Rome holiday apartment: Rome

This apartment is a real gem and better than we ever imagined with everything needed for a self catering holiday. We were met at the Metro by Angela and Paolo and given a quick tour of the local area pointing out where to catch buses and location of the supermarket etc. Angela supplied us with a map of Rome and detailed local bus information. There was a stock of basic essentials supplied on our arrival.
The supermarket is within a 5 minute walk, very easy to find and selling everything needed. The number 44 bus (10 minutes walk away) delivers you into the heart of Rome, a 35 minute ride for 1 euro. From here you can visit many of the main attractions on foot if you are prepared to walk and map read, with refreshments at every turn.
We would recommend visiting the 4 National Roman Museums, a 3 day ticket for 7 euros (excellent value) gets you into all four (don't miss Palazzo Massimo if you want to see amazing Roman mosaics and wall paintings). If you plan to visit the Vatican Museum we would recommend you make a very early start, the queue is horrendous. The queue for St Peters looks terrible but moves fast. Visit the dome for 5 euros, don't bother with the lift the first steps are easy compared with those you can't avoid and you'll save the queue for the lift, the best coffee we found in Rome was on the roof for 1 euro!
Swift transfer to the airport on our departure.

We stayed at the apartment in August 2009, and found it to be outstanding. The decor, cleanliness, personal touches and standards were superb. Angela and Paolo have gone to great trouble to make the apartment a fantastic place to stay. Luxury!
The hospitality of the whole family was superb, nothing was too much trouble and they were very warm and friendly. Our stay was wonderful as a result; it was the best holiday we've ever had! I corresponded with Angela via email prior to the visit, to ask questions, arrange things etc and she replied quickly and with great advice and help. Paolo and his daughter met us at the airport, a welcome relief to disembark from the flight and feel that we had landed in safe hands! We had ordered a meal to eat upon arrival; it was beautiful, plentiful and was the perfect way to start the holiday.
The area is perfect; close to supermarkets and bus stops and other shops and facilities too. There was an outdoor swimming pool 10 mins walk away. We loved having the supermarket close by - there were no supermarkets that we could see in the centre of Rome, so being a little way out was perfect. We bought our food, cooked at home in the evening and ate in the beautiful dining area.
In the morning, we took the number 44 bus into Rome, and this brought us straight to the Piazza Venezia, right in the centre of Rome, a few steps from the Imperial Forum. I would recommend taking this bus from the road called Sirtori, and getting off at Ribotti. This is very easy, Angela provides maps and is always on hand to help with any questions! There is also a bus that goes close to the Vatican; the number 33. The buses cost 1 Euro for 75 mins, and the tickets can be bought at the tobacconists in the precinct 5 mins away, on the way to the bus stop. Our father in law (who has a pacemaker) and our 2 children (aged 5 + 13) found this short walk no problem, in nearly 40 degree heat! In fact we found the whole holiday to be an adventure - we felt that we were living a real Roman experience - going in on the bus in the morning, visiting Trastevere, going to the market, etc. It was truly wonderful. Angela and Paolo and their daughter Elena were marvellous, so thoughtful and friendly, they made the holiday absolutely brilliant.
The laptop was great- in the evening, after visiting the sights, we could learn more about what we had seen. Also we went on Google Maps to find out about the area. Very useful!
A brilliant hol - thank you! :) We recommend it!

We had a wonderful holiday staying at angela and paolo,s apartment. Being picked up at airport with no hassles of looking for taxi,s or transport was a bonus. The apartment was beautful and clean and exactly as described. angela and her family made sure we had everything we needed and more and could not have been more helpful or friendly. the 10 minute walk to the bus was rewarded by cappucino and cake at the passitiere at the top, the supermarket was a five minute walk it was a great way to sample local culture. We definately made the rigtht choice.