The darling Rome vacation apartment is located on a charming, small street just off Via Giulia in a 17th century building. Perfect for people who want the conveniences of an apartment in the "centro storico" (historic center) of Rome with all major sites within walking distance.

It is on the second floor U.S./first floor European, and is entered directly off the lobby of the building. Once inside the apartment's front door you walk up a beautiful wrought iron spiral staircase one flight and you are now in the apartment. It is a large studio-style apartment that is a comfortable, chic pied-a-terre right in the center of this elegant, exciting neighborhood.

Step into the apartment from the staircase, the living room seating area is to your left, in front of the left set of beautiful windows facing over the street. Behind the living area, to your left, is the sleeping alcove. Another set of windows is directly in front of you, just opposite the top of the stairs. To your right is the dining area with designer lighting over the table. Just behind you, to the right, is the efficiency kitchen and the bathroom.

The apartment has two sets of windows, complete with planted flower boxes and look out onto the charming street letting light and air into the apartment. The windows are set into dramatic arched niches adding an historic architectural element to the apartment. The floors are beautiful polished terracotta tiles.

It was completely remodeled in 2002 and is very tastefully furnished with a palette of whites, creams and reds in the living room area and a modern dining table with seating for four people.

The apartment has a large, dramatic stone fireplace mantle surrounding a (non-working) fireplace between the dining area and the bathroom.

The living room area has a comfortable sofa upholstered in white. The apartment furnishings mix modern touches, set against an antique backdrop, that keep the feel fresh and comfortable.

The queen-sized bed in the sleeping alcove has suspended lamps on either side of the bed for reading. Cheerful linens and a soft duvet beckon for an afternoon siesta after a busy day of exploring the sites of Rome. The ceiling above the bed has beautiful exposed beams and stucco. At the foot of the bed against the wall is a closet.

The kitchen is a small efficiency-style hidden behind folding louvered doors where you can fix breakfast or toss together a simple dinner from the fresh ingredients obtained that morning at the Campo de' Fiori market only a stone's throw away. It has a three-burner gas cook top, an under-the-counter refrigerator, a sink and a microwave. The kitchen comes with pots, pans and dishes. Along the wall just outside the kitchen area is a sleek buffet-style cabinet that holds serving pieces.

The small bathroom is one of the most dramatic aspects of the apartment with ruby-red tiles and lighting that will make you feel as glamorous as the well-heeled Italians strolling in the streets below. It is small, but is like a glittering jewel, completely up-to-date with the latest fixtures and brass taps. When you enter the bathroom the shower is immediately in front of you and has a shower curtain enclosure attached to the wall that forms the enclosure. When not in use the shower curtain is gathered against the wall to provide access to the sink. A new 50 liter (13 gallon) water heater was installed January 2006. The sink, with a large mirror over it, is on the facing wall directly opposite the bathroom entrance. The toilet is to your right.

The Campo de' Fiori is the neighborhood of Renaissance Rome where the power mongers built their palaces, such as Palazzo Farnese and Palazzo Spada. We know the importance of staying in a great location, and this part of Rome qualifies as one of the best due to its proximity to the major sites and the everyday conveniences of local restaurants, pizzerias, cafes and the Campo de' Fiori market.

Step out the door and choose between elegant antique shopping to your right 1/2 a block away on Via Giulia, or walk 2 blocks to your left and select from the freshest produce for tonight's dinner at Rome's most famous open air market, the Campo de' Fiori, meaning "field of flowers".

Soak up the morning sunshine and enjoy an espresso at Caffe Farnese just around the corner in Piazza Farnese. Or stop off at the end of a full day and enjoy an afternoon gelato or an early evening aperitif. After picking up some fresh fruit or as special seasoning mix to enhance your pasta sauce from one of the colorful stalls in Campo de' Fiori, stop into Roscioli for prosciutto, mortadella, salami, cheese and olives.

Via Giulia is a beautiful street for strolling, window-shopping and people watching, as are Piazza Farnese and Campo de' Fiori. Many of the streets are named for the merchants that once populated the area: Via del Giubbonari -- the jacket makers, Via della Barchetta -- the boat builders, Via degli Specchi -- street of mirrors.

Only a few minutes walk and you're at Piazza Navona or the Pantheon. Cross the Tiber and you're in scenic Trastevere where some of the people look like characters from a Fellini film.

The Vatican, the Colosseum, the Forum, the Spanish Steps are reasonable walk if you want to work off that pasta and wine from the night before, or if your feet are crying for mercy, are an easy bus or cab ride.

Just a few blocks away is Largo Argentina, one of the major bus stops where there is bus transportation available all over the city. It easy to catch bus lines 23, 46, 56, 60, 62, 64, 74, 280 so transportation options abound. The convenient Tram 8 goes across the river to Trastevere.

This is a non-smoking apartment. No pets please.


Click on floor plan for a larger view.

Euros Price:
High Season €895/wk..€845/6nts..€735/5nts..€690/4nts
Low Season €720/wk..€680/6 nts..€590/5nts..€555/4nts
4 NIGHT MINIMUM except Christmas, New Years 7 night minimum
Includes utilities up to 15 Kwh/day & final cleaning
Sorry no pets, no smoking

Bedrooms:
Sleeps 2: The queen-sized bed is in a sleeping alcove off of the living room area.

Bathrooms:
1 bathroom: The bathroom has a sink, toilet, bidet and shower. All fixtures are new and completely up-to-date. Hair dryer provided.

No. of Guests:
Up to 2 people.

Size:
300 square feet

Washer/Dryer:
No, there are two laundromats very nearby. No iron or ironing board.

Kitchen:
Efficiency kitchen with three-burner stove, microwave, espresso pot and drip-style coffeemaker, under-the-counter refrigerator. No dishwasher.

Telephone:
A loaner cell phone is available.

TV, CD Player:
Satellite TV with English language channels, CD player. Small selection of CD's provided

Linens:
Sheets and towels are provided.

Public Transportation:
Public transportation is excellent. Numerous bus routes converge nearby at Largo Argentina that can take you to all destinations around the city.

Neighborhood:
The street where the apartment is located is only one block long and runs perpendicular to Via Giulia and Via Di Monserrato. It is a very elegant and lively neighborhood in the historic center. Half a block from the apartment is Via Giulia, world renowned for elegant antique shops and art galleries. Two blocks away is Piazza Farnese and also the famous Campo de' Fiori, the piazza that is home to Rome's most famous open air fruit and vegetable market. Within a 10-minute walk away are Piazza Navona, Trastevere, the Pantheon. It is a 15-to-20 walk to the Roman Forum & Colosseum, Piazza di Spagna, the Trevi Fountain.

Click on the map for a larger view.