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Planning a trip to Rome next April and will be looking for an apartment.

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shoemad | 12:47 Tue 29th Sep 2009 | Travel
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As I don't know the city at all, I'm not sure which part of Rome to look at. There are lots of websites offering apartments in different areas - Trevi Fountain, St Peter's, etc but I don't know where to go for.
Has anyone been to Rome who can suggest whereabouts would be a good area to stay in?
I want to be fairly central to the famous sites as will have my mum with us who is nearly 80 and not that good at walking, but don't want to be anywhere too noisy.
Any tips/advice would be welcome.
Thank you.
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Rome is quite small and fairly easy to walk around, altho prob not so easy for an 80yo. There are loads of city buses tho.

The streets can be very busy and there are quite a few beggars who can give hassle.

I found most areas felt safe, apart from maybe the area around the station which is a bit chaotic.

We stayed near the Spanish Steps on a street which was sort of the equivalent of London's Bond Street - full of expensive designer shops. The streets tended to be quite busy until late in the evening. The area around the Vatican is fine too. Piazza Navona is very touristy, cosmopolitan - good for people watching but very expensive. There are family-run cafes and restaurants just off of the main square which are much cheaper than those in prime positions on the piazza.

May be an idea to look on some sites which review hotels, apartments, etc. such as tripadvisor.
Question Author
Barney, thank you for your detailed answer, I appreciate the advice.
This is a wonderful apartment to stay in Rome,right on the Spanish Steps.
http://bookings.landmarktrust.org.uk/BuildingDetails/Overview/228/Piazza_di_Spagna#

It is part of the UK Charity The Landmark Trust.Of course while it is wonderful it is not cheap
It does sleep 4,and is on the floor above the poet Keats apartment (now a Keats museum) where he lived and died.

We have stayed in it twice,and want to go back again.It should be noted that the Apartment has only partial air conditioning,which I think is in the sitting room and kitchen,but the booking office of The Landmark Trust can tell you.

It really is a unique and "one off" experience!
More:~
I have to agree with Barney's description of Rome.
However,it must be said that Rome is not a quiet city,most of the (old) streets are narrow and still take quite a lot of traffic.Many of the (narrow) backstreets) have no pavements,and you have to watch out for both cars and scooters(& watch your handbags!).
Also (thinking of your Mum) Rome is built on 7 hills,so many streets are either up or down hill,and many are still pavementless and cobbled.
There is an underground system,but it's not on the scale of London or Paris,so walking is still the best way to see the city.
If you can find a Hotel with a garden(rare) where your rooms are at the back they may be quieter.
April at least will be a pleasant month(temperature wise).Never consider going to Rome in July/August/ it is stifling.
We have also stayed in this Hotel:~
http://www.hotelderussie.it/
Which is small and boutique like,but again not cheap,bu then no hotel in Rome is what you would call cheap,unless you are way out near the Airport etc.
Personally,from the way you describe it,I would choose another city,taking your Mum into consideration.
One that is flatter,has a better transport system,and is cheaper than Rome,but as I say this is only personal.
Rome IS an amazing,frustrating and inspiring city,and hopefully going in April you won't have TOO many tourists to put up with?
Like Barney I never felt unsafe anywhere in Rome,the Italians are larger than life and very friendly,especially if you have even a few words of the language.
I hope I haven't discouraged you,I just thought I would throw a few sugesstions into the pot.
I also agree with BArney about getting hints from TripAdvisor.com an excellent site.

Buone vacanze!
loving reading this - just to add i got married in Rome, in the English church (Sant Anna) in the Vatican 20 years ago come November.
Question Author
Lovely to read your respnses, thank you.
Mr Veritas, there will be five of us so unfortunately the apartment you mention won't be big enough.
Barney - how romantic!
It has to be Rome as mum has always wanted to go so my sister and I, plus our husbands, are planning a trip as a surprise.
Really looking forward to it and will put in some research over next few days.
thanks again.
X
Ah well "Che Sara,Sara" as they say in Rome.
"What will be,will be"
BTW if you have a bizarre and somewhat morbid sense of the unusual,you must go to the Cappuchin Church Crypt while in Rome.
It's not to everyone's taste,but you won't see anything like it anywhere else in the world!
Have a look here:~
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capuchin_Crypt

http://www.cappucciniviaveneto.it/TheCrypt.htm

Of course your Mum being 80 might decide it it too much to think about,but I was there for MY 80th Birthday and certainly was fascinated by it.
However,I AM a bit strange! LOL
i stayed in a hotel a bus ride away and i felt really isolated...no local shops or restaurants and we had to eat in hotel every night as it was a hassel to go into the centre every night! if i were you id get somewhere central....its a lovely city ive been twice ......would also go back!!!.....there are ALOT of scooters and mopeds- seriously everyone has one the traffic is manic!!! probs calmer at night i would guess though!! stay near vatican probs...the trevi and colloseum are easily reached by underground metro if u use ur map thingy!!!

beware of the horses at colleseum one bit me lol!! aaaand my gran n granda hav jus had a reali terrible accident at the same place 3wks ago with the horses!!!! seems they dont like my family!! haha!!! xxxxx
I know right know is have been long time since you are posting this question, but just want to add some information about apartment in Rome, last year I went to Rome and rent 1 bedrooms apartment at Piazza Navona, in my opinion Piazza Navona is great places to stay when in Rome as at walking distance to major attraction there except vatican, another places is worth to stay is Trevi Fountain, and near Vatican city. By the way I found those apartment on this website http://www.lodjee.com/rome they have several option of short term apartment but actually the prices is average and not necessary cheap but worth for their services and very beautiful apartment.

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