Vacation Rentals by Owner

Magic Rome it is!

Guest: jennie (washington, DC)
Date of Stay: 03/03/12 Review Submitted: 03/13/12

We just returned from a week's stay in this beautiful apartment smack in the middle of the hip Trastevere neighborhood of Rome, and recommend the experience highly. We walked everywhere -- and when we didn't wish to, we took the convenient tram that owner Alex had so kindly told us about. The apartment is well appointed, quiet, comfortable, and within walking distance to an open air food market, grocery stores, cafes, restaurants, and the famous Sunday morning flea market. If you don't find us at home in the States, then please check one of the cafes on the piazza facing the Church. It's heaven on earth.

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Wonderful apt - location, value, and a great ower

Guest: kevino (San Francisco)
Date of Stay: 07/18/11 Review Submitted: 07/26/11

We spent four days/nights in mid-July 2011 in Alex's rental apartment with our family of four. The location was excellent -- a great neighborhood with restaurants that are not too pricy, good locations for all the major to-dos in Rome and easy access to public transit. The apartment has plenty of amenities and is quite spacious. The cafe across the street opens early and stays open late (perfect for an afternoon break). Groceries are close and there's a farmer's market on the nearby square every morning. One minor suggestion: please get wi-fi! (The cafe has it but service was pretty spotty.) Otherwise, a real gem in a fantastic location.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Family w/ kids (9, 11)...Loved our italian home in Rome!

Guest: Katie (St. Paul)
Date of Stay: 06/25/11 Review Submitted: 07/27/11

Do not hesitate to book this apartment. Alex is incredible! I asked him for ideas for places to celebrate my son's 9th birthday and he had not one BUT TWO special Italian cakes along with balloons and candles waiting for us in the apartment when we arrived! The location is really great... on the fringe of the madness that is central Rome... tucked away nicely in a vibrant neighborhood into the base of Gianicolo Hill. By our third day we were really becoming part of the wonderful neighborhood where everyone was so friendly and helpful. On the first day we went to the market and stocked up with fruits, fresh deli meats, cheeses and breads. The other customers and the people at the deli counter were so nice and fun to communicate with. They all participated in helping us pick from the unfamiliar meats; we had the most incredible Prosciutto and Salami from there! (Yes the Parma is the best!) We bought fresh ravioli &tortellini from a shop down the street for lunch one day... awesome! The little cafe directly across the street had great, cheap cappucinos and good food too! The fancier restaurant kitty-corner from apartment was excellent... some of the best pizza we ate and the pasta dishes were great too! We met the owner who is from Naples and worked in the States...delightful man. We sent our exhausted boys up to bed after dinner and my husband and I enjoyed private time on the romantic patio from which we could see the windows of the apartment (so we knew all was well). Take the 115 bus (it's a smaller electric bus) that runs right up the street in front of the apartment. It takes you to the top of Gianicolo Hill (go there for the best views of Rome and a nice park) and down to a station where the line ends or "terminates". If you get out here and walk through the bus station garage there are elevators that take you down and then a long escalator... after a walk through a clean pedestrian tunnel you emerge at St. Peter's Square, right in front of the Vatican. Once we discovered this "short cut" we saved tons of time/distance walking. From the 115 "terminal" stop you can also catch the 116 bus which winds its way along the narrow streets of old Rome including the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Villa Borghese. The apartment was clean and had EVERYTHING we needed. Would return in a heartbeat and spend more time enjoying and exploring Trastevere. Advise: do what Romans do..go to bed late, get up early, enjoy siesta&gelato daily!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Better than a hotel room.

Guest: 60's couple (Erie PA USA)
Date of Stay: 06/09/11 Review Submitted: 06/22/11

Nice apartment, quite roomy. We were able to have friends over for dinner. Easy access to everything as listed. Nice neighborhood. Quiet during the day. Our flight arrived early in the morning and Alex was kind enough to allow us access to apt. The listing states off street parking and don't know what that means as nothing was told to us about off street parking. So if you plan on having a car, be sure to inquire as parking spaces on the street are hard to find. Our guests had to ride around looking for a place to park. There are 2 bars across the street which are quite loud in the evening, till at least 1 AM. Had to turn on the A/C to drown out the noise. The bar directly across the street, Broz, has free wi-fi but my laptop couldn't get internet access. Broz was more reasonably priced for cappucino and rolls than places in Piazza. Nice little vegetable vendor a few doors down from Broz across from apt. who also sells wine and beer. Fresh pasta shop on same street. The market one block down in the Piazza is great. Two grocery stores (one called Todi and a larger one two doors down) on other side of Piazza. We did walk to Piazza Navona, though we weren't planning on it, so it is possible. Difficulty getting a cab at times. Also walked to Jewish Ghetto area. Be sure to have your map with you when you go out walking as it's very easy to get 'lost' as streets aren't in a grid. We would definitely stay there again. We love Rome.

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Authentic Roma in Trastevere!

Guest: Christopher (Cary, North Carolina)
Date of Stay: 05/31/11 Review Submitted: 06/22/11

If you desire to experience living in the authentic Roma neighborhood of Trastevere, this Magic Rome apartment is it! Located on the picturesque Via Goffredo Mameli, upon entering the courtyard to taking the elevator up to the 4th Floor, you’ll quickly come to the realization you’re not in Kansas anymore! The apartment was cleaned just before we arrived, and Massimo came to meet us at the apartment after our arrival and was very pleasant and attentive to our needs. Travelling with our 18-year old son and 21-year old daughter, we felt there was ample space for four adults; however, be aware that with one bathroom, there is a finite supply of hot water for showering. From the apartment, it’s a short walk to all the wonderful churches, restaurants, and shops within Trastevere, and where you can pick up public transportation, too. We found that we could walk to the Vatican and to locations as far away as the Trevi Fountain as long as time wasn’t an issue. Otherwise, you can catch a taxi at one of the stands on the main street. This was our first apartment rental experience, and we would enjoy staying in this apartment again. Spending five days here wasn’t enough – eight at a minimum to see most of the important sites without running yourself ragged. We would recommend that you brush up on your Italian because this isn’t an area filled with lots of English speaking tourists which could make it a challenge for some. There's also an internet café about 100 yards down the street, and a great little supermarket (Todi’s) down the street that has plenty of food and supplies nearby. Be sure to visit the Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere and enjoy a meal at Hosteria del Moro de Tony’s. Thank you Alex and Massimo for your Magic Rome apartment experience…Ciao!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Fantastic apartment! Perfect for a young family.

Guest: MuffinMummy (London, UK)
Date of Stay: 12/18/10 Review Submitted: 01/17/11

We had fabulous stay in this apartment for 5 days in December 2010. We have 3 children (just 5, 2.5 and 5 months) and this apartment was very easy and wonderful to "live" in. We found it very easy to walk from Trastevere train station (straight from the airport), it is about 15 minutes along a flat straight road - although catching the tram would be easier! The apartment is very well-appointed and comfortable, with clean comfortable furniture and plenty of bedding and towels. Trastevere is a wonderful place to stay, we found an excellent cafe for our morning caffeine fix (Baylon, about 5 mins walk away) and there are plenty of food stores around to make dinner in the apartment. One day we walked to the Colosseum and the Pantheon, another day walked in the other direction through Piazza Navona, Borghese Gardens, Spanish Steps, and on our last morning we walked (and caught the 115 bus!) up Giancolo Hill - it's right across the road and has fabulous views! We were reluctant to leave, and would return in a heartbeat. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! A wonderful apartment.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Excellent stay in a lovely apartment

Guest: Stephanie (Boston, MA)
Date of Stay: 10/23/10 Review Submitted: 11/05/10

The apartment is quite spacious and lovely, on a beautiful street in Trastevere. It is very well located --a short walk to the heart of Trastevere, on a street that is a more upscale and quiet. We were three women travelling together, and the apartment was perfect for us. As another reviewer said, it is actually more spacious than it appears in the photos. The living room is quite large; the master bedroom is also large, and the second bedroom is plenty of room for one person. The apartment was cleaned just before we arrived. I had visited Rome two years ago and stayed in a B&B nearby. This was my first apartment rental experience, and will likely be the way I will try to travel from now on! And I would definitely enjoy staying in this apartment again. Alex, the host, was very gracious, pleasant and easy to communicate with. I love the Trastevere area and the countless small, charming shops one after another to buy wine, cheeses, baked goods, and produce. There's also a small supermarket just one street away where you can shop for all your needs, there's also an outdoor "farmer's market" that is open each day but Sunday selling produce, fish, meat, cheese and also some clothing. (I bought a beautiful wool sweater one day for 17 euros!) You will not be disappointed with this charming and comfortable apartment.

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

An apartment with charm and character

Guest: Nick (Nashville, Tennessee, USA)
Date of Stay: 05/30/10 Review Submitted: 06/18/10

This was our first trip to Rome, and our first experience with VRBO internationally. We were very pleased with the result. As someone who travels extensively on business in the US, the last thing I wanted to see was the inside of another hotel room. This apartment gave us that indescribable feeling of being 'home away from home.' The place has 'great bones', with some very nice - but not over the top - furnishings sprinkled about. The appliances worked well. An added plus was the bowl of fresh fruit, provided by Massimo, that we nibbled on all week. The neighborhood is lovely, with shops and trattorias within easy walking distance. Wifi is available across the street for a fee, but we chose to patronize a local coffee shop where it was free, and where we liked the lattes. The historical district and the Vatican are not far on foot, easy by cab. The circulating open-top tourist buses can be met just across the river. To sum it up, my only regret is that we could not stay longer.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Wonderful stay in Trastevere!

Guest: familyadventurer (Franklin, EI)
Date of Stay: 04/01/10 Review Submitted: 05/02/10

Our family (me, my husband, and our two teens) recently spent three nights in this apartment. It was very roomy and comfortable. The location was convenient - close to restaurants, the market, and a coffee shop. Also just a short walk to the Tram to connect with buses to all the sights of Rome. We liked feeling like part of the neighborhood. Alex was very friendly and we would definitely stay here again!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 02/16/10 Review Submitted: 02/16/10

I truly loved this apartment and location. The owner was very nice and the apartment was clean and well furnished. It is also bigger than the photos would suggest. We stayed with a young child so having a nearby super market and playground was perfect. lots of fun restaurants and cafes nearby. a wonderful produce market. I wish we stayed longer!

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Guest: Candice6 (New York, NY)
Date of Stay: 10/05/09 Review Submitted: 10/05/09

My husband and I spent the first leg of our honeymoon in Rome. Having never visited Rome, we were a bit weary about staying in an apartment versus a hotel, but decided to do so based on friends' suggestions. We found this apt on VRBO, and based on smooth communication and instinct, we booked with the owner, Alex. We really lucked out! This apt is in a great neighborhood, very conveniently located with some great restaurants in the area (Da Augusto, Da Enzo, and Il Galeone which was right around the corner to name a few!). The apt is spotless -- I am an admitted germophobe, and used a UV light wand and saw ZERO germs. It is spacious, very comfortable, and most important - SAFE. A great way to experience Rome. We would definitely stay here again if visiting.

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couldn't be better

Guest: Rosemary F. (SC, USA)
Date of Stay: 09/01/09 Review Submitted: 05/22/10

My husband and I spent a week in this treasured appartment. Close to transport, but not that far from center: just across the bridge. Lots of neighbourhood groceries available, including a splendid market. Trastevere is a beautiful shady neighbourhood of tall trees and courtyard apartments. There are cafes where you can sit out, esp. in the evening and enjoy a glass of wine. The apartment is well maintained and Alex was kind enough to pick us up from the train station. The photos tell all: nicely furnished and clean, with large windows to let in the breeze. We hope to go back and stay there again: one week in Rome is like smelling the cookies but not eating them.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Sabien1 (London, UK)
Date of Stay: 07/16/09 Review Submitted: 07/16/09

This is a fantastic apartment in a great location in Trastevere. The apartment is well-appointed, with everything you could need; light and very clean with high ceilings and (original) tiled flooring. In the main bedroom, the bed is large & comfortable and there's a good-sized antique wardrobe as well. the kitchen & bathroom are both modern and there's plenty of space in the reception room. on top of all this, Alex, the owner, is a very friendly, knowledgable & incredibly helpful person. by way of example: our luggage was lost for days & could not be delivered so Alex drove miles to the depot & picked it up for us! he also provided a cot and baby-chair for us to use while in Rome. The location is very good - close to public transport and just on the edge of the main "buzzy" centre of Trastevere. there are also supermarkets and good, inexpensive restaurants nearby. I highly recommend this place.... a great find!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 06/05/09 Review Submitted: 06/05/09

This is a comfortable, well-equipped and handsome two-bedroom apartment in an excellent location, with a profusion of nearby markets, bakeries, cafes and restaurants. (We particularly recommend La Scala, just a short walk away in Piazza della Scala.) It's an exceptionally good base of operations for touring the entire Eternal City, and a pleasure to come home to in the evening. Alex, the host-owner, is gracious and helpful -- easy to work with, responsible, available and full of useful information. Our April, 2009 visit to Rome turned out to be one of our most successful family holidays ever, and this apartment was one of the keys to our enjoyment. We recommend it and would certainly book it again.

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Guest: Sebastian Pugliese (Burlington, Vermont)
Date of Stay: 06/02/09 Review Submitted: 06/02/09

This was a wonderful apartment and the owners were a pleasure to deal with. Located in the heart of Trastevere, it was a short walk or bus ride to all the major sites. The neighborhood had everything we needed: a supermarket close by, a great cafe for morning coffee, an open air market, and a small playground for our children. We look forward to staying there again.

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Guest: Alan12 (St. Petersburg, FL)
Date of Stay: 05/31/09 Review Submitted: 05/31/09

My wife and I stayed in this wonderful apartment in May. We have visited Rome several times in the past, but this is the most memorable. The apartment will exceed your expectations. It is very large, even for a family. Everything (and more) is included. Trastevere is perfect, with its restaurants and shops. Many times you will just not want to go accross the river. For international travelers, the location is very convenient to the train to FCO.

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Guest: Amanda Scaletta (Chicago, IL USA)
Date of Stay: 05/28/09 Review Submitted: 05/28/09

My husband and I throughly enjoyed our stay at this charming (and much larger than we expected!) apartment in Rome. Not only was it situated in a great location for all of our tourist activities, it gave us the quiet and privacy of a neighborhood that we were looking for. We couldn't have been happier with the service we received from the owner upon arrival and will definitely be using this same location for future visits. Thanks for everything!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/14/09 Review Submitted: 04/14/09

A marvelous place to stay, we enjoyed this charming, bright, spacious apartment in Trastevere. The apartment had everything we needed from comfortable furniture to a basket of helpful, local maps. It was lovely and decorated in an attractive style. And the location was just perfect...within walking distance of a daily open-air market, a grocery store, the neighborhoods of Trastevere, a great gelato shop, a tourist info kiosk, the bus lines, the Tiber, and so much more. It was beyond charming...it was a dream come true in so many ways. Many thanks to the proprietor...a lovely man.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/26/09 Review Submitted: 03/26/09

This bright, well appointed apartment is located in a charming building on a quiet yet convenient street of Trastevere. The kitchen is fully equipted. The modern bath has a large shower with an above adequate supply of hot water.Food shopping from either the daily open market and several supermarkets is within a one block walking distance. There are numerous options for take-out food within a block or two as well as easy access to the renown restaurants in the neighborhood. The English speaking owner is very responsive to the needs of his guests. This highly recommended apartment is truly a find in the eyes of someone who has visited Rome for many years.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/19/09 Review Submitted: 03/19/09

Con le mie amiche ho passato un bellissimo weekend a Roma e il merito è stato anche della posizione strategica di questo confortevole e pulito appartamento. Intorno ci sono locali carini dove passare la serata o per una colazione golosa. Lo consiglio!

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