Rome Short break where to stay!

[Noeuf]

Hi all so thinking three nights, kids all have SEND so can’t arrange care longer. Dh and I want to go Feb outside half term. Language not a problem, just the whole overwhelming stuff to see issue. Looks like Spanish steps or piazza navone (sp?) as a base but any ideas on getting around / seeing the Vatican - dh fixated on this for some reason. I hated Barcelona and in my head this is the same - we go, we miss the good bits, and we’ve just had a ‘meh’ stay.

[Pumpkin314]

You could start with a trip round the sights on an open top bus. A bit of a cheesy tourist thing to do but will help to decide which bits you'd like to explore properly. The Colosseum and the forum are amazing. This might have changed post covid but you can get a ticket for both, and if you buy your ticket at the entrance to the forum you can avoid the massive queues to buy tickets at the Colosseum. I loved Da Francesco in Trastevere, though going by the website now it might have changed quite a bit, used to be amazing food and great value, red checked tablecloths and tumblers for your wine kind of place, but looks like they might have upped the prices to match the great food! If you have your fill of Italian food and fancy a burger try Open Baladin near Campo De'Fiori - great burgers and craft beers.

[Noeuf]

Omg i almost died when dd made us go in one of the pony and cart round Florence when she was small! I might manage a bus too tour though thank you, sounds like an easy way to see stuff.

[MacavityTheDentistsCat]

We've always stayed at the Alberto del Sonato, right alongside the Pantheon. The breakfast is great, the staff are lovely and it's well placed for everything.

[Geamhradh]

@Pumpkin314

You could start with a trip round the sights on an open top bus. A bit of a cheesy tourist thing to do but will help to decide which bits you'd like to explore properly. The Colosseum and the forum are amazing. This might have changed post covid but you can get a ticket for both, and if you buy your ticket at the entrance to the forum you can avoid the massive queues to buy tickets at the Colosseum. I loved Da Francesco in Trastevere, though going by the website now it might have changed quite a bit, used to be amazing food and great value, red checked tablecloths and tumblers for your wine kind of place, but looks like they might have upped the prices to match the great food! If you have your fill of Italian food and fancy a burger try Open Baladin near Campo De'Fiori - great burgers and craft beers.

We just bought tickets online to the Colosseum/Forum, then you get a different entrance to avoid the queues.
I was amazed at how organized it was- it was 42 degrees and I almost said to DD "I can't" but everywhere in Italy is so geared up now for Covid precautions that they've really upped their game wrt queues etc. Iirc there were at least 4 different entrances and you then made your way around everything at 4 different stages to avoid crowding. It was probably the most crowded tourist spot we visited having said that. Trevi was busy but the guards were very vigilant and checking masks were worn and anybody eating had to get up and move away.

[Noeuf]

Ok so book hotel then book tickets? Thinking of BA as it’s easy and transfer from hotel to airport etc.

[Newnormal99]

We stayed on the other side of river to cassel st Angelo but other side of river. Really lovely area. Many of the roads cobbled and virtually car free.

Only place we got a bus to was the colosseum everything else we walked. I didn't really see any hotels think it's more self catering apartments.

[minipie]

Ooh I need this thread! Mind if I jump on OP? We are taking the DC (9 and 6) in December. DC1 is very into history so will love all the Roman bits.

We want to be central but nowhere too noisy and with non tourist trap restaurants… I have found a place in Monti just north of the Colosseum, is that a good area can anyone advise? Or should I look for somewhere further into Trevi/Pantheon area? DC are not great walkers.

Thanks!

[Cazzovuoi]

Airport transfer is easy from Ciampino you take the Leonardo Express. You’ll be in Termini in 20 minutes.

[Noeuf]

Welcome mini ive only been to Rome once but not as a tourist, just killing time so not a clue. Was also many many many years ago!
Good to hear about the transfer, Sorrento from airport was so long and boring.

[Noeuf]

new sounds like you and everyone walked mainly, maybe I need to worry less about where we stay and pick a nice hotel instead.

[Noeuf]

I do have a question. What exactly happens at the Vatican. Dh is obsessed with the idea of going. Lien do you walk round the outside/buy tickets to go inside/how long do we need etc.

[Geamhradh]

@Noeuf

I do have a question. What exactly happens at the Vatican. Dh is obsessed with the idea of going. Lien do you walk round the outside/buy tickets to go inside/how long do we need etc.

Does he mean the Vatican Museums or St. Peter's?
The Vatican Museums are massive, I think, iirc, (and note plural museums!) some of the largest in the world. Roman and Greek artefacts, mummies galore, actual religious historical artefacts, lots of Popey stuff, then of course the art. Gardens outside too.
St. Peter's imo is simply the most stunning building in the world. The first time I went, years ago with a friend, we walked in just at the right time of day when rye shafts of sunlight were coming down. I'm not religious in any way but it was enough to make you fall on your knees (which obvs lots of visiting nuns were doing) This summer we happened to be in there when a cardinal's funeral was taking place, very interesting.

The museum is inside the Vatican walls, you have timed entrance and should book ahead. You can stay as long as you like once in.
St. Peter's as a working church is free, and open all day except Sunday. Airport security style system operating in both.

[Geamhradh]

Rye? "The"

[Geamhradh]

@Cazzovuoi

Airport transfer is easy from Ciampino you take the Leonardo Express. You’ll be in Termini in 20 minutes.

Isn't the Leonardo express from Leonardo da Vinci/Fiumicino airport?
It's years since I've used Ciampino but back then it was a free bus to Ottaviano and then the metro to the centre.

[rookiemere]

When we stayed we were near the Piazza Navrone and that was a lovely area. Sometimes to avoid too much walking we caught cabs ( was unseasonably hot for October and had 12 yr old DS with us) and they weren't overly pricey.

[Noeuf]

I’m hoping to book a taxi/transfer tbh. Used to get the train from Pisa to Florence so if it’s easy I’ll do it but I’m a bit lazy with understanding stops and transport and tickets.

I think he doesn’t know @Geamhradh but he was at a nun taught school so I imagine the church bit? Where the Pope does his appearances etc ?

[Geamhradh]

He'll want Sunday morning in St.Peters square itself then. On most Wednesdays there's the weekly audience also open to the public in the Paolo 6th hall. That, I think needs to be booked in advance.
He pops out at other times, but if he wants to actually see him (if he's in Rome) those are the days.

[RJnomore1]

@minipie we stayed in monti a few years ago. It’s quite trendy/up and coming and like most Of central Rome within walking distance of everything.

There’s an amazing cocktail bar id recommend called the Dow Jones hopefully it’s still open but the drinks are tremendous.

[RampantIvy]

We stayed in a hotel next to the French Embassy, so it was more of a walk to the main bits, but it was quiet at night. The restaurant opposite was brilliant though, and the hotel breakfasts were some of the best we ever had.

[Noeuf]

Oh fab, we are doing fri to mon, do we just pitch up or do you book tickets or anything? For the Pope bit.
I think I want to be walking distance definitely, I hated Barcelona as we felt quite far away. I’m still not sure what we were meant to see or do there.

[hopeishere]

We stayed here and it was really lovely. Great staff. Quiet. Nice food. Lots of places within walking distance. We did an evening tour of the Sistine Chapel. Also book ahead for Villa Borghese.

www.kolbehotelrome.com

[Noeuf]

Oh nice thank you, I’ve had a look at the gallery on the website. How did you arrange the Sistine chapel?

[Noeuf]

Does this look legit? Maybe I could book the tour with pick up from hotel and then spend the rest of the time cafe-ing and faring le spese 😂
www.rome.net/activities/vatican-city-tour

[PermanentTemporary]

I stayed with a group of friends in Relais Le Clarisse Trastevere a couple of years ago. It's friendly and quirky rather than luxurious but it was a brilliant location a couple of minutes walk from the Tiber and a very easy walk to the Vatican.

[AnnaMagnani]

Another vote for Campo dei Fiori. There are loads of nice places to eat (avoid the main square, go round the corner or a side street), Piazza Navone is just across the street and loads of things are walking distance.

Vatican at the moment is A LOT less busy than usual so even during the day you may avoid the crush in the Sistine Chapel - I follow a tour guide who sends us pictures of the place looking bizarrely empty. We paid ££££ to go first thing in the morning and be the first arrivals, later in the day it was heaving but that was pre-Covid times.