Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Where to stay in Rome and why!

I probably spent more time deciding where to stay in Rome than the time I actually spent in Rome. It was an agonizing decision. Most people want to stay near the historical centre of Rome, and that is where you will spend the majority of your time. But the closer you get to the Trevi Fountain, the more Euros it is going to cost you. And if you, like Tour Guide Jack, travel on a budget, it may be hard to decide how much it's really worth.

First, consider how are you getting into the city? If you are coming by train, disembark at the Termini train station. If you are coming from Fiumicino Airport, you have the usual choices - bus, taxi, train and metro, or airport shuttle. Choose, bearing in mind, cost and convenience, but remember what looks great in theory might not seem so great if you've just gotten off a transatlantic flight. A taxi will set you back about 40 Euros; the Leonardo Express is a direct airport to Termini train costing 11 Euros each. If you are coming by taxi, it won't much matter where in the city centre you end up. If you're coming by train, then there's a lot to be said for staying within walking distance of Termini, the central train station.

Next consider where you will spend your days. If you're a first time tourist, odds are you're going to want to check out the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain. Two of those are located beside Metro stations - the Colosseum and the Spanish Steps. Although Rome is an immensely walkable city, its sheer size will mean at some point you will be wanting to return to your hotel for an afternoon siesta. Staying near Termini, and near a metro station, means you are never more than 1.50 Euros away from a well deserved nap. And if you're trying to pack more into a few days than might be humanly possible, the Metro will be a godsend. Especially when you discover how hard it is to hail a taxi in the Eternal City...

At some point, particularly in the heat of the summer, even the most hardy of explorers may need to put their feet up, and when they do - no need to stop sightseeing - jump on a Hop On, Hop Off bus. The particularly savvy traveler picks a hotel near a Hop On, Hop Off pick up stop. That way, when the day is done, you can hop off and hop right into bed.

If figuring all that out sounds like a lot of work, never fear, that's why Tour Guide Jack is here to help.
If clean and cheap, with a/c sounds good, try Hotel Montreal on Via Carlo Alberto. Free wifi and free breakfast - and an elevator!  A little more money, same street, Mecenate Palace - boasts a roof top terrace with beautiful views. Check them both out on Booking.com. But whichever you choose, choose early. Booking in December for the following July will already mean limited availability. Either one has you minutes from Metro stop Vittorio Emanuele, less than a ten minute walk from Termini train station and just minutes from the Santa Maria Maggiore bus stop. You are four metro stops from both Spagna (the Spanish Steps and Villa Borghese Park), and Colosseo (the Colosseum and Forum), and 7 stops from Ottaviano (the Vatican). And should you decide to splurge, you'll find a taxi stand close by - Piazza Navona is only a 10 Euro ride away!

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