Rome area question

Apologies for yet another Rome question...

I am looking for budget accomodation for Rome, and have some specific
questions. I've found a place with reasonable rates just two blocks
north of the station, around Piazza Indipendenza.

What I am really wondering is:

1) whether the area is safe to walk around at night, for two small
female, as we will most likely stay out fairly late at night
-alternatively, what's public transport like at night?
2) how long does it take to walk to the Vatican from the station (we're
young and can walk at reasonable speed)
3) is there any realistic difference between the area just west of the
station (below via Cavour) and the area just north? this would help me
broaden my search a bit.
4) is air-condition an important thing to consider in mid-May?
5) finally, if anyone has stayed at Pensione Papa Germano, any comments?

Usually finding accomodation is an easy task for me, but I am traveling
with a companion who does not do dorm rooms nor shared bathrooms, so a
bit limited, given my budget is always "as low as possible..."

Thanks much!!

-Vicky

On Tue, 10 Feb 2004 02:51:14 -0500, Vicky wrote:


Apologies for yet another Rome question...

I am looking for budget accomodation for Rome, and have some specific
questions. I've found a place with reasonable rates just two blocks
north of the station, around Piazza Indipendenza.

What I am really wondering is:

1) whether the area is safe to walk around at night, for two small
female, as we will most likely stay out fairly late at night
-alternatively, what's public transport like at night?
2) how long does it take to walk to the Vatican from the station (we're
young and can walk at reasonable speed)

If you want to do a lot of walking, this is not your area, as it's not
near many of the tourist sites. Do consider going to the areas of
Piazza Navona, Campo dei Fiori, or former Jewish Ghetto. If you want
really cheap places, get a copy of Let's Go Rome, which has choices in
these areas.

4) is air-condition an important thing to consider in mid-May?

Not in my opinion.

5) finally, if anyone has stayed at Pensione Papa Germano, any comments?

I think this is one of the places listed in Let's Go Rome. I've never
stayed there as I find the area inconvenient.

Usually finding accomodation is an easy task for me, but I am traveling
with a companion who does not do dorm rooms nor shared bathrooms, so a
bit limited, given my budget is always "as low as possible..."

I think you may have to pay a little bit more to stay in the areas
I've mentioned, but not a whole lot and the extra convenience will
make it worth your while.

I posted in response to a similar question yesterday. You should be
able to find my post using google. The person I was responding to had
a slightly higher budget than you do, but the advice is valid also for
you.
-----------
Barbara Vaughan
My email address is my first initial followed by my surname at libero dot it
I answer travel questions only in the newsgroup

In article ,
B wrote:

On Tue, 10 Feb 2004 02:51:14 -0500, Vicky wrote:


Apologies for yet another Rome question...

I am looking for budget accomodation for Rome, and have some specific
questions. I've found a place with reasonable rates just two blocks
north of the station, around Piazza Indipendenza.

What I am really wondering is:

1) whether the area is safe to walk around at night, for two small
female, as we will most likely stay out fairly late at night
-alternatively, what's public transport like at night?
2) how long does it take to walk to the Vatican from the station (we're
young and can walk at reasonable speed)

If you want to do a lot of walking, this is not your area, as it's not
near many of the tourist sites. Do consider going to the areas of
Piazza Navona, Campo dei Fiori, or former Jewish Ghetto. If you want
really cheap places, get a copy of Let's Go Rome, which has choices in
these areas.

absolutely


4) is air-condition an important thing to consider in mid-May?

Not in my opinion.

in Italy many areas do not turn on the air conditioning until much later
regardless of the heat anyway -- and we have never needed it in May

one exception -- late last May the opera in Florence in the smaller
antique venue the Pergola was so hot we thought we would all die -- just
awful -- we just assumed that they had no air conditioning -- when we
returned for a ballet performance on a staggeringly hot day in late
June, the venue WAS air conditioned. They simply don't authorize
cooling in May -- in many regions heating is also calendar and not
weather based -- I would bet that a budget hotel with air conditioning
in Rome [rare in itself] would not turn it on in May regardless

5) finally, if anyone has stayed at Pensione Papa Germano, any comments?

I think this is one of the places listed in Let's Go Rome. I've never
stayed there as I find the area inconvenient.

Usually finding accomodation is an easy task for me, but I am traveling
with a companion who does not do dorm rooms nor shared bathrooms, so a
bit limited, given my budget is always "as low as possible..."

I think you may have to pay a little bit more to stay in the areas
I've mentioned, but not a whole lot and the extra convenience will
make it worth your while.

I posted in response to a similar question yesterday. You should be
able to find my post using google. The person I was responding to had
a slightly higher budget than you do, but the advice is valid also for
you.
-----------
Barbara Vaughan
My email address is my first initial followed by my surname at libero dot it
I answer travel questions only in the newsgroup

In article , Jenn
wrote:

In article ,
B wrote:


If you want to do a lot of walking, this is not your area, as it's not
near many of the tourist sites. Do consider going to the areas of
Piazza Navona, Campo dei Fiori, or former Jewish Ghetto. If you want
really cheap places, get a copy of Let's Go Rome, which has choices in
these areas.

absolutely


Unfortunately, these areas are just out of the question for me, as much
as I'd like to stay there. This is after pouring through a *lot* of
books (including Let's Go and Lonely Planet, for sure). The price
difference is at least about 20 to 30 euros per night, per person.
Since we'll be in Rome for 5 nights, that's over 100 euros - a lot of
money for someone on a student budget. And Rome is only one of the
cities we'll be visiting during this trip.

I found a cheap studio apartment further up north, to the west of
Spanish Steps area. I wonder if it is any better for walking around
than the train station.

Ultimately, convenience is nice, but not essential. I tend to walk
quite a bit when I am traveling, so I just wanted get a sense of how
big is the area in central Rome.

Thanks for the rest of the tips!

-Vicky

In article , Jenn
wrote:

In article ,
B wrote:


If you want to do a lot of walking, this is not your area, as it's not
near many of the tourist sites. Do consider going to the areas of
Piazza Navona, Campo dei Fiori, or former Jewish Ghetto. If you want
really cheap places, get a copy of Let's Go Rome, which has choices in
these areas.

absolutely


Unfortunately, these areas are just out of the question for me, as much
as I'd like to stay there. This is after pouring through a *lot* of
books (including Let's Go and Lonely Planet, for sure). The price
difference is at least about 30 to 40 euros per night. Since we'll be
in Rome for 5 nights, that's over 150 euros - a lot of money for
someone on a student budget. And Rome is only one of the cities we'll
be visiting during this trip.

I found a cheap studio apartment further up north, to the west of
Spanish Steps area. I wonder if it is any better for walking around
than the train station.

Ultimately, convenience is nice, but not essential. I tend to walk
quite a bit when I am traveling, so I just wanted get a sense of how
big is the area in central Rome.

Thanks for the rest of the tips!

-Vicky

I've researched many hostels nearer the Coliseum/Old Rome and the
Vatican within your price range; use the "locate on map" feature...

http://www.hostels.com/

Maybe I'll see you in May!

Tim K

"Vicky" wrote in message
...
In article , Jenn
wrote:

In article ,
B wrote:


If you want to do a lot of walking, this is not your area, as it's
not
near many of the tourist sites. Do consider going to the areas of
Piazza Navona, Campo dei Fiori, or former Jewish Ghetto. If you
want
really cheap places, get a copy of Let's Go Rome, which has
choices in
these areas.

absolutely


Unfortunately, these areas are just out of the question for me, as
much
as I'd like to stay there. This is after pouring through a *lot* of
books (including Let's Go and Lonely Planet, for sure). The price
difference is at least about 20 to 30 euros per night, per person.
Since we'll be in Rome for 5 nights, that's over 100 euros - a lot of
money for someone on a student budget. And Rome is only one of the
cities we'll be visiting during this trip.

I found a cheap studio apartment further up north, to the west of
Spanish Steps area. I wonder if it is any better for walking around
than the train station.

Ultimately, convenience is nice, but not essential. I tend to walk
quite a bit when I am traveling, so I just wanted get a sense of how
big is the area in central Rome.

Thanks for the rest of the tips!

-Vicky

Vicky, good choice! That is a very nice area. Full of police because it
is close to the main Government buildings. It is at walking distance to
the nice area for evening which is Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Campo dei
Fiori. You can even cross the river to Trastevere from there.
It is also close to Villa Borghese, a huge green park with centuty old
trees and statues scatered all over.

Well I know the area well because that is where I am in my office
supposed to be working in this moment... 5 minutes walk from Spanish
steps... so if you'll want to offer me a cofee in the oldest Caffe of
Italy "Caffè Greco" I can give you more advice when you get here :-)

Giacomo

Vicky wrote:

In article , Jenn
wrote:


In article ,
B wrote:


If you want to do a lot of walking, this is not your area, as it's not
near many of the tourist sites. Do consider going to the areas of
Piazza Navona, Campo dei Fiori, or former Jewish Ghetto. If you want
really cheap places, get a copy of Let's Go Rome, which has choices in
these areas.

absolutely



Unfortunately, these areas are just out of the question for me, as much
as I'd like to stay there. This is after pouring through a *lot* of
books (including Let's Go and Lonely Planet, for sure). The price
difference is at least about 30 to 40 euros per night. Since we'll be
in Rome for 5 nights, that's over 150 euros - a lot of money for
someone on a student budget. And Rome is only one of the cities we'll
be visiting during this trip.

I found a cheap studio apartment further up north, to the west of
Spanish Steps area. I wonder if it is any better for walking around
than the train station.

Ultimately, convenience is nice, but not essential. I tend to walk
quite a bit when I am traveling, so I just wanted get a sense of how
big is the area in central Rome.

Thanks for the rest of the tips!

-Vicky