first trip to Roma- please advise hotels, etc. can we do this (husband and self) for 9-10 days at a nice- not too expensive) hotel- for $5,000.(ALL inclusive, I mean, airfare, etc) We are not big, expensive eaters- dont care what we eat- but hotel and location should be kindof nice- would like to have some money for couple tours, etc. what do you think, also, time of year? thinking of late April, early May...

Airfare from where? If you want to book a package (air/hotel), try www.gate1travel.com or www.go-today.com
You can search www.venere.com for hotels by area and to get an idea of prices.

Also, you can trust hotels.com for Rome hotels.

A little tip for your visit!
Book the catacomb tour for one morning which will take you to St Peters tomb.This is one of Romes' best kept secrets and you'll be sure to receive a lot of jealous looks as you go where other tourists can only gaze at from afar. The ancient alleyways are creepy and fascinating and the insight into Roman life as it was millenia ago is unsurpassed elsewhere in the city. You need to book this in advance by e'mailing
[email protected]

Hi

My wife and I went to Rome last year and I have posted a trip report with some pictures and links on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com/rome_italy.htm . Maybe you can find some useful information there

I have also made an interactive Google map of Rome that you can find on http://gardkarlsen.com/rome_italy_map.htm . It shows where attractions and restaurants are located.
Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

consider apartments instead of hotels. You might save some money by cooking and eating in and get more of a local experience. Check this site and SlowTrav.com for apartment recommendations. Bed and Breakfasts are also a good deal, and of course include a light breakfast. Good luck with your planning!

It would entirely depend on where you're flying from and what constitutes "nice" for the hotel. I think it's doable, if you work at it.
We did 6 days in November for right at $5,000. We probably stayed in a nicer hotel than you're looking for. (Know that hotels in Rome are expensive and may not be as nice as the price would suggest.)

Look for packages - we simply used Expedia for the flight and hotel, and that knocked a extra couple hundred dollars off the price. Pay attention to airfare specials.

I think for food, you'll need at least 400E ($500+) for the trip. My husband and I just returned, and we spent about 40-45E a day (one snack, one meal, and a dessert each per day).

Try to stay in a central location, so that you can minimize transportation costs. We walked everywhere.

Well, the wifey and I are doing 10 days in Rome/Sicily over Christmas/New Years. We have spent less than $3,000 to this point. This includes the following, paid for...

R/T airfare Orlando-Rome, Palermo-Orlando.
4 nights hotel in Rome (3 star, Monte Carlo)
All inclusive car rental for 6 days, $0 deductible.
Overnight Ferry, with cabin and car, Naples to Palermo.
4 nights- 2bdrm apt in Castellamare del Golfo.

We still have to pay for food, fuel, metro transport and attractions.

dave

thanks for the advice- flight would be from Philly to Roma. Will look at the sites y'all mentioned.

Check out the Hotel Parker just close enough to the train station to get places but can not hear it. If you want to see the Vatican museum pay the extra money to do the guided tour so you do not wait in the mile long line that forms every morning. Book hotel like the Parker that serves breakfast so one meal you don't pay for.