Hi planning itly trip

This should help on your 2nd request-- https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/best-italy-guidebook

Regarding AirBnB, I only will stay at properties with SuperHosts. Ue the filter options on the web site to narrow down locations that best suit your needs.

what kind of information are you looking for? staying with superhosts only is a good start.

Suggestions about AirBNB- Read the descriptions and make sure you know what part of the city you will be in, is public transportation close, what you are getting yourself into as far as your check out commitments (Trash, bedding etc)! Then read about 20 reviews (Use google translate if needed) to understand about possible noise, construction, stairs or lack of elevators etc. Make sure your arrival time coincides with the check in time, as many will not allow a bag drop off while you wait. I only stay in apartments with 100+ reviews, superhosts are even better, generous cancellation policy.
Famous things to see? Grab a guide book or just google and you will get a list, not sure what your into or how much time you have in each place.

Hi Sheela,

Rome is a very walkable city - unless you have some restrictions.

Everything you may want to see is in close proximity to each other in the city center.

One (distance) exception is the Vatican, St. Peter's Basilica and Castel Sant'Angelo - all in very close proximity to each other but a bit far from other sites.

Vaticano and St. Peter's Basilica are in the same Piazza while Castel Sant'Angelo is a short distance from Vatican City.

It is always the best idea to check each individual website of each attraction to get the most up-to-date policies and/or restrictions. Make sure you know about covid restrictions and bag policies. The Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica have security checks.

St. Peter's Basilica is easy to navigate on your own. Entry is free if you go to visit only that without a visit to the Vatican.

https://stpetersbasilica.info/floorplan.htm

The Pantheon https://www.pantheonroma.com/2020/07/15/covid-19-general-info/

There are the Diocletian Baths.

There is Saint Paul's Church.

If you plan on going to the timed entry of the Borghese Gallery museum, they do not allow any large bags. They have been allowing a small 8x5 crossbody purse according to some.

Here are some helpful videos you may want to watch.

Rome (Roma) in a nutshell.
https://youtu.be/V2VcEkPaeF4

Florence (Firenze)https://youtu.be/S0_zfTN5_jI (updated)

Italy.it on YouTube has some other nice glimpses into Italy.

Also on youtube, check out the account of RomeWise. She has been married to a native Roman and has been living in Rome for over 20 years. She has a lot of informative videos.

Also for your consideration, the tour groups called Walks of Italy, The Roman Guy, and a few others. Their websites offer half day or full day city tours of Rome and Florence. Most of the Florence ones, you need to be in Florence.

They also have some helpful tips on their websites.

Another thing you can do is search this travel forum.

Go to the top of the page. In the search box, put in a couple of keywords. Hit go! Filter by travel forums and then filter by date - perhaps looking for info within the last year or 6 months of Italian travel.

Again, always confirm on the direct websites of each attraction and restaurant to ensure you get the most up-to-date policy info.

There are many, many churches in Rome that you do not need to buy a timed entry ticket. Each one is a small museum in itself.

Check out, Largo di torre Argentina.

https://www.turismoroma.it/en/places/largo-di-torre-argentina.

Be mindful when walking around the city. Keep valuables in a very safe place - NO money, cards, passport, or phone in an easy accessible pocket or backpack. Use big city common sense, and you will be fine.

You may come across the street vendors selling scarves, umbrellas (at the first drop of rain), or trinkets.

My suggestion for eating is to explore the little side alleys of small mom and pop restaurants or family style.

Most of the time you will get the most for your Euro. There are also a few sandwich shops that you could buy and eat while on the go.

Larger, fancier restaurants surrounding all the piazzas will be more expensive and cater more towards the "tourist."

If you come across Simply Market or Carrefour, you can grab some eats there too.

Walk over to Piazza Navona, grab a bench, people watch, and enjoy your "market" lunch.

Termini Station also has choices for inexpensive eating.

Check out the live cams in Italy to get an idea of how each Piazza looks.

https://www.skylinewebcams.com/en/webcam/italia.html

(Rome is in Lazio.
Florence is in Tuscany.)

I hope some of these suggestions have been helpful to you.

Rome is a lot of fun. I love it.

Do a bit of viewing, reading, and researching making you a bit prepared for your trip to three wonderful cities.