Rome Travel Forum

hello, husband and I are going to rome the end of march for anniversary (40). We think we might stay in the area of "Veneto(?) street. First time splurge.

Just how far away is this area from St. Peter's square, the colloseum and so many other places that we always wanted to see?
Also, are there airport shuttles?

Thanks in Advance for any ideas

Rome is a walking city, and the Via Veneto is definitely within the area that you can walk around. This is the area with embassies, upscale (if occasionally past their prime) hotels, and memories of "La Dolce Vita".

The Via Veneto (technically "Via Vittorio Veneto") is closest to Piazza della Repubblica, where the Baths of Diocletian are, and a little farther is the main train station (Stazione Termini). In the other direction are the Borghese Gardens, with its fine park setting and the Borghese Museum. Just around the corner are the Spanish Steps and very upscale (read: expensive) shopping between the Via del Corso and the Via del Babuino. All that I have spoken about is far is with a half a mile of the Via Veneto, and there's a lot more besides.

Rome has a great public transit system, both bus, Metro, trams, and rail. Look at www.atac.roma.it for the official website. Note that there is a weekly ticket called the CIS that gets you on most all conveyances for a very reasonable amount. Always look for the British Union Jack flag for the English pages, or on some sites, you'll see "English" or just "En".

As for getting to your hotel from the airport, it depends on which airport you've arriving at. Fiumicino (Leonardo da Vinci) has direct train connection to Termini; Ciampino does not. I would encourage you to look at www.adr.it for the "official" transportion options, then look at the pages of Ciambella and Lacristina for transportation tips...note, however, after reviewing those pages, to note that taxis direct from the airport - while the most expensive option - might be worth it if (1) you have a lot of luggage, (2) you're not comfortable slogging around a strange city first thing, (3) you just want to get to the hotel as fast as you can, and (4) you're splurging, so money is no object ;-). What are we talking, to the Veneto area? I dunno, maybe 50-60 euros? Remember that the taxi and limo fees are a single price for the group, while train and bus tickets are per person.

Also note that some people have successfully used limo services that you arrange for in advance - search the Rome forum for "limo" for further information. This has the advantage of the directness of the taxi, but I have the impression that this may be a hair cheaper.

Also search your hotel's website for airport access. Some offer shuttles, although some are more expensive than the taxis while others are cheaper.

OK for a start?

Bill

You could take the train into Termini station and get a taxi from there. That would be a much more reasonable cost as it's a short drive. The airport is a long way out of town!

You can walk to St. Peter's Square easily. We appear to be about the same age as we recently had our 41st anniversary (did the 40th in London) and we walked all over Rome. The tourist part with everything you want to see is not that large.

BTW, we were there in March a year ago and it rained fairly often. It wasn't a hard rain but enough to need umbrellas so pack a couple of the small travel umbrellas and light raincoats.

Happy anniversary . . . in March!

Sorry, forgot . . . You might be interested in the hop-on;hop-off bus tour. You can take the number 110 double decker red bus either as a regular bus or the on-off type. There is a commentary. There is another city bus called the Archeobus that visits Rome archeological sites, like the catacombs, and you can get on and off of that one too. They are a good way to get a feel for the city so it's easier to walk around later. You can get either of these in front of the Termini Station and they are well marked.

My suggestion: Go to the church St. Peter in Chains to see the Michelangelo statue of Moses inside. It is amazing . . . and free! . . . and don't forget the Pieta right inside St. Peter's. I forgot and we had to go back the next morning to take pictures. 8^)

I'm going against the mainstream opinion here and say the Veneto is not the best place to stay in Rome. It's reputation as high end La Dolce Vita lifestyle is past it's prime.
To be in the center of the centro storico of Rome,hence within walking distance of everything from the Vatican, the Colosseo, the Piazza del Popolo,etc. look for a hotel in the area of the Pantheon and Piazza Navona.
There are many choices and a wide range of prices.
In March you will be able to get good rates at many of the most popular hotels.

luvroma, actually we responders didn't recommend the Via Veneto area; the original poster did. We were just pointing out that it is indeed relatively easy to get around Rome from this area.

You are correct that the Pantheon and Piazza Navona areas are very central; for this reason, hotel rates have shot up in this area. But, then, hotels are relatively expensive everywhere in Rome, compared to a lot of other places.

For my part, having lived in Rome, I seldom had occasion to stay in hotels in town. The last time there, I stayed in an apartment just south of the Vatican. This suited me because (1) we wanted a kitchen, (2) we wanted easy access out of town for our car (to visit Castel Gandolfo, Frascati, Tarquinia, etc.), and (3) I lived at 2 different locations west of town, so I'm more familiar with that side of town anyway.

However, this poster seems to have a different set of priorities, i.e., splurging at a 5 star hotel that probably has 24-hour room service and so on. Well, people should celebrate their anniversaries in the way they like, right?

While such hotels can be located around town, the greater Via Veneto area may have the biggest collection of them...to be fair, its heydey was many years ago, as you point out (which is why I made the comment in my earlier posting about some of the hotels being past their prime).

If the original poster wants to open up the discussion as to which areas and what hotels, I am sure we'd be happy to accommodate...

Bill

Yes, yes, yes I am very open to find our which areas and what hotels you think are good. It does not have to be a 5star hotel. I would like to splurge some, but not go broke in the process.
My husband and I want to see as much of Rome as possible. We are spending 8 nights in the city. We did Madrid in 5, Lisbon in 6. I realize we will only have time to see some of the sights, but I truly can't wait.

So again, I thank you for all and any ideas.

OK, well, first of all, go to www.venere.com . This is probably one of the most complete lists of hotels in Rome. Note that there are two lists - the hotels you can book online, and those you can't (don't miss the latter).

Generally, hotels have a star system - the number of stars indicates the level of services, not how happy people are with the place. venere.com does have a lot of user reviews (take a look at some sample hotels).

You'll need to decide what level of services you want. If you want room service, that deletes most hotels right off the bat (after all, you can walk outside nearly any hotel in Rome and find several eating places within a few feet). If you have to have an elevator (a lot of places don't), that also limits the number of places. If you want a place with a concierge as opposed to a sometimes harried owner for advice, this also limits the number of places.

If, on the other hand, y'all are somewhat adventurous and self-propelled, there are many places all over Rome. Generally, if you stay anywhere inside of a line from Piazza del Popolo/Vatican/Trastevere/St. John Lateran/Stazione Termini/back to Piazza del Popolo, you are in the heart of tourist Rome, and you can walk or take easy public transit anywhere you would want to go. You'll notice that the Piazza Navona/Pantheon suggestion is well within this area. You'll also notice that the Via Veneto area is within the north-eastern edge of this area.

I'm sort of partial to Trastevere myself, which is just across the river from the ancient sites, and it's an area that has more of a neighborhood feeling.

Anyway, does that get you started?

Bill

for 45 mins walk - you can reach the Vatican and Basilica from the Veneto Street... My husband and I did walk when the train workers went on strike. We were with our 4 yr old son on stroller and it was even raining - but the walk was a pretty good excercise for us.

In the area of the Pantheon there is Del Senato that does have some balcony rooms overlooking the Pantheon.
And for a higher price and a doorman, the Crown Minerva on the Piazza Santa Maria Sopra Minerva is just behind the Pantheon.
The Albergo Santa Chiara is a 3 star right next to the Crown, and they have some nice doubles (like rooms 407-408) with balcony.
The Nazionale Montecitorio is on a traffic free piazza and again has some lovely rooms (I like 415..and we have stayed in a few others there but that one was by far the best).
The Hotel Raphael just west of the Piazza Navona is well located and looks very, very nice.
The little Hotel Portoghesi, with the grouchy front desk gentleman, has a wonderful top floor room with a terrace.
Well, you get the idea. There are plenty to chose from in this area. For March, I would directly contact the hotels and see if they have specials.
For example the Nazionale usually has a stay 3 nights pay 2 in the off season.
Good luck~
or and~
airport shuttle. yes there are several companies that will pick you up with a nice car and your name on a card at exit from customs.
this service runs about the same as a cab. € 40-50. There is one we have used that is higher, perhaps €60, but everybody loves his drivers.