Thanks so much for all the advice. I've finally narrowed it down to three apartments in the historical center.

Anyone care to weigh in on which apartment location might be the best? I'm specifically looking to be very close to cab stands, cafes, etc. without much walking distance.

sleepinitaly.com/apartmen...rtari.html

www.rentalinrome.com/pigna/pigna.htm

sleepinitaly.com/files/apt_panico.html

The first one (Cartari?) is best location, IMO. For ambience, walking to Vatican and easy access to cabs on Via Vittorio Emanuele.

Is this the actual web address?:
http://sleepinitaly.com/apartments/cartari/cartari.html



The Piazza della Pigna would be an acceptable second choice - though a bit too close to the busy/noisy Piazza Venezia for my taste.

The Via di Panico is actually on a highway (the road that follows the river). Taxis do not stop on the highway. I would scratch it.

bardo, yes that's the URL of the Cartari apartment. I think I've already pretty much decided to scratch the Panico apartment after talking to some other friends who are familiar with Rome, so your opinion seals the deal on that one.

Thanks for the advice on the other two. Another friend also suggested Cartari as a first choice and Pigna as a second. Decisions, decisions. :) I guess when I find out about availability today, that might make the decision for me.

Anyone else have further advice?

I beg to disagree with Bardo1 on Piazza della Pigna. It is nowhere close enough to Piazza Venezia for any of the traffic, noise, etc. to reach the apartment. It is between two narrow streets that lead from Largo di Torre Argentina to the Pantheon; I know, I was walking there less than three weeks ago. There are taxi stands at the Piazza della Rotonda (Pantheon), and taxis can be hailed at Largo di Torre Argentina, which is also a hub for buses.

As for Cartari, I find it is on the wrong side of Corso Vittorio Emanuele; there are many more points of interest on the Piazza Navona/Pantheon side than on the Campo de Fiori side.

I suggest that you look at the locations of the apartments yourself:

www.mappy.com

On the right-hand side, enter the name of the street/piazza, Rome and 00186 (post code).

I have looked at them on every map I can find, including googlearth, Eloise. The only problem is not my not being familiar with Rome, as those who have traveled there are.

Now, if the apartments were in Florence or Venice, then I could make a much more informed decision. :)

Thanks for the further advice. Gives me more food for thought.

Sorry...above post should read, "the only problem is my not being familiar with Rome...."

Statia, have you seen this thread?

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...&tid=90504

One or two messages down, "Paul" describes Piazza della Pigna. I'm sure his apartment was not the one that you are considering, but I doubt if the Piazza has changed since he posted (which was, admittedly, some time ago).

Thanks, Eloise. I'll check it out.