We are a family of five traveling with two other couples, and are looking to spend three nights in Rome, and four nights at the Sorrento Hilton. We're traveling next July, arriving after a week in Mallorca.

Please help: I have been to many European locales, but not Italy. Any recommendations for reasonably priced Rome hotels that would comfortably accommodate a family? Good location is important. The Hilton is way too pricey, but open to anything else.

Also, our kids will be ages 14, 13 & 11. Anything in particular that would appeal to them? We all like soccer. Is there a tour of the Lazio or AS Roma training sites?

Lastly, the easiest way to reach Sorrento from Rome is rail, I presume. Are there direct links, or just train to Naples and then a Taxi.

Thank you for your patience and help.

Have you considered an apartment? It might be a lot cheaper than several hotel rooms.



From Rome to Naples, the train is probably the best. You want to go to Napoli Centrale. From there you can take a taxi to the hydrofoils to get to Sorrento or walk downstairs to the Circumvesuvia train to Sorrento. (The engine compartments have luggage racks. There should be several engines on the train, connected every two cars, or so)

There are private cars and shuttles, but they can get expensive.

If you decide to fly, the Curreri bus is the best way from the airport. It's right outside of the luggage area, and takes you to the center of Sorrento.

http://www.sorrento-online.com/english/orari.htm
http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html
http://www.bus.it/curreri/autolinee.htm

As with any big city, keep your eyes open in Naples! @:-)

Have you considered an apartment? It might be a lot cheaper than several hotel rooms.

Actually, this would be a preferred option. Have you had any experience with rentingan apartment in rome?

You state that location is important, then you should be happy that the Hilton is way too pricey, its very far out of town. Beautiful views but not convenient to anything.

As for renting apts, I've done this on a # of occasions. It may or may not turn out to be cheaper. A couple of other things to consider: many rentals run on a weekly basis, so finding something for three nights - esp. in high season - could be a problem. Also, be sure to confirm the availability, use, and price of air conditioning up front. I know more than one visitor who has booked a place w/a-c only to be told they have to pay extra for its use, etc..

Don't let the name confuse you, but I've used the agency

http://www.venice-rentals.com

on more than one occasion for Rome, very good apts, very trustworthy agency. You might also look into hotels that have family rooms. IIRC the Hotel Cesari in Rome has family rooms. Great hotel located just behind the Pantheon.

Finally, ChgoBob provides excellent advice re: Naples - Keep your wallet/valuables close, including your luggage on the train.

Thank you for the excellent advice. We'll be vigilant in Naples (and Rome) for sure. Fortunately, we plan to spend little time there en route to Sorrento.

We are alloting four nights in Sorrento. Our musts are Pompeii, Capri, and the coast towns of Positano, Amalfi, Ravello. Is this realistic?

You should be ok w/that.

Yes, we have rented several times. The more familiar that you get with Rome, the further out from the center you can go, and save money.

We stayed here once. http://www.pantheonapartment.com/

Quite expensive, but the rooms are huge. Several people can actually sleep on the couches in the living room, besides the 2 bedrooms.

Location is within a few steps of the Pantheon, and across the street from Tazza d' Oro coffee shop. Trevi and Piazza Navonna are a few minute walk in opposite directions, and it's midway between the Colliseum and Spanish Steps.

The apartments are handled by the Hotel next door, so someone is always available, and the young men spoke fluent English.

We stayed at the Express by Holiday Inn San Giovanni. http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/...questid=299186
Excellent. Included breakfast was amazing. Eggs, bacon, outstanding pastries, even sandwich fixings. The HIE is near a major railway station, a short walk to the metro and close to a bus stop. There are several restaurants nearby. The kids would probably enjoy one called Pastarito, Pizzarito or something like that.

Try the Express by Holiday Inn - San giovanni.
It's excellent, with an amazing breakfast buffet included.
It is close to a major railway station and a short walk to the metro. There is a bus stop at the end of the street. There is a inexpensive chain pizza and pasta restaurant near by.

www.romeby.com offers a great selection of all types of accommodations in Rome (Hotels, B&B, apartments ...).

I recently stayed at the Jolly Hotel Vittorio Veneto. Very nice hotel for the money. We stayed 4 nights and (at least when I booked it) you got the last night free if you stay 4 nights. Good location, room was decent size, and you get a nice buffet breakfast in the morning as well. It's within walking distance of the Spanish Steps; however, we took taxis to most places as the cabs seemed relatively cheap.

yes, you can do many by bus or the circumvesuviana if you are not afraid to drive.

I will search for the site we used to book our last apartment when we couldn't get into our regular digs.

Funny thing, I had taken a picture of the door of the building a few months earlier.

You need to be very specific book as to how many people and how many beds. Also look carefully at the pictures. We turned down a few because the bathrooms looked tiny and no shower.

Depending on the time of year, that could be an issue.

Here is site that we used to review the rentals.

Have fun, Rome is my favorite city.

I don't think Lazio's grounds (Formello - to the north of the city) or Roma's (Trigoria - to the south of the city) will have tours. If they let in public, its usually up to the coach and I know Roma no longer lets the public in unless its an open training session or a youth match/senior team scrimmage since the coach has requested that.

As a hardcore Roma fan, I strongly urge you to buy your kids Roma jerseys or jackets or something like that. Authentic stuff too, though its not cheap. People's faces in public will light up and they'll get lots of smiles and frowns (Lazio fans). If they speak Italian, be ready for people just to walk upto them and debate/ask questions about Roma and their views.. I love it. The least they will get are looks, smiles and waves...Whatever you do, and I mean whatever, please do not buy them Juventus gear (Roma fans, and well anyone in Italy save for Juve fans), hate Juve given their cheating and scummy past.

If you're going to Naples, do yourself a favor and eat at l'antica pizzeria da Michele (near stazione central) or pizzeria di matteo (more downtown tougher to find).

In Rome take time to wander the streets and alleyways of Trastevere, as well as those in and around Campo dei fiori and the areas between piazza navona and the pantheon..

Eat gelato, lots of it, make giolitti (near the pantheon) and della palma some of your first stops.

Rome's my favorite city in the world. Enjoy it!