Vacation Rentals by Owner

A Week in Monti

Guest: David R, Minneapolis, MN
Date of Stay: 04/15/12 Review Submitted: 05/09/12

The apartment was tastefully appointed, comfortable and very well situated-- it is within easy walking distance to the Scuderie del Quirinale, the Cavour Metro, and the Colosseum. The modern windows and shutters keep the street noise to a minimum. Though the living room and kitchen are windowless there is adequate electric lighting at night. It was quite cool in Rome this spring, and the modern heating system worked quickly and well. A good cafe breakfast is available in the nearby piazza, and the kitchen is equipped with all the crockery, silverware, pots, pans, and necessary kitchen tools and appliances to prepare and serve a proper meal; however, a counter-top broiler substitutes for a stove. My wife and I have stayed in other Italy Perfect apartments in different parts of Rome, but this one is our favorite so far. Highly recommended.

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Special Thanks

Guest: Jocelyne, Ontario, Canada
Date of Stay: 03/12/12 Review Submitted: 04/01/12

Hi Pat, I just wanted to write to you to let you know how much we enjoyed the Cicero apartment in Rome this month. Paul and Beatrice were wonderful hosts/greeters. So organized! The apartment has so much character and the neighbourhood was so charming. And special thanks to Beatrice for letting our 8-year old son Noah take home the little stuffed mouse as a souvenir. He kept him close for the duration of the trip, and has now introduced him to his other little friends at home.

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You won't want to leave

Guest: BJF
Date of Stay: 11/17/11 Review Submitted: 12/12/11

This was our second stay at the wonderful Cicero apartment where we lived like Romans. A vast improvement has been made in the last two years with new windows that block most, if not all, of the street noise. We walked everywhere from this location, no public transportation needed for us (family of 3 including a 12-year-old son). It's well worth the money spent to live like a local, and of course, the owner is fabulous! The apartment has everything necessary for your stay and is most comfortable. We will likely go back

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Thoroughly Enjoyed Our Stay

Guest: Christy T, Princeton, Massachusetts
Date of Stay: 09/08/11 Review Submitted: 10/01/11

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Cicero apartment. It was beautifully decorated, clean, and comfortable. The neighborhood was delightful - fresh produce, pizza, salumi/cheeses, wine, beer, boutiques and 56 flavors of gelato...all within a block or two. Restaurants were "squisito", and we enjoyed hanging out by the Monti fountain every night with the locals. The Colosseo, Forum, and St. Peter in Chains were all within a ten minute walk. Bus 117 was a breeze to get to the Spanish Steps. Taxis were very prompt. The apartment's owner Beatrice was extremely gracious. We enjoyed communicating with her in Italian-English. After 5 days, we felt like we were truly citizens of the Eternal City. Grazie e arrivederci, Italy Perfect!

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Guest: Mike
Date of Stay: 06/18/11 Review Submitted: 07/08/11

Let me start off by saying that our greeter, Paul and the owner (I can't remember her name) were awesome. They were very nice and answered all our questions, arranged taxi's for us, explaine how to use everything in the apartment, recommended places to eat, etc. We really liked the apartment, it was clean, had lots of books on Rome to use. We especially liked the neighbourhood. It had a very non tourist feel to it. There were many local people around which we really liked. One of the things we really liked doing was going down the street at the end of the night to the local fountain and hanging out with the neighbours and have a beer. People were very friendly. I would definatly recommend IP to my friends. As a matter of fact I already did.

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Guest: Manuel & Barbara
Date of Stay: 05/31/11 Review Submitted: 06/24/11

The Cicero apartment was perfect for the two of us. Everything we needed for cooking, dining and relaxation was provided. Beatrice had a binder with all the local markets, restaurants and specialty shops listed, and just about anything else you needed to know about the apartment or the neighborhood. From the apartment we could walk to just about any sight or hop on the metro at the nearby Cavour station. The owner, Beatrice, was charming and made our stay perfect. We've already recommended Italy Perfect to several friends.

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Guest: Christine S
Date of Stay: 04/25/11 Review Submitted: 05/10/11

I just wanted to drop you a line and let you know how perfect both apartments were. Although both were great, I have to say, Rome was our favourite. But then, Rome itself was our favourite! Beatrice and Gianni are two of the nicest people. They made everything so nice for us, from the bottle of wine and fruit and chocolates, to the maps, lists of restaurants, markets, sights to see....just on and on. They spent the time going over everything with us making us feel like we were being welcomed by two friends. The apartment is so beautiful....Beatrice has made sure there is everything one would need at your finger tips. She has done a fabulous job making the apartment unforgettable, thus making Rome unforgettable. It has been a pleasure going through Italy Perfect. Thank you so much.

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Guest: Italy Traveller, Boston
Date of Stay: 03/30/11 Review Submitted: 04/18/11

Nice Apartment in the Heart of Rome This is a spacious and comfortable apartment in the heart of Rome. The high ceilings make the apartment feel even more spacious. It is easy to walk to many major sights from here and the metro is only a few blocks away. The neighborhood feels more cozy than lots of other parts of Rome. The owner is very friendly and helpful.

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Guest: Brian D.
Date of Stay: 12/24/10 Review Submitted: 01/17/11

Our family had a great time in Rome and the Cicero Apt. was perfect for us. Beatrice and Paul met us and updated us with everything we needed to know about the area and our apartment. We started everyday with a coffee right across the street from our apartment which also had WiFi. We were about two blocks from the Coliseum, Palantine Hills, Forum, and Victor Emmanual Monument. The Trevi Fountain, Campo Di Fiori, Piazza Navonna, and Pantheon was probably about a 15-20 minute walk. Nationale Street was one block away which had buses going in both directions to Termini Train Station (1/2 Mile) or Saint Peter's Basilica (1 1/2 Miles) in the other direction. We never took the bus but could have if we were tired. There were two good restaurants on our block, Tavernale and The Garden Restaurant. Beatrice also told us that there was a pasta shop about a block away. We went back 3 times to buy spinach rav's, meat tortellini, and gnocchi. IT WAS DELICIOUS. Had a wonderful stay and the Cicero apartment. was very cozy and warm. I would highly recommend the Cicero apartment.

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Guest: Chris & Dede, Portland, Oregon
Date of Stay: 10/31/10 Review Submitted: 11/24/10

Feel like a local in Rome! Nov 2010 We really enjoyed our stay in the Cicero apartment. The location was fabulous -- NOT swarming with tourists but so close to the Colosseo that we saw it every day. We used the wonderful notebook of information Beatrice left and shopped in the neighborhood for fresh pasta, cheese, wine and salume, gelato and other critical items. We hung out in the piazza one evening with all the locals, enjoying a glass of wine before dinner. It was great! The apartment was very comfortable and very quiet at night (unlike an apartment we rented near Piazza Navona the previous year from another company). We had our breakfast espressi each morning at the bar across the street before heading off on that day's adventure. We booked tours with Through Eternity for the Forum/Coloseum and their Underground tour. Both were excellent: very knowledgable guides, small groups and a good value. We did our own day trip to Pompeii. It was fantastic! Had a great meal at Al Bric, near Campo dei Fiori. Tried to get into Taverna Trilussa in Trastevere our last night but when we called for a reservation, the earliest seating they had was at 11:30 (yes, PM!). Ah well, something to look forward to on our next trip. We will definitely book through Italy Perfect again. We really appreciated all the information and assistance Pat provided. Thank you!

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A Village in Rome

Guest: Petra W, Texas
Date of Stay: 10/09/10 Review Submitted: 10/29/11

The Cicero apartment in Monti is in a wonderful central location. Monti has many cozy Osterias, small local designer boutiques and antique shops. The area is not overrun by tourists (yet) and feels more like being in a village than in a large city. El Baretto, the little cafe across the street has the best capucchino in town and became our favorite place to start and end the day. If you like a retreat in which you can sit comfortably and look out at the world after an exhausting day of walking and sight seeing Cicero is not be the right choice for you. The two windows of the apertment face the narrow one way street (Via del Boschetto) and since the apartment is on the 2nd american floor you will not see the sky unless you stand right at the window. This made us a bit claustrophic so we spent minimal time in the apartment itself. Lesson learned, next time we will get the apartment with a terrace. If this is not one of your concerns and you are looking for a nicely decorated apartment,equipped with all necessities,very secure and in an area that is still authentic and lovely...Cicero is for you!

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Guest: Alex C
Date of Stay: 09/19/10 Review Submitted: 11/18/10

"A wonderful place to stay." The Cicero apartment was great. It's in a fantastic spot (my wife and I loved just looking out the window and watching people walking up and down the street). The apartment is a good size and it had everything we needed and more. It's a little thing but even having some English language Dvd's there with a Roman theme was a really nice touch. The really good thing about the apartment is that it's located in a quiet, homely, street and you don't feel like you are in the middle of Rome but once you walk out the door, you're within 5 to 10 minutes walk to the Colosseum, Forum, etc. Our hosts made us feel really welcome. They were even nice enough to let us leave our bags there in the morning while they were in the middle of cleaning. It was perfect for our family (2 adults and 2 children) with the two bedrooms, kitchen, laundry, etc. There was nothing it didn't have that we needed (and having the cafe across the street so we could get some nice, warm brioche with our coffee was a very nice bonus). Can't say enough about it. We really loved the area and I'm sure it was a major reason on why we enjoyed Rome so much more than we had expected.

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Guest: Kate Gilbert
Date of Stay: 07/01/10 Review Submitted: 07/12/10

Wonderful Cicero First, I can't thank you enough for all the time and care you and ItalyPerfect put into making our trip a success. Second, I want to thank you for the Cicero Apartment, which we loved. It was our family's first time to Rome and we were travelling with our two daughters, aged 11 and 13. The apartment is beautifully situated with a cafe that seems to stay open full time right in front, a grocery store for everyday stuff up the street, lots of pretty good restaurants all around, and the famous Mia market right around the corner. We never took it but the little electric bus that leaves from in front of the apartment would have been fantastic for getting around. You can walk down to the Colloseum, and through to the Forum, so easily. I can't say enough nice things about the Apartment Owner--just a wonderful woman. We only saw her twice, once at the beginning and once at the end but I would really have liked to have a chance to know her better. She is tremendously organized and thoughtful, but rather shy with the guests if they only speak English. I didn't realize until the end of the stay that she is really more comfortable in French, which I could have managed. You have arranged with your greeter, Paul, that he handles everything and he does a marvellous job. We called him in a pinch over ordering a cab and he was very helpful and generous with his time. Thanks to the careful forethought of our Cicero landlady the apartment comes with a huge "bible" of information--everything from bank atms to taxi stands and information on local restaurants. That was invaluable and quite up to date. We missed it in our apartment in Venice which lacked a comperable book. I want to thank you again, Lisa, for all your thoughtful, generous work ahead of time on the blog, the information, and on finding and maintaining the apartments. I hope we can work with you again soon.

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Guest: Joan D
Date of Stay: 05/08/10 Review Submitted: 05/31/10

We loved the apartment and are considering renting it again next year. The appointments and amenities are well thought out. It was a very comfortable and pretty space to stay in. We also loved the neighborhood. Thank you and Beatrice for all of the arrangements.

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Guest: Stephen
Date of Stay: 04/11/10 Review Submitted: 05/13/10

The location is in a pefect location. Not right on top of the heavy tourist action (a good point) but not so far that you couldn't walk to most of the major sites. The colesseum was ten minutes walking and the trevi fountain and spanish steps were further but within walking distance. The apartment was airy and comfortable, and provided a wonderful bathtub to soak in after a day of walking. The city does not have the metro which Paris has, but the location of the apartment made it easy to get around as I said by foot, or by bus, or if you prefer the short distances meant that taxis were a reasonable alternative. [Rome does have a subway and there is a station close to the apartment but the network is not as extensive as that in Paris.] The staff of ItalyPerfect and the greeter were both very helpful and provided lots of good information to help us get our bearings for our first time in the city. We ran into a bit of a glitch at the end of our stay as a result of the ash disruption of air traffic and the greeter was very understanding and accomodating. I will be recommending the apartment and ItalyPerfect to my friends. Thank you.

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Guest: Lynette L, Georgia
Date of Stay: 04/10/10 Review Submitted: 04/18/11

We are sadly back from our trip to Rome. Apr 2011 I wanted to thank you so much for your apartment recommendation - it was wonderful! The location was perfect, but more importantly the apartment was warm and welcoming. The owner and property manager greeted us and were both so helpful. The apartment was spotless, roomy, and well equipped. The owner had some wonderful touches - a book I like to call our "cheat sheets" on how to operate all the appliances, where to find things from markets, bank, pharmacy, restaurants to favorite stores and sights in the local area. She had candy in dishes, welcoming wine and fruit upon our arrival - it was all lovely! Our neighborhood and all of the people in it was a favorite! Though we toured the city all day, at night we wanted to come back to the neighborhood for our favorite places to eat. We quickly became known by all and shared conversation and good food. By the way, thanks for the recommendation for car service. Stefano was great. The service was timely, the cars were new and clean, and the driver very capable. I sent him a personal thank you! Your service was incredible. Thanks so much for all the guides you provided. I read it all and it came in handy throughout the trip. I will definatley use your service again when traveling in Italy. And believe me.....I will return!

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Guest: Lynn W
Date of Stay: 02/17/10 Review Submitted: 02/16/10

Warm, wonderful, and so very convenient! Anyone visiting Rome would be pleased with the comfort of the Cicero apartment in the Monti area of Rome. Our wonderful hostess made certain that every convenience was available for my 85 year old Aunt, visiting Italy for the first time. From a lovely holiday Panettone, to champagne, to a never-ending listing of neighborhood restaurants and shops and holiday events taking place in the city. The apartment is very warm and cozy and quiet. Tastefully decorated, with all the comforts of home. It's located on a neighborhood street with very little traffic, so we enjoyed restful nights. We experienced most of the dining options nearby, without disappointment. We highly recommend any of those suggested by your Cicero hostess. It was a bit challenging to locate restaurants open for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but with her help, all was well. Accessing public transportation, as well as taxis, was without challenge. The apartment is a short walk from the Colosseum and very easy access to the Spanish Steps with the bus stop just outside your front door. I look forward to my next visit to beautiful Rome and without hesitation, would welcome the chance to spend time again at the Cicero Apartment. Totally delightful experience!

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Guest: Cari A
Date of Stay: 01/11/10 Review Submitted: 01/10/10

just wanted to give you some feedback on our stay in the Cicero apartment, in case you want to add to your reviews. We will definitely recommend it to friends! The apartment was perfect for our family of 4, very cosy and comfortable. It is very well equipped, especially the kitchen, and we were able to cook and eat some very nice meals. We've stayed in many vacation rentals over the years, and have rarely found them to have everything the way this one does, even some DVD movies especially chosen because they are set in Rome. Beatrice, the owner, was very welcoming and especially sweet to our kids. We all felt good about staying in her apartment, and especially appreciated all of the information she provided about the neighborhood and Rome itself. She lives in the Monti neighborhood and gave us very detailed information about the area. She is very proud of her city, and really wanted us to have a great stay - and we did! The apartment location is terrific for sightseeing, and we were able to walk to most locations. We especially enjoyed being so close to the Coliseum and Palatine - we even came back to the apartment for a lunch break partway through our visit there. The apartment also has excellent access to the metro and bus lines, so transportation was very easy. We really loved the neighborhood and the great local restaurants that Beatrice recommended. Also, the apartment is very nicely decorated, with lots of unique and individual touches. It feels like you are staying in someone's cherished home, rather than in a generic rental. I'd really recommend Rome over the holidays. I remembered it as hot, dirty and crowded. In December, it was rainy but lovely with holiday decorations everywhere and mostly Italians on vacation. We still waited in some lines at popular destinations like the Vatican Museum, but it was much better than summer. We especially enjoyed the Christmas market in the Piazza Navona and the way the Christmas lights on so many streets. New Year's Eve was lively (but wet) and Rome was a great place to celebrate. Thanks again for the Italy Discovery Journal. Sarah really enjoyed it, and the whole family enjoyed participating in some parts such as the "Obelisk Odyssey" and of course tasting as many flavors of gelato as possible :) It really helped Sarah get the most out of our trip. We really appreciated all your help with our last-minute booking, and all the excellent information you provide

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Guest: Emalene
Date of Stay: 10/30/09 Review Submitted: 10/29/09

Three weeks in Monti neigborhood Oct 2009 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.

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Guest: Cynthia and Celine
Date of Stay: 10/02/09 Review Submitted: 10/01/09

I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for all the work you did when me and my daughter Cynthia booked the Cicero Apartment in Rome.The apartment was really nice, very well decorated which made it very cozy. In the kitchen there’s everything you need to cook, there’s towels in the bathroom, extra blankets if your cold a T.V and VCR and the list goes on … Beatrice had even bought us some American coffee which we drank to the last drop.About Beatrice, she is such a friendly person you feel like you’ve known her for years. She had a book for us with maps of everything you need in the area , from fish market, bakery, grocery store, bank, internet café, tons of restaurants etc … and when we had questions she was always available.Overall it’s been a great experience and I will recommend the Cicero Apartment to everybody I know who is planning a trip to Rome.I also wanted to thank you for recommending Stefano Repertorio for our car service needs. Like you said he was very courteous and punctual.

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 08/26/09 Review Submitted: 08/25/09

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

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Guest: bmitchell
Date of Stay: 07/01/09 Review Submitted: 06/30/09

A friend and I stayed a week in this lovely property in the Monti area of Rome, where everything one could possibly need can be found within a short distance from the apartment; a meat market, bakery,fresh pasta shop, a wine shop, fresh produce shop , gelateria, newstand, ATM, pharmacy, and general grocery store are all close by. Restaurants of all types abound and the nearest Metro stop is close by, as are bus stops. The neighbors are friendly and welcoming; the local plaza is right around the corner and happily occupied on most nights by friendly locals. And best of all, major sights are close by, making this an ideal location for families with children. Care had been taken in the interior design of this property to preserve it's structure yet provide for simple needs. A compact kitchen hides behind what appears to be a floating wall, seperating the room from the lovely living space. The bathroom is large and comfortable, with a fair-sized window opening onto the interior courtyard. Glassblocks are strategically placed above doors and in the wall of the kitchen,allowing for more flow of light. Furniture is appropriate to the various spaces; nothing overwhelms or seems out of place. The kitchen is well stocked with everything necessary to prepare a large meal. Serious cooks will appreciate the highly effecient gas stove. And, for really hot nights, there is an air conditioner in each bedroom! We did not use them, prefering instead to let the night music in; the purr of traffic and the gentle sounds of glassware tinkling in the restaurant below.

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Guest: Lynne
Date of Stay: 06/23/09 Review Submitted: 06/22/09

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. 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. I usually went downstairs to the bar/coffee shop/restaurant across the street—very convenient, and good for people-watching.Beatrice and our greeter 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!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, spa

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Guest: Mario, Stacy and Lucas
Date of Stay: 05/26/09 Review Submitted: 05/25/09

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.

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Guest: Teri D.
Date of Stay: 02/01/09 Review Submitted: 01/31/09

We LOVED it. The greeters were so personable and the owner so sweet. The neighborhood was great, but the apartment itself was adorable. We felt like we were in someone's private home, not a rental. We have already recommended it to someone.

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Guest: Cary M
Date of Stay: 01/26/09 Review Submitted: 01/25/09

The apartment worked perfectly for us. Jan 2009 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.

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