Leigh

I'm trying to find a safe, central (Campo dei Fiore-ish), single room for a week in the middle of January. Preferrably less than $100 US... but of course looking for some 'flavor' with my safety and cleanliness. Any thoughts?

Also, anyone know where/how to hook up with other travellers who may be in Rome in mid-January?

Last question: Herculaneum or Pompeii for the day trip?

Jane

I went to Rome alone - but it was 15 years ago so my info isn't really up-to-date. Just thought I would make the recommendation that, when you make reservations, you ask about the size of your room and whether or not there are windows. Single rooms can be ghastly. I switched from Hotel Fontana to the Scalinata di Spana. My room at the Hotel fontana was like a cell.

Other than that, I had a great time and met many,many wonderful people - it's a lot easier when you travel alone. Pompeii is a loooong day trip.

Marnie

I cannot recommend any hotels in that price range but I can recommend a great tour. ** S C A L A R E A L E ** Architectural Itineraries. I give them ***** (five stars). The tour groups are very small and they will give you more for your money. Typically, the tour groups arranged through the hotel can throw you into a tour group of 20-30 people and you get the same information if you read the guide book. Scala Reale has educated tour guides who have a background in what you will be seeing. They all speak Italian and have special contacts with the museums and other tourist sites. Check out their website. I took two tours with Scala Reale - Roma Antica and Arte Vaticane. Absolutely fabulous. I recommend, given the short time you have, to do the Arte Vaticane and the Evening Baroque. I also recommend that you set it up in advance as the tours are only open to 6 people.
http://www.scalareale.org

bill

Just got back from Rome. If interested in seeing the Pope-Check to see if he will celebrate Mass at St Peters on Sunday. If He does stay in the very back of St Peters sq. he will come by and you can see he within a few ft. Forget the Wed talks. Pompeii is very nice but is sort of a long drive-well worth it-they drive crazy the further you get away from Rome

Don Orlando

For Rome try the hotel Kennedy, A friend is there now and will be back on 7 dec so will have additional infor then. Herculaneum(Erculano) and Pompeii are on the circumvesuvia line. Suggest you spend a few nights in Sorrento and visit the ruins via train. You might want to visit the museum in Naples to see all that artifacts taken out of those sites. Also south of Salerno is Paestum which is a Greek city and in better shape than the acropolis in Greece.

I love to stay in the Island of Ischia which is in the bay of Naples.

I also go to Italy almost every year and alone.