where is the best area to stay in Rome

[10 CYL]

I am off to Rome which is the best area to stay, for sightseeing and eating and drinking, any help appreciated.

thanks

[nervous]

mail me, ill find you up the link to where we stayed.

you will LOVE rome :jealousbeyondwords:

[staceyb]

Anywhere around the Via Veneto (sp?) would probably be the best place loads of hotels ranging from dirt cheap to luxury jobs same with restaurants.

[puggit]

We stayed near the Pantheon, in the old area. You can walk to anywhere from there

It's safe to drink from all the public fountains, which is lucky as it was 35oC when we were there!

Rome is far better then Paris, but the tourist bars are outrageously expensive (getting to around €20 for a round of 4 drinks).

[r988]

They charge you if you sit down in some food shops as well, so just find somewhere nice to sit outside. Oh and watch out for the gypsy kids who swarm around you, give all your cash to the wife as they usually expect the man to have it and will target him. Otherwise keep it in a secure pocket and don't be afraid to lay the boot in to the little shites.

[nervous]

seriously, whenever anyone posts anything about Rome, this always happens. ooo.. urchins this...300 euro cups of coffee that... robbed by blind one legged gladiators this.... its just so much hype. i went there and it was one of the nicest, safest, happiest places Ive ever had the pleasure of experiencing. just lovely. i know you'll have a great time.

make sure you visit the Spanish steps and the gardens directly above them (cant remember what they're called, possibley bilbao). and the montgolfier balloon will give you spectacular views of the city. oooo...and the piazza da republica is the most beautiful place at night, ever. ooo ooo... and don't listen to the endless dribbling about expensive food and mortgage inducing coffee. its not. me and the Hooves were eating out every night in really lovely restaurants in really lovely areas, and with a 4 courses and a nice bottle of Pinot it was costing us at the most 40-50 quid. most times much less. please bear in mind, that i make almost no money so I'm a pretty good touchstone for value for money. the only mistake we made was to try somewhere cheaper looking on the first night cos we thought it would be better VFM. wrong. you'll pay a tiny bit more for so much more.

so, please, go with the possibility that you'll get mugged in mind, but DON'T go expecting it to happen. cos it wont.

enjoy. ciao ciao.

[puggit]

This place is a must to eat:

Da Baffetto
Via del Governo Vecchio 11, Rome, Italy

Dirt cheap pizerria, with fantastic pizzas and great jugs of house wine. Just west of Piazza Novona

If you arrive after 7.30 then expect to queue with the locals for a space on a long table

[angrys3owner]

Anywhere should be ok, we stayed in an obsecure hotel over the vatican side of the river, I guess the easiest place would be in one of the nice hotels near the Hark Rock Cafe.

I would say it doesn't really matter as the metro or taxis can get you anywhere you can't be bothered to walk - which is easily the best way to get around.

[up-the-dubs]

puggit said:

We stayed near the Pantheon, in the old area. You can walk to anywhere from there

Second that . We stayed in the hotel at the Church square behind the Pantheon. Great spot for sightseeing. Bad for cars. Don't rent one if you're staying in Rome for the whole trip. It is fun, but a positive nightmare for getting anywhere.

[puggit]

up-the-dubs said:

puggit said: We stayed near the Pantheon, in the old area. You can walk to anywhere from there Second that . We stayed in the hotel at the Church square behind the Pantheon. Great spot for sightseeing. Bad for cars. Don't rent one if you're staying in Rome for the whole trip. It is fun, but a positive nightmare for getting anywhere.

That was one posh hotel!!

[up-the-dubs]

puggit said:

up-the-dubs said: puggit said: We stayed near the Pantheon, in the old area. You can walk to anywhere from there Second that . We stayed in the hotel at the Church square behind the Pantheon. Great spot for sightseeing. Bad for cars. Don't rent one if you're staying in Rome for the whole trip. It is fun, but a positive nightmare for getting anywhere. That was one posh hotel!!

First family holiday in 15 years. The folks payed. The hotel have probably never seen anyone like my Bro, Sis and I! Room party and everything. Drunk as coots.

[nighthawk]

angrys3owner said:

Anywhere should be ok, we stayed in an obsecure hotel over the vatican side of the river, I guess the easiest place would be in one of the nice hotels near the Hark Rock Cafe.

Indeed, myself and my wife stayed at the boscolo palace on via veneto, nice hotel great service and not too far away from anything important.

[10 CYL]

Thanks for all the feedback, very helpful.