Rome & Amalfi HELP - Apartments
 

I am planning a short trip to Rome and Amalfi Coast starting February 1 through Feb. 9. I think that 4 nights in Rome and then 3 nights in Amalfi Coast is probably do-able. It' my wifes 60th and we will be travelling with our 18 Year old son (yes, we started late) as such, we need two bedrooms (he likes his privacy). My goal is to be centrally located in a nice apartment in Rome and would prefer a balcony or terrace to watch the street life. My questions are:
1. Is anything open or happening in Rome the first week of February 09?
2. I've checked all the apartment rental web sites and have ended up more confused. I did reserve but not yet book an apartment from Rental In Rome. It looks like a beautiful apartment but I am not sure of the location as it is adjacent to botanical gardens in Trastevere Area (see link below). Is this an ok spot or will we be better off somewhere else.
3. After Rome, I am renting a car for a drive to Naples and staying and touring Amalfi Coast for 3 nights. This is where I need more help in deciding where to stay...a two bedroom apartment or two hotel rooms? Again, I would like to stay in the center of town so we can walk to restaurants, sights, etc. although we will be touring by car.
4. Lastly, I would like to stay the final night near the Rome airport to make the morning flight access easy.
I know I'm asking a lot of questions but I would like to make this birthday and my son's first time out of the US a fun and memorable occassion and not a hastle and terrible experience.

Thanks in advance.
[email protected]
http://www.rentalinrome.com/botanical/botanical.htm

I suggest you are making 3 basic mistakes. First, picking Feb. for the AC is not good. If you must go then start there from day one and end in Rome--why stay in Rome twice? Next, do not drive to the AC---train to Naples and then local transport from there. Where do you plan to stay---perhaps Sorrento? I would rethink your plans. Look at summerinitaly.com

I think you will get more helpful responses if you post a total accommodation budget per night; then people will be able to narrow in more on helpful options.

See if you can fly into Naples and home from Rome.

Rome is always open!

In the town of Amalfi, I will recommend Hotel Floridiana, where I spent 5 days last spring. You might be able to afford a double and a single since it is off-season:

http://www.hotelfloridiana.it/

Thanks both of you for your replies. I hope I get many more.

Bobthenavigator - this is the only time that we can go and it is actually on my wife's birthday. So no change possible.

Checked on flying into Naples but flights would have added another 12 hours to total travel time.

Rome twice is only to find a place to sleep the night before we catch an early flight back to the US...would rather tour during the day and then a quick dash to the airport.

Amalfi Coast is not a given but heard it was beautiful and wanted to do more than just Rome in 9 days (leave Jan 31-arrive Feb 1, depart Feb 9)

ekscrunchy - thanks for response. Our budget is not too limited. Would like a comfortable place, nice views, convenient to sights. I believe that $200 USD to $300 USD is a good range. Not looking to break the bank but, we don't always get an opportunity to get to Italy so I would splurge if the place was right.

Thanks and I'm stil looking...

I did book a car for Feb 5th through Feb 8th for around $150 all inclusive...great deal when you add up train fare and travel fare (outside of Rome) for 3 people.

Thanks again...

Jim

Amalfi coast is beautiful - in season. But a series of beach resorts in midwinter - chilly and possibly rainy- with many hotels and restaurants closed for the season and possibly ferries not running (so you can;t see Capri) due to rough seas.

Amalfi is really a series of very cute small tows and most of what you want to see/do is outdoors and/or on the water. Midwinter is a bad time. I would do Amalfi only between April and October.

OK, Feb. is a given but the AC is not a given. I would spend 5 days in Rome and then train to Florence. You do not want coastal destinations in Feb. Here is my Rome list that may help:
BOB’S FAVORITE HOTELS IN ROMA

All are located in the centro historical area of Rome and within a :20 walk of many of the major tourism sights. All prices assume a standard double room:

SMALLER B&BS: Prices will range from 130E to 200E—average 170E

* www.nicolasinn.com Near Colosseum with helpful hosts

• www.daphne-rome.com Tasteful B&B in 2 locations—good press

• http://www.banchivecchi115.com Nice B&B near Piazza Farnese


FULL SERVICE 3 STAR HOTELS: Prices will range from 150E to 220E

• www.albergocesari.it Great location & my wife’s favorite

• www.hotelteatropace.com Near Piazza Navona—opened in 2004

• www.lancelothotel.com Nice hosts near Colosseum—good reviews

• www.hotelsancarloroma.com Near Spanish Steps & shopping area

• www.smeraldoroma.com Good location and decent price

• www.hotelportoghesiroma.com North of Piazza Navona—has quad


NICER 4 STAR HOTELS: Price range from 240 to 320E

* www.locandacairoli.it Newer Boutique hotel near Piazza Navona

• www.hotelpontesisto.it Nice modern hotel near Jewish quarter

• http://www.residenzafarneseroma.it Very nice near Piazza Farnese


BUDGET 2 STAR OPTIONS: Prices from 90 to 140E for double in season

* www.hotel-giardino-roma.com Good location and nice people

* www.solealbiscione.it Popular place near Campo de’ Fiori

Oops ! I meant to mention Palazzo Olivia as a good option for apts. of various sizes---they will rent for 4 days or more.

This is a two bedroom/2 bath Rome apartment very highly recommended on this forum and www.slowtrav.com. Not only is the apartment recommended but so is the company. Very convenient location...most, but not all, prefer to stay in the Piazza Navona, Campo de Fiori area.

http://www.dolceroma.it/campo-fiori.htm

Apartments with terrace: http://www.rentalinrome.com/bramante/bramante.htm

http://www.romepower.com/eng/rome-ap.../Zeus_297.html

We've been to Rome twice...in January and February, and loved being there at that time. Can't advise on the Amalfi Coast as that's a destination for our next trip, however I would heed the recommendations to choose another location given the time of year you're going. We also visited Florence with day trips to Arezzo and Siena and spent 3 nights in Venice. You have many options to choose from.

Have a wonderful trip.

Replys are much appreciated and I'm getting the feeling that Amalfi Coast is a bad idea this time of year.

I think I will take Bobthenavigators and nytravellers advice and look for another possible destination/adventure. I'll start by checking out the Florence suggestion but am open to hear more. Perhaps at that time of year I can go without booking anything for the second part of the trip and see what we find out while in Rome.

Thanks and...I'm looking for more fantastic help.

Jim

I think Bob's suggestion of Florence instead of Amalfi is a good one. Upon arrival, train directly to Florence for your first 3 nights, then train back to Rome for the last 5 nights. This eliminates an extra hotel change at the end. No need to stay near the airport on your last night.

I would not want to stay near the Botanical Gardens. It's too far from most of what you want to see. I recommend the Piazza Navona/Pantheon/Campo de' Fiori area. Check out www.sleepinitaly.com. They have a lot of apartments in this area.

Hello Jim!

With only seven nights, I'd really recommend you hunker down in Rome for the entire time and perhaps do a few day trips by train, returning to your apartment at night.

For starters, there is really so much to see and do in Rome that you, your wife and your son definitely wouldn't be bored. It's very relaxing to just unpack and settle in, find your favourite little cafe. As well, in winter when days are short, you don't want to waste valuable time packing and unpacking, moving out and settling into new places.

I've visited Rome many times, most recently for two weeks in January 2008, and it's really wonderful in winter. There are still lots of visitors, but the city feels much more Roman (does that make sense?)than perhaps in the summer when it's extremely crowded and people become pretty hot and impatient!

But if you did want some variety, you could easily do a lovely day trip out to Orvieto, which is only an hour away and quite spectacular. Or, if you have the energy, the high-speed train could whisk you up to Florence for the day, for a bit of a change of scenery.

I have rented from Natalia at Dolce Roma (mentioned above by Travelfan) and it was a fabulous experience. Her Campo dei Fiori apartment is right in the thick of things with 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, extremely clean and convenient. She will give you an off-season discount and tons of advice (including great shopping advice if you or your wife is interested in that.) She and her husband, both Romans, are delightful and can also give you great up-to-date advice about things to do and see.

There is no balcony at that apartment, but lots and lots of cafes keep their outdoor patios heated in winter. Which might be more comfortable than a balcony anyway, as winter days in Rome can be warm (perhaps 15C) but that's still not summer weather! Several times I stopped for an early evening glass of wine at an outdoor cafe overlooking the Pantheon, comfortably watching the passing scene.

I hope you have a wonderful trip!