risab

The apartment is close to the Campo but not "on the Campo" it is off of Via Giubonarri. It is quiet and "very" safe. You could not be in a better location - please believe me on this! And as far as safety the teens will be fine going out at night. They are close to Trastevere, Piaza Navonaa, and Pantheon - great areas for the teens to walk and hang out. When my daughter was 15 we took her and her boyfriend with us and felt perfectly fine with them going out in the evening. Give them a cell phone so you can stay in touch and a small guide book like Knopf Mapguide Rome (section by section street maps)it's small and can fit in someone's purse and is good guide- my daughter liked this book. But Rome is quite safe -even walking late at night. My daughter and I often walked home after mid-night and never felt any problem. Remember- Rome is filled with Piazzas and outdoor restaurants & cafes - it is city but it is all about being outside!

The apartment has a sofa bed (never used it) and a small bed in the side room. Didn't use that either. The small room is adequate for one person -it is just a bed and an armoire. The only thing I'd be concerned about is that I noticed the extra pillow was not that great and didn't smell fresh. So you might want to make sure they give you clean sheets and blanket for that bed and/or provide bedding if you use the sofa bed.

As for changing apartments. I would not want to stay with 8 people in an apartment in Rome unless it was huge and had two bathrooms with two great seperate water heaters. If you are going in summer then hot water for showers may not be an issue but I have stayed in apartments where hot water runs out after the first shower and when it is cool out that is not fun for a lot of people who need to bath. Monte Pieti had plenty of hot water for our showers - it was great. Even if you love the other family it may be too close for comfort with that many people.

Hope this was helpful. You and the kids are going to have an amazing time...

excited_confused

Risab, thanks so much for the prompt reply, it really was a big help since I was getting quite nervous about the area. Also, I wanted to make sure the bed in the 2nd BR is a proper single bed & not just a chair that opens out. DS will be using the sofa bed in the living room. I will make sure to check the pillows, blankets when the person lets us in, thanks for the tip. If luggage was not such an issue, I would just carry an extra one with me! I did see consider some 2 BR apts as well but somehow liked the look of this one & having multiple positive reviews certainly helps.
I totally agree about the "maybe being too close for comfort" but since these friends planned the trip only because we were going & we are staying in different hotels in Venice anyway, I thought maybe sharing an apt in Rome would be the thing to do. Your comments reinforce my feelings & make me feel a lot better about sticking to my plans!
I think we will have to plan dinners in advance to get reservations for 8. Please feel free to suggest any low to mid priced restaurants you think may be an option for 8 since I have heard that many restaurants are really small.
If you don't mind, what was the price range of the glass earrings? DD needs to shop in every place we go to so want to steer her towards a few known stores rather than stopping at every interesting store she sees. She loves jewelery, earrings in particular. I was also planning a trip to the flea market in Trastavere on Sunday.
Congratulations on your anniversary, this trip is supposed to be for our 25th too except that it is in Aug & everyone talked me out of a trip in Aug. I am sure it will be a different experience without the kids!
Thanks again.

Leely2

excited-confused, just to reinforce Risa's comments about the Campo--it's really not bad, not a big deal, anything. I have stayed right by there numerous times and have never felt unsafe. Once I was woken up in the middle of the night by noise from revelers departing bars. I put some earplugs in and fell back asleep. That's it!

Risa, have a great return to Italy. I was in Rome in late Decembar (also 5th trip) and am going to Paris in May. A big part of me is thinking "Darn, I should have gone back to Rome!"

risab

...Thanks everyone for the well wishes for my 25th and for this trip...yes, Roma is my "special place" (Jerusalem is my second favorite place)...and such history between the two!

Excited...The earrings were quite reaonable - about $34US. Her things were beautiful and rather reasonable.

Yes restaurants are small but many can still put tables together and service your group- they are accustomed to that and it is quite common to see groups of people dining out. But you may want to get reservations at restaurants since you have so many.

On Vicolo Del Cinque in Trastevere try Hostaria Pizzeria could accomodate 8 and they also have a restaurant right across the street- Hostaria del Moro very good, too.

Il Duca on Vicolo Del Cinque is also excellent and reasonable.

Favorite restaurant is Cul De Sac and it is very reasonable- but it can only accomodate four at a table. The food is amazing and they have a great wine selection but it fills up early.

You can also try the Insalata Ricci restaurnat next to Cul de Sac - great for Salads and other dishes. We are vegetarian so I can not commment on meat dishes.

Macaronion Via D Coppelle could also set up a table for you and their food is great and reasonable.

You should go to the Campo Fiori to buy fruits, cheeses, etc for the apartment - it is such a great experience.

There is a good grocery store on Corso Vittoria Emanuele - if you are standing facing the Corso it is to the right of Largo Torre Argentina (where all the cats are)- walk past the bank machines and it's a few doors down. There is also a less expensive grocery store in the ghetto off of Via Arenula - if you are walking towards the river it is on the street right before Lungotevere Dei Cenci (the street that runs along the river)- half way down the block. Prices are very good (my friend who lives in Rome took me there).

I happen to like Della Palma for gelati - up the street from the Pantheon. My daughter loves Blue Ice - they are around Rome - one near off of the Campo and there is also one near Trevi Fountain.

by the way...when are you going?

risab

excited...also wanted to add that on Via Giubonnari there are a lot of reasonably priced stores that teens may like but fashion in Italy tends to be one look and the same featured colors at many stores. Shoes are another story.

My daughter loves Sportstaff. They have a store across from the Spanish Stairs - Piazza d'Spagna. They have really nice clothing and fairly good prices.

Trastevere has some good street vendors, especially in the evening where the kids might find some interesting stuff. In all of my travels to Rome I have yet to go to Porta Portese flea market - even when I was a student living in Rome many moons ago. I get overwhelmed at flea markets. The Campo Market and grocery stores are enough for me.

Another area that has a lot of nice stores Via Cola Di Rienzi - near the Vatican.

excited_confused

Thanks again risab, this is do much useful information. We leave May 28th & are in Rome until June 2nd, have one night open & then 3 nights in Venice, 2 nights in Bellagio & the last night will be in Milan probably near the airport. Now that the flights are booked, I wish we had a couple days more but then I would have to use up all my vacation by the middle of the year. Maybe this way we will have to go back! Where are you staying on this trip?
Leely2, thanks for also assuaging my fears, you have probably seen me on Franco's Rome forum expressing my reservations after reading some comments there.

risab

Excited...you have a very nice itinerary planned. I am sure you will have a wonderful trip...just focus on being excited no reason at this point to be "confused."

We are going to fly in to Venice this trip and stay in Venice for 2 1/2 days. We are staying at the Hotel Principe in Cannareggio. I wanted to be out of the tourist area - last time we stayed close to Piazza San Marco (about 9 years ago and we did love it but I wanted another area this time).

In Rome we're renting an apartment in the Ghetto. I requested Monte di Pieta but it was already booked. I ended up getting the apartment that I was considering my last trip.