Italy Perfect Travel Blog

Clients ask us where they can stay in Rome that is not touristy and where they can enjoy real Italian life. They have heard or know that in the touristy heart of Rome, visitors can be shoulder to shoulder, reminding us of Disneyland Main Street in summer. If you want to be near the sites and to experience an interesting and pleasant area of Rome without the crowds, we know just the place! Across the river from the Spanish Steps neighborhood, near the Vatican, is Prati, a central neighborhood that Romans love. The layout is reminiscent of the boulevards of Paris and you find many really interesting and sometimes amusing architecture from the Art Nouveau period. Some of the best shopping in Rome is in this neighborhood: from small designer boutiques, good gourmet food shops and open air bargain stands, to a nice department store and a huge famer’s and flower market for fresh foods. it is all arrayed along and behind the Via Cola di Rienzo’s broad sidewalks and cafes. Italy Perfect’s offerings in Prati are conveniently located, too, near the river so the stroll to the Spanish Steps or Piazza Navona is in the 15 minute range along fascinating streets.

Renting a vacation home from Italy Perfect provides some unique benefits. If you are trying to decide whether a vacation home rental or a hotel is best for you here are some tradeoffs to consider.

One of our favorite apartments is Archetto, on a charming small street in the Trevi Fountain area, an easy walk to the Spanish Steps and great public transportation options nearby. When we first saw the apartment we immediately recognized its potential. Fabulous location, terrace, good floor plan, top floor, bright, elevator -- it met all of our criteria for most requested features from our guests. The decor, however, was badly in need of a transformation to bring it up to our standards: tired, uncomfortable furniture, an old bathroom and too much clutter masked the beauty of this apartment. One of the most rewarding, and exhausting, aspects of our work is taking on projects such as these. Working with the owner who agreed to renovate the bathroom, upgrade the kitchen and furniture, we tackled this project with gusto. Our guests remark on the comfort and quiet of the apartment, the terrific location, the cute terrace and, of course, the proximity to the best gelateria in Rome...San Crispino!

BEFORE Dreary Living Room - AFTER Cheerful and Bright

Italy Perfect’s Lisa Byrne & Pat Byrne were named by Conde Nast Traveler magazine as one of the world’s top vacation rental specialists for 2012. The April 2012 issue of Traveler magazine featured Italy Perfect in the esteemed travel authority “Wendy Perrin’s 2012 Guide to Affordable Villa Vacations” published in the April 2012 issue of Traveler magazine. This honor is bestowed based on a rigorous screening and interview process to find the best-of-the-best among vacation rental experts.

PRESS RELEASE

European Travel Commission Report Bolsters Italy Vacation Rental Market - American Travelers to Europe Looking For Value in 2012

Dec 1, 2011 - The European Travel Commission (ETC) disclosed important US travel trends anticipated for 2012 during the November 2011 World Travel Market conference held recently in London. The World Travel Market is the leading global event for the travel industry. A preview presented at the conference of the ETC's report on European Travel Trends highlights two key trends for 2012: changes in American travel patterns and spending for Europe-bound travelers as well as a pent-up demand for travel to Europe. The study indicates that, despite economic trends, the European tourism market will see a recovery in 2012, largely fueled by the U.S. traveler. Important in the findings is the quest for value by the American traveler both in terms of accommodations and profiting from the US dollar strengthening versus the volatile Euro. According to Petra Hedorfer, President of the European Travel Commission (ETC). "Although US travelers to Europe tend to be more financially resilient than many, they are still keen on finding value for money at every turn”.