What area to stay in Rome?
 

We have never been to Rome. Planning a trip for 6, mom and dad early 50's, four daughters aged 26, 24, 20, and 18. Maybe a son in law by then. Probably early June 2010.

We want to rent an apartment. What area is best to stay for a week, dine out, cook in, visit everything we can, and immerse ourselves in the city? We want character, locals, location for sites and transportation, and safety.

thank you for your help!!

Rome's public transportation system is in no way built for speed or covering lots of ground. You need to walk almost everywhere. So the best thing to do is in the historic center (roughly around the Pantheon/Largo dell Argentina/Piazza Navoa) and either lean in the direction of the Vatican or lean in the direction of the Forum, depending on your core sightseeing interests.

If your daughters are interested in nightlife, it would make sense to stay closer to the Testaccio district, perhaps in Trastevere, which would also boost the character quotient.

If your family has a very keen interest in painting/art, old and new, there is an argument to be made to be staying around the Piazza del Popolo, or across the river on that side of the Vatican.

One of the problems with staying smack dab in the center is that you will experience a more touristy side of Roma. If you want to avoid that, staying around the Piazza del Popolo will diminish that, but you'll pay in extra walking.

Rome is safe but you shouldn't carry around valuables and important documents while you sightsee.

Sorry for the typo: It's piazza Navona.

Zeppole, thanks for your help. Are the "Spanish Steps" in any of these areas you mentioned?

Yes. Looking at a map, you want to be more in the direction of the Piazza del Popolo, although no doubt many rentals advertise themselves as in the "Spanish Steps" area (or Trevi fountain) because it has been a very popular location for tourist hotels for a very long time.

I've never stayed in that area and one of the reasons I don't is because the things that interest me most about Rome are across the town.

Since your trip isn't until June 2010, you might first make a list of all the places you want to see in Rome, and then get a good map of Rome and visibly mark the locations. Rent an apartment in the greatest density of your dots so you can take full advantage of having a rental to pop back during the day, as a group or individuals, for rest, food, changes of clothes, etc.

If you don't know how to create your own maps using Google earth, and flagging your personal choices, you and the rest of your family might learn how and use it as a common resource to get a grip on where to rent and how to organize your days.