Very friendly people, and the Hotel Napoleon was superb. The staff was eager to help, and very knowledgeable. The rooms were great, as was the complimentary breakfast. The rates were very reasonable. We are definitely returning to Rome, and to this hotel. Dr. and Mrs. John Lombardo

Rome is a beautiful city. Romantic, wonderful food, people are warm and friendly, easy to get around on foot or by bus/subway. I did not want to leave! My best souvenir I brought back to the states were hand made sandals. They were measured and made for my feet while I waited. di San Giacomo, a shop just around the corner from Piazza Navona. Pick the color and style you want and within a short while, you have new sandals to wear. It is worth the trip to Villa de Este. Beautiful gardens and natural flowing water and fountains. A must see! Important to know, all museums in Italy are free the first Sunday of the month. So plan your Italy visit accordingly. I was a solo traveler. Rabih at Teatro Pace Hotel was my guardian angel. He directed me every where I went, helped plan where to go and how to get there. Go to Rome and stay at Teatro Pace, just steps from Piazza Navona and within 30 minutes walking distance in any direction to see it all. Very affordable, includes a delicioius breakfast. Check out their website and photos! Loved my tour through the Vatican city and museums through City Wonders, three hours. I wish I wrote down my tour guide's name, I am sorry I did not. She was excellent! I used City Wonders also for the 3 hour walking tour of the Coliseum and Roman Forum. Here too, I do not recall his name, but this time, the tour guide was AWFUL. We heard no real stories of what transpired at the Coliseum. I was terribly disappointed. Be sure to go to Museo Frati Cappuccini e Cripta Ossario. The museum and crypt of the Capuchin Friars. I learned of this from Rabih at my hotel. Also, go the The Knights of Malta keyhole view of St. Peter's in Rome, Italy. Again, another treasure as recommended by Rabih at my hotel along with the St Maria Basilica. I am already planning my next trip to Rome!

Book the Vatican Museum/Sistine Chapel ahead of time. The line for people without tickets practically wraps around Vatican City. My husband and I added the audio tour option which was a very nice touch since we don't like tour groups. We were able to see the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and a few other Roman landmarks in one day. Our hotel, Rome Times Hotel, was right in the middle of everything which made a huge difference, but it is still a lot of walking. When visiting the Spanish Steps, take a small detour to Pompeii Tiramisu - absolutely delicious. One of our favorite restaurants was Ai Tre Scalini; best to get a reservation because this restaurant is popular with the locals. They had a great meat/cheese board and quite an extensive wine selection - highly recommend. If you are looking to get out of the city, we took a day trip to Anzio beach. It was a very clean beach about an hour train ride from Rome. We were able to rent a couple of chairs with umbrellas, since we didn't bring anything, and someone set it up for us. If it can be avoided, do not drive in Rome; the trains and tram system were easy to navigate. We took the tram to Vatican City, but walked everywhere else for the most part. The best part of walking everywhere was when we got tired, we simply stopped at a cafe to share a bottle of wine and people-watch.

We stayed at the Hotel Caravita in Rome. It was a perfect location, we were able to walk everywhere, to all of the major sights. Our room was very large and had the most awesome shower with light therapy. When we returned from sightseeing on our first day, we realized that we had lost our house keys and gate remote, also the key to a carry on that had our airline tickets in it. We went to the front desk to see if we had dropped them anywhere, but they were nowhere to be found. The front desk girls, Fulvia, Mariagrazia and Pamela were absolutely amazing. They did everything possible to help us, including making at least two international calls to our neighbors. They also had someone come in to drill and cut the lock from our bag to access our tickets. I wish I had his name, he worked so hard to get that lock off. They went so above and beyond for us, we deeply appreciate it. I would definately recommend staying at the Hotel Caravita when visiting Rome.

Romans were generally very friendly and welcoming; some exceptions for occasional museum staff. Weather was fantastic in mid to late May. Food was great everywhere, but do a little research to avoid tourist traps. And always make reservations for dinner. We dined at and recommend the following restaurants: La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali, Tavernelle on Via Panisperna, Le Due Colonne on Via Liberiana across from Santa Maria Maggiore, and our rooftop hotel restaurant at the Hotel Mecenate Palace. Crowds were large at most popular tourist spots, but not unexpected except at the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain, where they were immense and required long waits to get in or get close.

Rome has a few aces up its sleeve. First of all go by foot you. Everywhere. I can't stress this enough. You'll stumble across piazzas, beautiful old houses, grocery stores from the 50's that can make you unbelievably good porchetta sandwiches, just don't ask for cheese in it or you'll chased by an angry old italian man with a knife, and cute little bars. And in this bars get a negroni, it's a must in Rome and everyone knows how to make one. But if you can spare the cash, go to Harry's Bar on Via Veneto, it's where Fellini's La Dolce Vita was filmed and it since became a meeting place for celebrities, rich people and occasional tourists like us. And because you can't go to Rome and not have a pizza, fight for one at Pizzarium. It takes about 30 minutes and you'll have to wrestle some people for it, but it's not like anything you've ever tasted. Gabriele Bonci is a pizza poet. Just remember to take a number otherwise you'll be in line for nothing. For Cacio e Pepe pasta try Roscioli. Make a a reservation or you'll never get in. And don't go on an empty stomach. The restaurant is actually in a salumeria as the italians call it, and everything looks amazing. You won't be able to stop eating and then you'll have to crawl to your hotel room. Other than that take in the sights and don't drink cappuccino after 11 o'clock in the morning or you'll look like a tourist.