FLEEBALLS

We are looking at staying at the Flaminio apartment booked through Italy Perfect. It is located near Piazza del Popolo in Rome. One of my daughters uses a wheelchair and I am wondering if it is too far away from main attractions.

avalon

Absolutely not, It's just a few steps to the Piazza de Spagna and you can easily walk across the bridge to the Vatican, you can be at Piazza Navona in less than 10 minute walk. You can enter the Metro station and ride the escalators to Via Veneto and the Borghese Gardens. Lots of great cafes there too.There is a supermarket in the metro station and some good alimentarias along Via del Corso

Vttraveler

I think if you were not using the wheelchair you would find the location close enough to the main attractions. It seems a bit far away to me for walking and using the chair. The apartment is slightly NW of the Piazza del Popolo, just east of the Ponte Nenni. This would make it maybe 9 or 10 blocks to the Spanish steps and quite a bit further to the Vatican and the Piazza Navona/Piazza della Rotunda (Pantheon) area

We did not take the metro when we were in Rome, just buses, so I am not really sure how easy they would be to use or whether you would want to take taxis. You would be on a line that goes near the Vatican and over to the Spanish Steps and Piazza Barberini.

ekscrunchy

I have to disagree. It is NOT a less-than-10 minute walk from the Piazza to Piazza Navona. And not a "few steps" to the Spanish Steps!

Or at least I could not walk these distances in anything close to ten minutes. I would not hesitate to stay here, but the location is not all that "close" to the main sights, except for the churches in the Piazza itself. It is certainly a good food area, though!

avalon

It's 3 short blocks from the piazza de Popolo to Pza, de SPagna. We've stayed in that area many times and have walked everywhere. A wheelchair on the cobblestones might be a problem though.

ekscrunchy

I realize that my gait may be impaired by multiple window-shopping pauses but it still would take me more than 10 minutes. Oh well.....I know I am slow, but...

Vttraveler

Fleeballs--I suggest you get a good detailed map of Rome to look at so you can see the distances better for yourself. The one with the SlowTravelItaly website is the one I used and it shows the apartment location and allows you to click and drag to move to other parts of the city.
http://www.italyperfect.com/Rome/Fla...8/page198.html

sac

I agree with ekscrunchy. It's more than a few steps from the Piazza del Popolo to the Spanish Steps, or anywhere else!

This Flaminio apartment is on the far side of the Piazza del Popolo, which I think makes it too far from attractions.

I always stay in the Campo dei Fiori area (I emphasize area, not on the noisy Campo itself!) because it's very central. And it's probably close to about a 30 minute walk to the Campo area from the Piazza del Popolo (unless you walk/jog at a fast clip!) From the Flaminio apartment to Piazza Navona, it's probably a good 20 minute walk.

The Piazza del Popolo is wonderful and you could reach it easily from the Flamino apartment. It would probably be a 10-minute walk to the Spanish steps, but there ia nothing to see there and it is horribly crowded. Further, with a wheelchair, it would be difficult getting around there, I think.

With the wheelchair, you may also find transit very hard to use.

On the Slow Travel website, there are some excellent notes on Accessible Rome written by a woman who uses a wheelchair. It might be of some use to you. Here (I hope!) is the link. http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/accessible/rome/index.htm

Best of luck with your trip planning!

SusanP

I also agree with ekscrunchy. It's much more than a few steps to Piazza de Spagna, plus it's downhill. I wouldn't want to be pushing a wheelchair back up. And definitely a lot more than 10 mins. to Piazza Navona. (avalon must be a VERY fast walker!) And you may be able to go across the bridge toward the Vatican, but I wouldn't call that a short walk, either.

I think the Piazza Navona area would be much better for a wheelchair. Also lots of good bus connections if you can't afford a taxi all the time. The buses do have space for a wheelchair.

SusanP

One other thing when you're looking for apartments...if it's on the ground floor, don't assume there aren't any stairs. I have stayed at a couple of ground-floor apartments that had 1-3 steps, so be sure to ask exactly how you enter the building.

Viajero2

If this was Paris on a wheelchair, I would say with confidence you can wheeled to the main attractions, go at it. However, this is Rome. A completely different story. On this one, you will be using taxis, just plan for it. If you were staying near the Vatican, you could actually wheel around quite a bit, the Vatican and environs are far more accesible than Old Rome. I know this because I have done Paris extensively with a person on a wheelchair, and found it much more accesible than you would think (by the way, people were very, very courteous). On that note, I did a "reconaissance" trip to Rome and I would not attempt to wheeled around old Rome on a wheelchair. I would only stay around the Vatican. Old Rome cobblestones' streets are horrendous on a wheelchair and that would be the least of my worries; vespas and crazy-nutty traffic would be nerve-racking.

cmeyer54

No

FLEEBALLS

Thanks so much for your prompt replies. I realise that it would be better to be closer to Piazza Navona or Campo dei Fiori however after weeks of research I have not been able to find a suitably wheelchair friendly apartment. If any one has stayed at one I would appreciate the details.

avalon- thank you especially for starting a lively debate .. it all helps

sac- thanks for such a great website it is fantastic research which will be very helpful. unfortunately she doesn't give apartment suggestions.

Susan P- Yes I have definitely discovered that ground floor doesn't mean no steps. We are a little more fortunate than some as my daughter can walk up a couple of steps and short distances.

Viajero2- your comments are very reasuring as we are also spending a week in Paris. Your comment regarding the area near the Vatican have given me food for thought. Thank you

sac

Fleeballs, this agency has gotten some good mentions on Slow Travel and this apartment (ground floor level for one bedroom as well as living area) looks quite nice.

http://www.rome-accom.com/accommodat...stroianni.aspx

This agency also gets good mentions and this apartment is in a good location. It's on the third floor, with an elevator (although you'd certainly want to find out how reliable the elevator is; if there are steps to get into the building, that sort of thing) http://www.domusintl.com/new_front_end/apartments_f.htm

Just a few ideas -- but you might want to check out the reviews for apartment rentals on Slow Travel.

FLEEBALLS

Thanks I am checking out your suggestions now. Very much appreciated. Should mention there are 4 of us travelling H/W and two daughters

avalon

I,ve been saving this apt for future use. You might see if it is suitable for you

http://www.vrbo.com/124068

happytotravel

Or how about these, plenty of good reviews and an elevator.
http://www.palazzo-olivia.it/

mvor

We love Palazzo Olivia (stayed there in '06 and '05 and have sent some friends there this September); however, please note that the staircase is winding (see pic on their site) so if the elevator was broken (it never was either time that we were there), it may be more difficult for you and your daughter.

I'd recommend you call Carla (manager) directly with your questions; she is very helpful and kind as is the owner who lives on the upper floor:

office (+39) 0668216986

Have a terrific trip!

Viajero2

Freeballs-- check holiday-rentals.com. You can sort properties by location and wheelchair accesibility.

WillTravel

I think the metro would be difficult with a wheelchair. I can't comment on the elevator availability, but the mere fact of how crowded it can be would make it difficult.

You may find this article helpful:
http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/accessible/rome/index.htm