I have found some wonderful B&B's in this area. Can anyone tell me what the area is like? Is it too far from the center? Thank you for your help!

No the Vatican area is not far from the center. It's just across the bridge from many of the sites of Rome. There is also much to see around the Vatican. We walked all over Rome on both sides of the Tiber. Until our feet steamed, as Bill Bryson says! But it was way more beautiful that I ever imagined. I loved Rome. Except for the grafitti!

I respectfully disagree with the "just across the bridge" description. There is a bridge,but if you have a map of Rome, take a look at it. The Pantheon, smack dab in the historic center, is a brisk 35-40 minute walk from the Vatican, another 20+ minutes to the Spanish Steps. There aren't as many restaurant choices either. If you can, I'd choose a more central area.

Elaine, I respectfully disagree with your estimates and some of the information you posted. There is more than one bridge connecting the Vatican with the area near the Pantheon. I know because just this last week I used to alternate routes and take Ponte Umberto to walked to the Vatican (10-15 minutes walk from Via Zanardelli) and walked back using the Ponte San Angelo and viceversa. From Via Zanardelli I used to walked to the Pantheon, no more than 10 minutes. I do agree with the 20 minutes estimate Pantheon-Spanish Steps. I was there with my elderly Mom but we weren't strolling nor running out of air. To get to the historic center I would favored the Ponte Umberto, walked past the Castel San Angelo to your left, and take the bridge across from the Palace of Justice (straight shoot to Piazza Navona, not sure how is walking back at night). <BR><BR>All that said, if you are going to stay less than three days in Rome you better stay closer to the historic center. Besides the Hotel Genio (highly recommend this hotel), I loved the location of the Hotel Due Torri, the Hotel Nazionale and the Hotel Forum. If you are set in staying near the Vatican, the Spring House Hotel looked really nice and had a restaurant. Another thing: there are hotels I would never stayed in; i.e. any hotel located on Via del Corso (deafening street noise).

we stayed at a convent that was a 10 minute walk to the vatican. We thought it was great. We spent part of two days in the area for sights, and took the bus to others. The area is very pleasant, workaday area for Italians. The shopping was great. Rather than the high price designer shops near the Spanish Steps, there were neat little shops as well as chain stores, Italian style nearby. There was an indoor market, and an outdoor market was nearby. Also, at that time, 2 years ago, cab fare to other parts of the city were quite reasonable.