Because I had lived in Rome for over a year and have been to the city numerous times in my life, I didn't give much thought to the fact that my knowing the city so well would be such a bonus to him. He even remarked that I should write a brief article and tell people how to make the most of a short trip to the Eternal City, especially for those who are spending time in other places in Italy and don't have many days to visit Rome. So, I decided to take him up on his suggestion.



First and foremost is location. I would highly recommend a hotel near Piazza della Repubblica. There are a number of hotels in this area, ranging from two to five stars. Furthermore, the inexpensive (1 Euro per ride on the subway or bus) public transportation in the area is awesome.

The Piazza della Republicca area is a short walk from the main train station (Stazione Termini) where Rome's two subway lines (A and B) meet. The subway stop in this area is "Repubblica," which is on the A line and allows you to easily reach the Vatican (Ottaviano stop), and the Spanish steps (Spagna stop), which is also in walking distance. If you walk (5-10 minutes) or take the subway one stop to Termini, you can switch to the "B" line, which will then get you to the Coliseum (Colosseo stop) and the Circus Maximus (Circo Massimo stop).

In addition to having a key subway stop, the Piazza della Republicca area is an EXCELLENT neighborhood to be in to take advantage of Rome's bus system. The main artery leading to and from Piazza della Republicca is Via Nazionale, where you can take any number of buses to Piazza Venezia (about a 10 minute ride). From Piazza Venezia, you can then walk down Via del Corso, which will lead you to the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. Just follow the crowds and the signs and you will certainly reach both!

If you are willing to walk a bit farther, you can proceed from the Pantheon to Piazza Navona and then to Largo Argentina, where you can then catch a bus (again there are many) that will take you back up Via Nazionale to the Piazza della Republicca area or hop on the tram and go across the river to visit the beautiful and very charming neighborhood of Trastevere.

Like most great cities, it is impossible to see and do everything that Rome has to offer in a relatively short time. But if your goal is to hit some of the key monuments and sites, location and transportation will be crucial to your doing so in an efficient and easy way.