Two of us will be traveling to Rome in August/September 1999 as a first time visitor. Can anyone recommend reasonable accommodations (less than $100/night) for two adults (under 45) sharing a room. Also, any advice/suggestions/recommendations for things to do, places to go and good inexpensive restaurants. Further, any information on public transportation would be most helpful vs renting a car. Have heard that many activities/museums, etc. are closed during August due to normal European family vacation periods. Is that correct? <BR> <BR>Thanking all of you in advance for any help you can provide.

Hre is my advise-- <BR> <BR>1.Dont rent a car in Rome. People drive like nuts and there are no rules on the road. Parking is also a nightmare. Ditch the car and walk, Rome is a walkers city! <BR> <BR>2. One cheap hotel I know of is the MARCUS HOREL and you can see it on www.venere.it which lists hotels in Rome and the rest of Italy. Also get the book cheap sleeps in Rome for more ideas. <BR> <BR>3. Get the book "Cheap Eats in Rome" and see my post "MY FAVORITE RESTAURANTS IN ROME". Rome also has lots of inexpensivre places serving sandwiches, snacks, etc which can help keep you budget down. Food is no more expensive than in an American city like LA, SF or NYC. Actually it may be cheaper! <BR> <BR>4. See my post "ALL ABOUT ROME" for more info.

Hre is my advise-- <BR> <BR>1.Dont rent a car in Rome. People drive like nuts and there are no rules on the road. Parking is also a nightmare. Ditch the car and walk, Rome is a walkers city! <BR> <BR>2. One cheap hotel I know of is the MARCUS HOREL and you can see it on www.venere.it which lists hotels in Rome and the rest of Italy. Also get the book cheap sleeps in Rome for more ideas. <BR> <BR>3. Get the book "Cheap Eats in Rome" and see my post "MY FAVORITE RESTAURANTS IN ROME". Rome also has lots of inexpensivre places serving sandwiches, snacks, etc which can help keep you budget down. Food is no more expensive than in an American city like LA, SF or NYC. Actually it may be cheaper! <BR> <BR>4. See my post "ALL ABOUT ROME" for more info.

I agree with above. Do not rent a car in Rome. It is a walker's city, but subway is the fastest way to go. Better than cabs and cheaper. Do watch out for pickpockets and girls with babies on their arms begging. They are all pickpockets and they are very, very quick and good. I have at least three friends that can attst to that. We were in Rome last August and did not find any closings. It was hot and less crowded, but did not find anything closed that we wanted to see. As to things to do, I would recommend a bus tour to see the entire area first and then go back to some things that interest you as Rome is difficult to move around in. We took a tour that was divided into two half days with lunck in the middle and felt they did a good job with the entire day. We later returned to a few sights to see them a little better. Good luck, have a great time and WATCH OUT for those pickpockets! They are everywhere.

Richard, <BR>Thanks for the info. Glad to know Rome is a city for walkers. I will definitely check out the 'Cheap Eats' book.

Richard and Bob, <BR> <BR>Thanks for the info. It helps a great deal. I'll check out the 'Cheap Eats' book and be careful to watch for those pickpockets.

I just got back from 5 nights in Rome. I stayed at Hotel Des Artistes. It's located in a safe, convenient neighborhood...6 blocks from Termini (central train station). you can find it www.hoteldesartistes.com. The rooms were very clean, new and have twin beds. It might be a little more than a $100 (total)...but I thought it was very nice...it included a bath in the room and breakfast.

Jennifer, <BR> <BR>Thanks for the hotel tip. I will check out www.hoteldesartistes.com.

A few years ago, we stayed at the Margutta, which is recommended by Fodors. At the time, we paid less than $90 per night for a double with bath and breakfast. Not everyone on this forum has liked the hotel, but we were very pleased with it. It is convenient and spotlessly clean. The staff was also very helpful. Our room was rather dark, as it only had a small window, but other than that it was very nice. White marble floors and a wrought iron bed. We would stay there again.

Linda, For great semi-private and private tours, contact Tom Rankin, Scala Reale. He has a Web site www.scalareale.edu. <BR> <BR>Don't know if it's in your budget, but he made the difference in Rome for us. We did three days of tours with him and have recommended him to at least five friends, all of whom have come back with glowing reviews and thanks. <BR> <BR>Laura