monkeybrown

Which area is the est area to be able to find relaxing areas, and good reasonably priced food snacks and drinks. We are basiclaly trying to decide between something near colloseum or the spanish steps.

bianca1975

I always stay in the historic center -- anywhere near Spanish Steps, Navona, Trevi, Fiori. I know there are those that may prefer Trastevere, near the Vatican or near the Colosseum, but I like to be in the areas I mentioned because you can easily walk everywhere, and can still walk to Trastevere, Vatican and the Colosseum, even though they are slightly longer walks (anywhere from 10-20 minutes depending on your pace). As far as relaxing -- I find most of Rome (at least the parts I've been to) pretty buzzing with life and wouldn't exactly call any of these areas relaxing. Except for hanging out in the Borghese gardens -- that was I'll admit pretty chill. I suggest renting an apartment vs. a hotel -- if you rent a one bedroom, you'll have a nice living room to kick back in, and a kitchen where you can make a nice cold drink for yourself while you put your feet up for a while and prepare for the action that awaits you outside your door. Much nicer environment than relaxing in a hotel in my opinion! Happy Planning!

Julie_Hurst

I agree with everything bianca said. More specifically, we like the Navona area. But any she mentioned is good, IMO.

Julie

wliwl

Relaxing?! It's Rome! Nothing is relaxing there. LOL

(I like Campo de Fiori.)

LESLIEMOMOF6

I also agree with all the posts - the Piazza Navona area, the Parthenon area, those are my favorite - we stayed at the Locanda Senatorum this summer, it's right between the 2 and it was fabulous - you can literally walk anywhere from there. And I highly recommend that hotel, it was one of the best I have ever stayed in-I sent and email to the hotel and got a great deal on the room, pleading my case with the lousy exchange rate - and it worked, Regardless of where you land, do try to negotiate the room rate-the Romans do love American tourists- and will usually work with you. Good luck and bon voyage

ekscrunchy

You all must be fast walkers to be able to cover the ground from the Spanish Steps to the Vatican in 20 minutes!

bianca1975

You're right ekscrunchy -- my last few apartments were closer to Navona and Trevi -- the last one in particular on CVEII near maybe 4 blocks form the Tiber and from there it is an easy walk to the Vatican and also to the Spanish steps. If you're near the Spanish steps vs. Navona/Fiore you'll need to factor in another 10-15 minutes.

tower

Monkey:
don't overlook the little boats that ply the Tiber...you can get to the Vatican from the Spanish Steps area...by walking to the boat stop at Ponte Cavour...get off at next stop (St. Angelo) and take the short walk to the Vatican. The boats will take you from Cavour all the way to Trastevere fo about 1-2 Euros. Great way to go.
stu T.

bianca1975

Typing too fast today -- I know that you Fodorites are sticklers for typos. I was going to say near the Tiber but changed my mind and decided to give a better idea other than near so typed in about 4 blocks but forgot to get rid of the "near" and then I wrote form instead of from. I have never felt the need to correct myself over mistakes that are trivial and clearly typos rather than misspellings. But here there are some harsh critics who try to demoralize you if you, god forbid, have a typo or three in your postings. I wish it weren't so.