I am trying to plan my very first trip to Rome by myself. I am a student so I have to be careful on how much I spend. The thing is I am not sure when is a great time to go, second week in April or the last week of May? Any ideas?

I also looked into Hostels, has anyone ever stayed in one? If so, can you recommend a good one?

Thank you all...

The weather should be warmer in late May than early April but accommodation should be cheaper in April. It will be less crowded in April too. For info on hostels, try www.lonelyplanet.com and look on the Thorn Tree forum which is aimed at students and backpackers.
A tip for saving money - have a coffee standing up at the bar like all the locals, it can cost double or more once you sit down at a table.
Kay

Kay

Thank you very much for your advice. I shall look into the lonelyplanet site.

April 25 ( or a dtae very near it) is a big holiday in Italy when mnay Italians take a long weekend and travel. Make your plans accordingly.

I admire that you are a student and are astute in your decision to not only go, but to find ways to make it better in advance.

You can find discounts on public transportation and on admissions to various museums and such if you present your student ID, so that helps.

You have some good advice about maybe eating and/or drinking for less and visiting the places that the locals frequent will get you better value.

You will find lots of info on the web and maybe pick up a good travel book that works for you. There are plenty that offer places like 'Rome on 'X' $ a day' and such.

Best of luck.

Hi
If you are in North America, the "Let's Go" guidebooks are written by students, for students, and could have very helpful information.

Convents and monasteries also take in guests, at prices lower than hotels.

Hostels
www.hiayh.org
www.hostelseurope.com/
www.hostelwatch.com/hostels/welcome.html
www.hostels.com
www.eurotrip.com/hostels

Protezione della Giovane, via Urbana 158, pone 06 48 81 489 or 06 48 80 056
is a residence for unmarried women under the age of 25

Convents and Monasteries that accept guests:
http://www.romeguide.it/files/cas_rein.htm
A complete list is available from the Centro Peregrinatio ad Petri Sedem, Piazza Pio Xii, 4 (Vatican City) phone 06 69 88 48 96, fax 06 69 88 56 17.
Also look at the list at www.santasusanna.org/comingtorome/convents

Suore Dorotee, via del Gianicolo 4A, 00165 Rome - in the Janiculum Hill area, tel. 06/6880.3349, fax 06/6880.3311. IMO, out of the way location.
Istituto Ravasco, via Pio VIII 28, 00165 Rome - tel. 06/3937.5805, fax 06/636.721.
Domus Pacis, via di Torre Rossa 94, 00165 Rome - Tel. 06/638.3888, fax 06/3936.6795.
Villa Bassi, via G. Carini 24, 00132 Rome - Tel. 06/581.5333.

Le Suore di Lourdes, via Sistina 113, 00187 Rome - near the Spanish Steps, tel. 06/474.5324, fax 06/4741.422.

The Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement, via Monte del Gallo 105, 00165 Rome - near the Vatican, tel. 06/630.782, fax 06/638.6149.

Recommended on Fodors forum March 03: www.suorebambinogesu.it/DNB/camere2.html

Thank you all for great advice. I am still trying to figure out if I want to stay in Rome for 8days or should split it between Florence or Venice.
Any suggestion will be highly appreciated. Once agin thank you.

First, let me say that I wouldn't miss Florence if you're going to be that close. It's beautiful.

Second, check out the site www.eurocheapo.com. It has a lot of Pensions listed, and truthful reviews. Some of them are fairly inexpensive, and they will offer a few more benefits over a hostel. However, I stayed in a hostel/convent when I was in Rome a few years ago, and it was very clean and nice. You just have to not mind sharing a room and/or bathroom with strangers, and you probably don't if you're trying to save money!

Although the weather at the end of May would undoubtedly be warmer than during mid-April, I've been to Rome in both mid-April and the end of March and the weather was, overall, very nice both times, warm and sunny during the day (if a bit cool in the evenings.)

In addition to hostels, you might want to check out the Pensione Panda, which has a superb location near the Spanish Steps. Their high season price for a single with a shared bathroom is only 48 euros, in case that falls within your budget for accomodations.

http://www.pensionepanda.com/page2.htm

Has anyone heard or even stayed at the Hotel Des Artistes? In the private room or the hostel part? If so, what did you think of it?

preenyc,

Rome is amazing..and if you do your research, quite cheap. For example on arriving at the Termini( dont stay near that area!) we simply took a local bus to our hotel..costed 1 euro only.

I found Let's Go Europe and Lonely Planet to be very helpful in finding cheap AND safe places to stay.

Read Rick Steve's Best of Europe to get suggestions on how to plan your trip and days in Rome. But also note that his recommendations are usually more expensive.

Split your days between Rome and Venice, with a quick day trip to Florence.

Hi! SSK4F

Exactly where did you stay in Rome? Thanks for the good reading ideas.

I visited Rome in February and stayed at the Picasso Hotel. The price was around $47/night for single room with bath. It's centrally located, a block off the main busline and within walking distance of most sights. The only time I took a bus was to visit the Vatican. Try this website: www.venere.it They can find all categories of hotels, b&b's and hostels. It also shows what neighborhood the hotel is in.

we stayed at Albergo della Lunetta
P. d. Paradiso, 68 (06 686 1080; fax 689 2028). Overall very nice and centrally located...though not flush with the too many ameneties such as A/C

but I think you can find a better and cheaper fare in April/May..We went this June and many other places were fully booked.

check out this site

http://www.letsgo.com/ITA/09-Lazio-49

WOW!! I think I am more confused then ever. There is so much to see in Italy, but I am only going for 6days. My orginal plan was only Rome, now I want to go to Florence and Venice. How can I split it up so I can see all the three places? or even just Rome and Venice?

I found a great place to stay in Rome and still looking at others, but can anyone help with Venice and Florence?

Once agin all advice and suggestions are highly appreciated. <

Rome is great but I think 8 days for the first trip might be a little long. We were in Rome for 5 day on our first trip and I was ready to move on. I love Rome and we are going back next May for several more days, I just feel 8 days are long enough to split between two cities. Have a wonderful tirp what ever you decide.

How can you split up your trip so you can see all three cities? Easy, you simply visit all three places, spending less time in each place. Your tradeoff will be depth vs. breadth; it's entirely up to you.

Has anyone been to Rome and Venice in early April? I am going from April 2-10. How are the prices at the time? I get really confused with converting euros to dollars. Any expert with advice on that?

Thanks..