Hi Pat,

Cari A, Barcelona

Loved the apartment. The help that Beatrice gave us ws wonderful. She really helped us feel our apaartment was a home away from home. That included great local resturants as well as local events.

Our apartment was perfect. Small but cozy but the best benefit was the great Roman neigborhood.

Monti, is truly a local Roman neigborhood. After three weeks I felt like it was home and am still thinking about our coffee across the street at the cafe with free wifi or the owners of the Resturant that wished us well with hugs and kisses when we left, like old friends. Couldn't find a better location to spend three weeks in Rome. I almost felt home sick for Monti when I returned to Washington.

Everything was perfect.

Emalene, Bainbridge Island, WA

We were in the 2 bedroom Cicero apartment for 5 days and had a lovely time. Although the second bedroom was a bit small, it was just perfect for our 2 children (aged 12 and 8). The owner Beatrice was delightful and thought of all the little things you need in the home to make it comfortable. We were initially concerned about the cost of electricity but if you are sensible and dont leave your airconditioner on 24/7, the tarrif in the rent should cover utilities (ours did). The apartment location was very good. We saw a lot of the Colloseum (since it was within working distance) and were able to walk to most of the shops, resturant and buses we needed. The folder provided by Beatrice was also very handy. The apartment is highly recommended!

Segun & Shola Faniran, Dubai

I stayed at the Cicero apartment for a week with my sister and brother-in-law. They had the large bedroom, which was lovely and spacious. I had the smaller one, so pretty and cozy, and I loved it. There are charming paintings and framed photographs on the wall and a bookcase full of interesting books.

The place has a classic feel to it, with a bust of Cicero (made by the owner, Beatrice, it turns out) in the living room, and a piece of stone that was discovered when the site was excavated. The building, we were told, dates from the seventeenth century. You can tell that from the beautiful dark wood beams on the ceiling. Otherwise the apartment seems modern, very fresh and attractive.

Beatrice has thought of everything for her guests' comfort and pleasure. There's a TV and DVD player, with several movies supplied. (We watched The Gladiator after touring the Coliseum, didn't have time to watch Roman Holiday.) In the smaller bedroom I found a CD player with some good CDs. The living room and bathroom were both spacious and lovely. Dishes of candy and a bowl of apples were thoughtfully provided.

The kitchen is small, but quite efficient. We enjoyed shopping in the neighborhood for our food, preparing simple meals and eating at the table at one side of the living room.

One thing I would have liked is an electric coffeepot. The small Italian coffeepot was good for a couple of cups of cappuccino, but wasn't enough for three people and was too difficult for me to figure out in the morning (though the others mastered it). I usually went downstairs to the bar/coffee shop/restaurant across the street—very convenient, and good for people-watching. [A drip coffee pot has been put into the apartment, now.]

Beatrice and our greeter (I think his name was Paul) were both very kind and helpful. He spoke excellent English and had a good sense of humor. She had prepared a very comprehensive notebook containing maps, information on transportation, suggestions for restaurants and entertainment, and instructions for all the appliances in the apartment. That was wonderful! (By the way, the “quick” setting on the washing machine is by far the easiest.)

We enjoyed the neighborhood—the cobblestone streets, the shops, the street musicians, the gelateria! We could get everything we needed nearby, and there were plenty of restaurants. The Coliseum, the Forum, and St. Peter in Chains are in walking distance. The subway and buses are very convenient.

Though each bedroom had a good air conditioner, the place stayed pretty cool, and often we just opened our shuttered windows for a breeze. The place across the street was open at night, with people laughing and talking outdoors, so a couple of times when I went to bed early, I was glad I had my earplugs with me. (It wasn't obnoxious at all; the other two didn't need any such sleep aids. I just thought I'd suggest that for sensitive sleepers like me.)
This is a lovely, spacious apartment with so many charming and thoughtful touches. We all had plenty of room to relax and enjoy ourselves.

Beatrice even arranged transportation to the airport for us. She took care of it on the day of our arrival, so we didn't have to worry at all about that.

All of us loved the place. We recommend it highly.

Lynne, Tampa, Florida

The apartment was just the right size for our family of 3 and comfortably furnished. Within a day, we moved in and felt right at home. The books and reference materials left by Beatrice (the owner) were very helpful in getting us oriented in the first few days. Beatrice, herself, was friendly and helpful and made you feel like a guest, not a renter.The neighborhood itself has and draws a young, vital and local crowd. The "feel" of the place is one of living in a real Roman neighborhood with young professionals - which we liked very much. The piazza at the end of via del Boschetto comes alive in the evening. Strollers, diners and socializers make good use of the restaurants and the piazza.The Forum is a 5 minute walk. The Colosseum is a 10 minute walk and several wonderful churches (including San Pietro in Vincolo, Santa Maria Maggiore, San Giovanni Laterano and San Clemente) are within 15 minutes by walking and worth checking out. We opted to walk everywhere including Galleria Borghese, Spanish Steps, the Vatican and Piazza del Popolo and found it to be a great way to experience all of Rome's neighborhoods. Twice we used public transit (bus and subway). Both are nearby and both are easy to use.Some neighborhood tips:If you are eating-in at some point, make sure you try the gnocchi from Pasta Alla Uovo -- that is the local homemade pasta shop 3 minutes down the street.Our 12 year old son eats pizza everywhere and he swears that the pizza Margherita at Cafe Er Baretto (across the street) is the best he has ever eaten.We patronized Er Baretto and would get the wi-fi password and check email while having a drink after a long day of sightseeing. In the evening we would send e-postcards and research sights for the next day at the apartment window.If you go... enjoy and say hello to Beatrice for us.

Mario, Stacy and Lucas, Pennsylvania, USA

We had a lovely trip. Our hostess was so gracious and welcoming--the Italian version of you!  If I ever lived in Rome, I would want to befriend her! She had put together a nice notebook with maps and suggestions for restaurants, shops, current exhibits, etc. She left us with a bowl of fresh fruit and other thoughtful amenities--and none of it expected. The apartment worked perfectly for us. It was charming and well-equipped. We would certainly recommend Italy Perfect and the Cicero apartment. Best wishes, Cary P.S. You've really done such a nice job dotting all the i's and crossing t's. We appreciated the material you sent and thought the Kid's Book was great.

Cary M