Jack N. Says:
Hi Chip,
I love Italy and am planning to visit Rome for three months this summer. Do you have any advice?
IL Italy Correspondent Chip Stites Says:
Hi Jack,
Glad to hear that Italy has your heart and you’re planning a visit!
It may seem basic, but I would suggest first studying a map of the city and deciding where you want to base yourself.
Would you fancy having Nero’s Domus Aurea, Trajan’s Market, the Esquiline Hill, and the Basilica of St. Maria Maggiore on your doorstep? Consider the Monti neighborhood, which lies between the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. This neighborhood is one of Rome’s most ancient quarters. Narrow streets like Via dei Serpenti and Via Panisperna burst with character and are home to many little artisan shops, grocery stores, and restaurants.
Another neighborhood to consider is Prati. It isn’t as ancient as the centro storico on the other side of the river Tiber. However, as it’s pretty much tourist-free, you get that wonderful feeling of authenticity. Its shops and restaurants are where the Romans go. There’s a nice park and the metro (subway) provides easy access back to the core of the city.
Since you’re visiting for a few months, it’s worth considering a rental apartment rather than a hotel.
Roman Homes rents properties to vacationers as well as to foreign students and academics. The cost of vacation and short-term rentals (one to three months) includes the agency commission and an allowance for gas and electricity. The only extra is likely to be for outgoing phone calls.
Weekly prices vary with the season, but you’ll have to ask if you want to know about discounted prices (they aren’t listed on the website).
Roman Reference offers furnished apartments, all centrally located, from €410 to €799 ($446 to $869) per week for budget options; €800 to €1,000 ($868 to $1,085) for moderate apartments; and €1,100 ($1,193) and up for deluxe-class properties. Shorter stays of three nights are also available, and there’s a discount for stays of more than two weeks in some cases.
You don’t need a visa for a stay of less than 90 days. But be aware that 90 days is not exactly the same as three months, so plan your stay accordingly.
I do hope this has helped you. Enjoy your summer in Rome!
Got a Question?
Send your thoughts to mailbag@internationalliving.com. We’ll post and respond to as many of your emails as we can right here in the e-letter.