We've decided to spend Thanksgiving week (Nov. 17th - 24th) in Rome.
I'd like your opinions. My quick research found an apartment in Testaccio (whoever suggested "realrome", Thanks!)
This apartment would suit my needs. Nice kitchen - I understand that there is a market on the plaza in Testaccio. I can cook! And it is distinctly 2 rooms ... my husband can really really sleep in late and I'm up at dawn).
Now, if it is suggested that one should be in the old town center, I found another apartment that is a cutie pie in Campo Fiori (again 2 rooms, the kitchen is quite tiny).
This apartment is off the main plaza down an alley...and it backs on to a courtyard.
So? What do you think?
As a day trip, I'm thinking Orvietto ...

While the apartment in Testaccio will give you a feeling of being in the "real" Rome, the one near Campo di Fiore is certainly closer to the usual tourist sights. Is this your first time in Rome? If so, you may want to be more central. If you are familiar with Rome, I'd go for the Testaccio apartment. Campo di Fiore can get very noisy at night, although in November that might not be so much of a problem. If you are planning on a roast turkey for Thanksgiving, find a butcher asap on arrival in Rome and order one as they are not common in Rome.

The last time I was in Rome gladiators still roamed the streets.
My husband lived there for a few year in the 80's.
I really am leaning towards Testaccio.
No turkey necessary. My husband is German and turkey isn't one of his favorites. Mmmm...he'd probably like Turkey sausage tho. <G>
Thank you for helping.

And it took my friend a long time to convince her butcher in Torino that yes, she wanted the turkey whole, not cut into pieces. He kept insisting that it was no problem to cut it up, and she kept insisting that she wanted it whole.

And Orvieto makes a great day trip from Rome.

Hi SC,

> As a day trip, I'm thinking Orvietto

Very good idea.

Both areas would be just fine...if you choose Testaccio (where there is indeed a large market) be aware that one of the most famous food shops in Italy is also located in that neighborhood. Volpetti.

There are also wonderful food shops ringing the Campo dei Fiori. One of my favorites is the meat shop, Viola, but there are a number of others as well.. If you have been to Rome before I would lean toward Testaccio; some great restaurants there as well...

Think guinea hen (faraone) for Thanksgiving!

Peacock!!?

Anyway, NOW, my DH emailed me (he's out of town) to think about what he referred to as "open mouth" and fly into Rome and out of Venice or vice-versa.

Venice in November?

I'll take Venice anytime. . . I've done both Venice and Rome and Thanksgiving at they are both delightfully free af major tourist hordes. Weather will be more iffy in Venice if that matters to you.

We're heading to Rome for Thanksgiving too!
I'd love to go to Venice but I'm concerned about 'aqua alta' or flooding which is common in November.
We're considering waiting until we get to Italy to decide whether to go to Venice or not. We're staying in Florence for 2 nights and might take a day trip (long) to Venice from there if the weather is good.

Looking forward to the gelato even in November!

You shouldn't have too much trouble finding tacchino in parts for roasting which is probably all 2 people would need. If you make nice with the local butcher, give a couple of days notice and are a good mimer and don't mind looking foolish, you will be able to get an entire one as I managed to do for a Canadian Thanksgiving feast in the Abruzzo a couple of years ago.

hi, suzie,

i was in venice last Nov - not too hot but very busy!

the water was no problem, and they are well-equipped if it does come up.

AS for Rome, as you are a keen cook then the Testaccio apartment would be better, probably.

the classical route is to fly into Venice, out of Rome - avoids the all too common early flights out of Venice, and is a wanderful way to arrive in Italy.

good luck with your planning,

regards, ann

Flying in

Kayak gave me a few choices on the open jaw.
Flying into Venice, I have to switch planes in Rome! For about $780 per person.
I don't worry about the aqua-whatevera in Venice. It would, after all, be an adventure.
After finding out that I only drink white wines, when we visited my DH's family in Germany, she had purchased several bottles of [all I remember is the word on the bottle] "Veneto". slightly bubbly. I know it wasn't a prosceco