Where to stay in Rome - Visiting most sites

You're going to be busy. I hope your group handles jet lag well.

I personally don't think there is a best area of Rome to stay. Certain neighborhoods offer certain things, which may or may not be what you are looking for. You could stay near the Pantheon area, which would be pretty centrally located for getting everywhere you want to go. Other central locations that are popular are Piazza Navona and Campo dei Fiori.

If you prefer a quieter neighborhood, I'd stay closer to the Vatican. It's a little further away from everything but if you use the metro, it doesn't take too long to get from place to place.

Pairing things up in a sensible order might help you decide where to stay. For instance, Vatican/St. Peters should be done together, and not on a day you do anything else time-consuming. Spanish Steps, Trevi, and Pantheon can all be done in a row.

Thank you Liz. The "plan" is to sleep on the flight which leaves at 10:15pm and arrives at 1:00pm local time. If we don't sleep it is going to nasty!

Dave

Hi Dave. I agree that the most central areas would be near the Pantheon or Piazza Navona.

I would definitely take some sort of sleeping medicine on the flight. That's the only way I was able to sleep most of the flight & even then we were pretty tired when we arrived in Rome. Have a wonderful time!

Hi Sheron,

Thank you, that is good advice. Did not think of taking something to help me sleep. Gravol sounds like just the thing!

Dave

My recommendation is stay within walking distance of Termini. Avoid some of the hassle associated with Rome taxis. It is more convenient. And you will need to take the train to Civitavechia. Everything is within walking distance but the Vatican is about an hour walk from the Termini area. But it is also the transit hub so easy to catch buses/trams.

I agree with Frank stay near Termini.It is the best location when arriving and when leaving Rome.It is also on the Metro Line or you can walk most everywhere.

Thanks guys, I appreciate all of you taking the time to help.

Dave

Hey Dave - Just want to put in my two cents worth regarding jet lag. I have recently returned for my third trip to Europe and have again suffered little to no jet lag. I like to take Melatonin for the trip. The pharmacist gives a recommended way to do it - something like starting 2 or 3 days before the trip and then for a couple of days after you get here. I don't like strong sleeping pills when I fly -this is a gentle way to get help. Also, very important to have an eye mask to block the light, ear plugs for the noise, and lastly a great travel pillow of some sort. I went to bed early the first night (like 8:30 or 9:00) and slept 12 hours, but was good to go from that point on. Good luck!!

Hi Melanie,

A good idea, I will check into that. After doing more looking to see what we want to visit, it looks like once the ship docks we are going to tack on 2 extra days at the end. Nothing like being rushed while on vacation :o( This should take some of the stress away. Probably do Rome sights before the ship leaves and then Vatican City when we return.

Thanks,

Dave

Dave, We stayed at Hotel Giardino , from Rick's book. Great location, nice clean room, air worked in August,pleasant helpful staff and adequate breakfast. We walked from termini to the hotel with cruise luggage,bus or taxi optional.Also buses to Vatican just steps away(make reservation for Vatican Museum online

Thanks Cathy, I will check out that hotel. Thanks for the tip on booking the Vatican Museum also.

Dave

We stayed at Al Pantheon con Thomas Mann B&B, literally in the shadows of the Pantheon, footsteps away. The Pantheon in the morning was incredible. I found the place on Venere.com, complete with photos. While the room was nothing to speak of, it was clean, the people were friendly, and it was more like a hotel than staying in someone's spare bedroom. It was like a room on a cruise ship. You dont want to hang around any longer than you have to. An excellent value though. I would recommend staying near the Pantheon/Piazza Navonna area. Everything is within a one mile walking distance. And there's always the metro.