Thursday, December 18, 2008

Top Rental Areas In Rome

By Jill Krammer

Finding apartment accommodations in Rome is an excellent alternative to hotel stays. However, it can be tricky to decide where you want to stay.

There are many different areas you can stay in, and lots of options. If you're not sure where you'd like to rent your apartment, here's a little bit of information about the major neighborhoods to help you.

Spanish Steps This area is filled with elegance, and is host to many high end restaurants, designer stores, and well known bars and clubs. That doesn't mean it's a tourist trap, though - there are plenty of upscale Roman households in this neighborhood.

Piazza Navona By day, this area is popular with tourists and locals, and at night the area's restaurants and bars step in to offer entertainment. The streets in the area are a great place to find boutique shopping opportunities.

Campo de Fiori Dominated during the day by a famous outdoor market, this area is great for watching people. During the summer, the piazza will fill with people enjoying the weather and has a party-like atmosphere.

Trastavere Known for its excellent restaurants and bars, this is a peaceful area in morning, and livelier after nightfall. Great for strolls in the daytime, Trastavere offers old fashioned cobbled streets and beautiful scenery.

Colosseum The Monti neighborhood near the Colosseum is actually one of the oldest neighborhoods in Rome, and offers an incredible, comforting feel. Take a trip to the old trattorias, wander down the beautiful cobblestone streets, or enjoy a short walk to the forum.

Vatican This is a busy area by day, but at night the middle class neighborhoods around the Vatican are quite peaceful. If you mostly want to see the Vatican, this is a convenient and inexpensive place to choose an apartment.

Via Veneto Opened toward the end of the 1880s, this read features shops, great accommodations and elegant cafes. It's one of the classiest areas in Rome, is close to the major sites and attractions, and makes a great choice if you're looking for luxury apartments.

Aventino A peaceful suburb filled with trees and older villas, Aventino is inexpensive and offers peace and quiet. However, it's not far from Trastavere or Testaccio.

Borghese Gardens This is an inexpensive area for apartment rental, but you shouldn't be worried about the location or quality. Use the area's close connections to public transport to reach all the important sights.

Termini There's a lot to see and do around the clock in this area, which is one of the more exciting areas you can choose from. Newly renovated buildings offer elevators, which are a rarity in the city, and you'll have no trouble accessing public transportation.

Of course, these aren't the only areas where you'll be able to find great apartments for your trip to Rome, but they're some of the best choices. It doesn't matter what you prefer - a popular area with lots of attractions and a wonderful night life or a quieter area that offers beauty and peaceful surroundings - you'll find what you're after. - 16003

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