With only 4 days to visit Rome, I would saty in Rome. I would not rent a car. I don't think that I would take a day away to visit Pompei. Florence is a doable day trip, and you can see David first thing.

I was thinking of the car as more a measure of control since I will be traveling alone. The considered hotel is 10 minutes south of Rome in Ciampino. I will be meeting a friend there who has a motorcycle if we decide to "drive" into Rome.

Has anyone heard if there are opportunities to help in the relief efforts around L'Aquila or is it too soon to know?

Thanks for the quick responses!

If you haven't been to Rome in 25 years and therefore haven't driven there in 25 years, don't think of having a car in downtown Rome as a convenience--you will be out of control. I'm unclear why you're choosing to stay way outside of town rather than stay someplace where you won't need a car.

control over what?

If you want to actually see Rome in 4 days

Pick a hotel around the Spanish Steps and do not rent a car...

www.hotelclub.com usually good values

www.ostia-antica.org best bet for intact ruins

You do not have time for much else...

For countryside tour stay in rural hotel rent a car...