When you stay in an Airbnb you get to know the owners and managers well. Some times they gloss over something saying no problem. As you stay, you may be reluctant to say anything bad. One time we had no hot water in a rather nice apartment in Orvieto.  The problem was quickly resolve by resetting a breaker. Some time that location of the apartment can be a problem. In Rome we are next to a restaurant which has some early morning noises. We knew about this from the review. NO  BIG DEAL.  

Next to us, the apartment was undergoing renovation. Part of the wall was knocked out in two locations and repaired withy concrete. Plaster was not repaired, looked like a basement wall with a hole int it.  Workmen began each morning at 7:30 am and each day stone and wall fragments from this job were on our terrazzo floor. Not nice. 

Shower was difficult to use with out having water go on floor.  Floors were a little dusty, and could never be really cleaned without a professional floor machine.  Walls have marks that should have been cleaned off. The kitchen is decent, but the stainless steel sink area where you put plates does not drain into the sink.

As I looked at many, many reviews for this property, I think people are afraid to bring these items into their reviews. 

On the very positive side, the location was perfect. A two block walk to Campo de Fiore with markets and restaurants. Ten minutes to Vatican, bus stops about a two block walk away. One nice restaurant was behind our building, Polese. 

Arnbnb does not visit these places, so  you need to review ALL the reviews.  Reviews are not in chronological order. Go through all of them and see if there are negatives that are repeated. Bad reviews seem to be hidden. 

If you have a problem, use the email in the Airbnb app to connect to the host. If you can not get a resolution, than use the help button on the app and go directly to Airbnb.  We have received an offer of a 300E REFUND from our host. The construction goes on but the equivalent of $$360 US makes it a little less painful. 

Go through ALL of the reviews, it may be time consuming but it will be worth it in the end.  

I have enjoyed our visit to Rome. The location a short walk from Campo dei Fiore is wonderful. Our host has tried to make our stay enjoyable. The construction will take some time and hopefully will be complete by next years high tourist season. 

Would I stay here again? I am not sure. The host did what could be done to improve the situation, which really was not all that much.  In researching I found another Airbnb about 2 city blocks away which had a modern kitchen and new furnishings  which  I would rather go to. Did I enjoy my stay, immensely.   No coins in fountain this year, too crowded to get in throwing range,  but I will return.

Caio.

We arrived Rome on the 17th of September coming from Desenzano del Garda.  I nice trip on the high speed train from Verona. Our apartment is next to Campo de Fiore. This location has enabeled us to walk about 70 miles ( according to my pedometer app) since we arrived. To me this is the way to see the city. St. Peter’s, to the Ghetto we have been able to see so much.

We have seen the museums, visited the ancient ruins, but most importantly is to have interacted with the people we need. We sat down to dinner last night and began talking to the couple next to us. They were celebrating the twenty fifth wedding anniversary and just arrived from Wales.  Just before they left an young man sat down next to us who was an ambassador from Belize to The Holy See, and another long conversation  began.

We enjoy being centrally located with our favorite trattoria just steps from our Airbnb apartment.  Being in the same place for so long enables us to get to know some of the shop keepers and vendors. It makes it feel like home.

Our trip will be over in a few more days, Many more posts will come from the many photos my wife Angela, and I have taken on our trip. We will have been in Italy for seven weeks, taking us from the beaches of Sicily to the shores of Lake Garda and finally to Rome.  Close to two thousand photos and visdeos will give us a number memories to share. 

I always thought using public transportation was a good way to get around, but it takes a little getting used to in a new city.  Rome has many maps of the bus, subway and tram routes available. They use a 3pt font ( at least from the perspective of my old eyes ).  Google Maps offers real time routing for public transportation. In this case, I searched for Piazza del Popolo so I could visit the church that houses some Caravaggio paintings.  I like the fact that the map will update as you walk, or take the bus. Helps to know when to get off. 

We used this routing to get from our apartment to the Porta Portese flea market. It was a fairly quick ride with only one transfer. 
At all bus stops, fermata, you find a route listing with the sequential stops listed. The arrow points to the direction of travel. 

Some stops have the video board listing buses arriving at your stop and approximate time before arrival. We found this to be very accurate. Most of the Google routes are easy to follow. Expand the map section for details as you walk to a stop or between stops to final destination.  This does require cellular data, and I would advise on an unlocked phone and purchase a SIM card on arrival in your country of choice.  TIM has a great store at the Rome airport. Very helpful and my phone was activated in 10 minutes with all questions answered. 

We happened on a small theater which presented Opera Arias and Neopolitan Songs in a small theater near the Pantheon.  The performance starts at 7:30 pm and runs a little over an hour.  The performance was wondefful and they got several ovations. You can not get a bad seat in this theater. It is in a old church building on Piazza Santa Chiara.   Google Opera Arias in Rome and you will get the web site. Tickets were 40 Euros, but the cheaper seats would have been just as good.  There is a small bar in the theater that serves drinks beginning at 6;30 PM. 

After 12 days in Desenzano del Garda, we head for Rome.  Garda has been a slower paced visit than our time in Sicily. Driving is less challenging. The temperatures are cooler. I love Sicily, but the more controlled pace of life in the lake region is definitely more relaxing.

One of the nicest things about the lakes is the boat transport that is readily available.  From Desenzano you can get a lower lake travel pass for about 23E. 

 
The Villa Romana is an amazing place. Small enough to visit in an hour and filled with information.  They heated tha baths with underground fires that went through the walls and under the pools.  We worth the visit. Cost 4E. The mosaics are exceptionally beautiful. 

For a quite experience in Italy try to find a library. Free entry, and sit down. You may be pleasantly surprised.

Ciao 

I am amazed by the town of Desenzano Del Garda.  For the least ever al months every Wednesday evening the White Nights appear along Via Roma and some other streets. Shops are open, vendors set up tents, and the people come out. Wonderful. Music and food are all around. Va bene.