thanks Sean! maybe now i can breathe a sigh of relief! its the first time i'll be taking my kids away by myself and i've got that stomach churning feeling of wondering whether i'm doing the right thing,the tips really help. Rome is up there on our list of 'places to visit before we die',morbid sounding i know but theres so many on the list we thought we'd better get started! my son is a keen Dan Brown fan so he'll be pleased

Donna

Donna,

My review of the hotel is posted on the HT Hotel reviews;

http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/reviews/italy/rome/palladium-palace-hotel/

Also link to the Tripadvisor ratings about the hotel, where it seems to get mostly favourable reviews, and is rated number 82 out of 992 hotels in Rome.

http://rome-hotels.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187791-d228950-Reviews-Hotel_Palladium_Palace-Rome_Lazio.html

Sean

sean,

thanks for the links, i discovered trip advisor AFTER i'd booked the first 2 hotels! the travel agent said i was 'over reacting!' when i read the reviews for the 'hotel edera' on trip advisor, if you get chance have a look and see what you think. He said i could only make a realistic judgement AFTER i'd been and stayed at the hotel! tried to explain that by that time i'd have wasted my money AND my holiday and i couldn't afford to take the risk

Donna

could anyone tell me if they have stayed in the portamaggiore hotel in rome and what is like also does anyone know the price of regal cigarettes in rome

I have booked to go to Rome for 4 days in December, not booked a decent hotel can anyone recommend one near to the centre, are the restaurants expensive, and do you think it will be warm and busy?
Thanks a mil

Hi Mandii

You may find some suggestions HERE

Pippy

Not stayed in the portamaggiore hotel ill let you know the prices of fags when i get back as going over on monday so let you know in a week or so

Hello There,

My partner and I have booked to go to Rome 30/12 - 02/01. I was wondering if anybody has previous experience of Rome at this time of year and can provide any guidance on things to do!!

Many Thanks in Advance

Hi Macas

You may also like to post in the City Breaks forum HERE

Pippy

Has anyone stayed in the Windrose Hotel in Rome, thinking of going for a few nights in March/April of next year

We have a holiday booked to Rome in February, Tues to Fri. My partner however was made redundant just before Christmas, but as he hasn`t been in this job for 2 years our insurance doesn`t cover us for redundancy, so rather than lose the money for the flight and hotel, we have decided we will still go. Any money-saving tips will be greatly appreciated. We will be catching the train from the airport to the hotel, have checked that out, but any further tips would be really helpful. Should add we are staying at the Holiday Inn at Via Assissi. I want to still make it a holiday to remember. Many thanks in advance. Di.

Hi

We did Rome on a budget last September, and it is certainly possible.
Save on bottled water by using the taps that are frequently located on the streets, it is perfectly safe to drink (I get holiday tummy, but I was fine, so it must be ok).
Don't buy any drinks from shops around the Trevi fountain, the prices are ridiculous!
You can pick up a cheap sandwich or pastry from the SPAR, there are various located in Rome. They sell cheap beer and wine too, and you can always sit and eat outside on a bench, rather than pay over the odds in a pavement cafe.
Do not eat on one of the main tourist squares, and pay attention to the prices, which should all be on display outside the restaurant. Generally if you go to pizzeria or trattoria they are cheaper than restaurants, and I would always recommend looking for places off the beaten track, not only are they cheaper but the food is often much better. You should be able to eat pizza or pasta for 4 or 5 Euros, and the local house wine is also usually reasonable.
Do not get taxis if poss, they are very expensive. If you must, make sure you agree the price in advance.
Lots of things are free to look at such as the Trevi fountain, Pantheon, circus maximus and spanish steps, other places charge, but its not a fortune.
Rome is walkable on foot, we never took any transport once we arrived in the centre, plus you get to see more by walking.
You will love it, and it can be as cheap or expensive as you make it, like anywhere I guess!
Hope that helps, and have fun!

Re the Trevi fountain- if you go 2 mins down one of the side streets you may well strike lucky like we did and had great pizza and wine very cheaply.

Please don't forget to look after what you have got ... pickpockets in Rome are a REAL PAIN - especially around the railway station (Roma Termini).

You should be able to visit on foot but take VERY COMFY shoes!! If there is a market on, you should be able to enjoy it and take advantage of fresh fruit and salad veg at good prices. Menu del giorno at lunch can be good value, and pasta is much cheaper than a meat course.

The open top red bus tour is very reasonable in Rome, we paid €12 last May and thats 24 hour hop on and off.

Sarah

Thankyou everybody for all your help, I`m sure we will have a great time. And after having my purse stolen when I visited Paris last year,I will be extra careful.
Di.

I believe your hotel is outside central Rome?? If so, then you may find the Roma Pass good value. It costs 18 euros and gives you free transport for 3 days and also includes entry to 2 of the museums.

i am heading to rome for 4 nights on 19th january. i am a bit worried about not gewtting to see all there is. i basically would like to know the main places to visit, how to get to them, admissions fees and also best places to eat? any advice would be wonderful.

Hi rocal and welcome to HT!

I have merged your post with an existing topic and you may find some useful information in earlier posts.

luci