I myself would take the train between Florence and Rome; the drive isn't terribly interesting and you usually pay considerably more to return the car in a different location from where you picked it up.

You will really have only two full days in Rome, and I would stay as centrally as possible to minimize travel time.

The less expensive hotels in Italy (and €125 is surely less expensive) rarely have a real double bed; the norm is two singles made up as one bed. That's even what we have in our home. Free wifi in the room is also rather rare. To get these, you might have to pay considerably more than you're planning to spend.

I've had very spotty luck with hotel wifi in Italy anyway, even in places that have it in theory. I stayed in a 4-star in Rome this spring that supposedly had wifi (which I paid for), but I never succeeded in connecting to it. They didn't have anyone at the reception who knew anything about the settings. They ended up giving me the password for their business account, but although I connected to that, the signal was almost nonexistent in the room and even in the lobby, it was so excruciatingly slow that I found it useless.

Private baths, on the other hand, are the norm.

I don't know of any hotels in the center that meet your requirements, but maybe someone else does.

I would leave the car in Florence and train to Rome.

All the areas you mention in Rome are great areas to stay in and are close to the sites. The best city center areas are navona, pantheon, trevi and colosseum. The less expansive areas in the city are veneto, termini, trastevere, and vatican. All are within walking distance of the sites, close to metro stations and other public transportation.

You can check out venere.com for hotels. the hotel Pantheon gets good reviews and is in a great location. As for a shuttle to the airport check out romecabs.com. They get high marks on this forum.

Donna

Thanx but the plan is that we're flying into Rome > taking the train to Florence > then returning the car after our stays in Florence & San Gimignano.

So, I guess you're suggesting we return the car to Florence (or the outskirts) where we rented it?

Rather than heading north from San Gimignano to Florence to drop the car, I suggest you go part of the way to Rome and drop the car in Chiusi or Orvieto. With the major rental companies, the extra charge for a one-way hire within the same country is usually very small or nil.

Thanx for the advice. I'm assuming that getting from Chiusi or Orvieto to Rome by public transit is fairly easy & intuitive?

For 125E/night you may want to consider renting an apartment, since you're there for 3 nights. Most apartments have 3 night minimums, and there are plenty of nice studios you can rent in a good location for the price. Look at rentalinrome.com, vbro.com, or rentalo.com.

I also recommend staying in the Pantheon area, it is lovely and close to everything (walking distance to all the sites) and is surrounded by great eateries and bars.

I prefer B&B's to hotels as they have a much more personal feel. I was a Qantas Flight Attendant for 18 years and I have stayed in thousands of hotels but it's the B&B's I find that have much more appeal and represent excellent value for money, especially in Italy.

My favourite B&B is excellently priced, is in the Pantheon area and has all your list of requirements, the bed is one bed not two pushed together. So, I am sure you will find a B&B or hotel that fits the bill!

If you need any further help I would be happy to oblige.

As the others have said, I would drop the car off in Florence and take the train to Rome. It is a 1hr 40 min journey and costs 39,90 euro per person one way. Tickets are easily purchased at the station on the day of travel.

RomeCabs is highly recommended on this forum and offers a well-priced, reliable and courteous airport service.

Have a great holiday,

Melissa :o)

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Simdawi,

>>>>>>>>>1) the MUST when you look for an accomodation in Rome is TO BE NEAR A METRO STOP (line A is preferred - more residential areas) otherwise you will spend most of your time on the buses. Consider that Rome is a overcrowded city FULL of traffic for all the day so the BEST way to move is underground.<<<<<<<<<<<<

We stayed in the Pantheon area and walked EVERYWHERE in Rome. We never once took the Metro, not once got a taxi and, except for the Hop On/Hop Off bus we never used a bus. So to state that the best way to move is via the underground is also misleading.

>>>>2) the area of historical centre (Spanish Steps, Via Veneto, Trevi Fountain) is very expensive and... it is not were Romans live<<<<<<

This statement is not entirely correct as there is wonderful and reasonably priced B&B's and hotels in these areas, Pantheon area included! Would other TA members agree with me on this?

Also, travellers aren't necessarily interested in staying in areas just because it is where Romans live. Also, this statement is incorrect because Romans DO live in these areas!

>>>>>Be careful about Termini area: that is right that it could be convenient to stay near train and Metro to move everywhere but the railway area in a big city such as Rome is absolutely not safe and full of immigrants... >>>>>>>

To say the Termini area is not safe is another incorrect statement. It may not be a particularly pretty area but you certainly can NOT say that it is 'absolutely not safe'. Many travellers have stayed in this area and find there to be no worries at all with regard to safety!

'Full of immigrants' - wow, that is a sweeping statement and sounds a little racist to me and doesn't have a place on these forums.

From Prati or Vatican area you reach Termini in 10-15 minutes by Metro if you have to take the train but you will walk safely during all day and night.

Trastevere is very characteristic full of restaurants and night life and I LOVE this area but unfortunately is not near the Metro stop.

>>>>>>>If you want to stay in a GOOD B&B you will surely find a VERY GOOD one starting from 75€ up to 100€ per night, more than this price is too much for a B&B, unless it is a special season such as New Year Eve.>>>>>>>>>>

To state that a price of over 100 euro is too much to pay for a B&B is rather unfair without knowing the quality, location and services offered of a particular B&B. The price is based on many factors including levels of luxury and comfort.

>>>>>>>Unfortunately I cannot advertise my B&B here but on bedandbreakfast.com you will surely find what you are looking for without paying a higher price for any commission ;-)>>>>>>>>>

Essentially you have advertised your B&B here on this forum. It is very obvious from your post that your B&B is:

1) Right near a METRO STOP (Line A)

2) Priced between 75 euro and 100 euro

3) Advertised on bedandbreakfast.com

4) Not near the Spanish Steps, Via Veneto, Trevi Fountain

5) Not near the Termini area

6) Not in the Trastevere - not near a METRO STOP

7) In the Prati or Vatican area

Please make sure when offering information that you don't use false information just so people will stay at your property.