Planning a trip to Europe in September 2015. After Greece and Tuscany, plan to spend the last 5 or 6 days in Rome. We were in Rome two years ago and the highlight was a day with Francesca Paliagro. We are interested in a guide for each day we are in Rome (1/2 day each day) to show us places outside of the popular sites. We would probably like to visit Galleria Borghese again and the park, but other less known sites as well. If there was a possibility to have Francesca again it would be wonderful. Could you please advise us as to the best area to stay in and whether you will be able to provide guide service. Our last stay was at Hotel Smeraldo near Campo di Fiori, but we would like to stay around Piazza Novano this trip. Any help you could give would be greatly appreciated. There will be 4 in our group.
Thank you
Chip and Frankie Watson, Steve and Mary Leslie Hall
Hi Chip, Frankie, Steve and Mary,
Francesca and Simone thank you for contacting us!
We love people that after years still consider their time with us an "highlight" of their trip.
We will be happy to organize your Roman tours.
You mentioned Boghese Gallery...a jewel in the city!
As for other suggestions, it depends on how far you want to go. You know that most of the visitors in Rome choose Ancient Rome, Vatican and Highlights(city center) tours. If you want to find secret spots with less crowd, we suggest you to go on our website and have a look at:
- Ostia Antica tour
- Underground Rome tour
Furthermore we can suggest you a day in Tivoli (car is needed) and half-a-day on the Appian Way (entering the Catacombs).
As for Francesca or other guide's availability (and to know our guide fees), please go on our website and fill the booking form.
As for the accomodation, it depends on what you are looking for.
- The area Navona-Campo de Fiori can be more expensive and noisy at night, but the atmosphere is great and you are 5 minutes walking from most of the highlights.
- The area around Piazza di Spagna/Piazza del Popolo is still expensive more quiet at night (but always close to the highlights). During the day it becomes the main shopping area of Rome.
- The area around Repubblica/Via Nazionale/Piazza Barberini can offer you a bit cheaper accomodations, but you will probably need a taxi (10 minutes) to get the city center.
Anyway, all the three locations are few minutes far from the most important sites of the city center. If you will choose some of the particular tours we mentioned above, you have to go out of the city center, therefore it doesn't matter where your hotel/apartement is.
Please, let us know if we can help you in any other way.
Thanks again for choosing us again!
Francesca and Simone from Joy of Rome