How To Avoid Overpriced Rome Hotels and Save

Before you start off on your exciting holiday to Rome, you might need to think about where you’re going to stay. Most of us just default to staying in a chain hotel, but there are other options out there that could be better. Have you considered renting a self-catered holiday apartment, instead?

Apartments in Rome have a lot of things to offer that you can’t find in your average hotel. You’ll pay less for more space by renting an apartment, and you’ll get the same kind of control over your space that you’d have at home. Hotel living simply can’t offer the amount of comfort and freedom you’ll get by choosing apartments instead.

Have you ever been irritated by the cramped conditions you find in most hotel rooms, the cost of getting a suite for more space, and the need to eat out wherever you go while on holiday? You’re not alone – many other people find that they’d rather stay somewhere that feels more like home, even if it requires just a little more work on their part. That’s why the private kitchen, opportunity to shop at local markets, and laundry facilities of a self-catered apartment are so appealing.

Anyone who likes to have that “home away from home” feel and wants to have control over their living space, avoid having to deal with routine housekeeping or other inconveniences (they’re available if you ask) and wants to save money on their vacation should take a look at the apartment options. Don’t expect hotel services in one fo these apartments, but don’t expect hotel prices and crowding, either!

Pick an apartment that features a terrace or balcony, and you’ll be able to enjoy outside dining, with a beautiful background view. Don’t take in Rome just as a tourist – live in an actual residential area that lets you learn more about the city and feel more like a local.

For the best trip, make sure you understand what’s different about an apartment and prepare appropriately. Know when to expect the cleaning service and linen changes, plan for the fact that there’s no round the clock desk service, and make sure you know what extras you want ahead of time and book them then. Learn about your shopping options and enjoy the benefits of learning how citizens live – it’s less expensive and more rewarding.

Think carefully about arrival and departure, so you won’t have to store your bags. Most travelers staying in apartments arrive after two pm and fly out in the morning to keep this from being a problem. Early or late check-ins do require a little bit of advance planning.

However, if you know what to expect and you arrive prepared, a holiday apartment could be the perfect antidote to the conventional hotel stay. Families, couples, groups and single travelers can all benefit from choosing an apartment instead. Take the time to find out more, and you may find that a holiday apartment is just the opportunity you’ve been waiting for!

To find your perfect Romantic apartment in Rome, visit Rome-Accom.com and choose from nearly 200 quality apartments in the Eternal City. For other Italy accommodation, visit our Italy-Accom.com site.

Visit Any Of These 6 Towns Near Rome During Their Festival

Sfida dei Borghi (Challenge of the Wards) – Monte Compatri. Monte Compatri being a town whose origins are even older than Rome, it is obvious that its people are quite rightly proud of their ancient past. Once a year, in mid-August, they hold festivities consisting of various tests and games of skill, with an archery contest among the 5 wards of the town as the centrepiece of the celebrations. A historical procession with about 300 participants dressed in 17th century costume takes place before the contest, providing a splendid feast of colours. At the same time street artists conduct their performances in other parts of the town, so that the whole population can fully enjoy the festivities.

Mercatini del 600 (17th century Markets) – Bassano Romano. Would you like to spend a day back in the 17th century, do some shopping among stalls arranged as they were at that time and have a lunch or dinner based on age-old recipes? If you are interested, all you have to do is go to Bassano Romano in early July. You will see people dressed in a 17th century manner, while all decorations, from flags to torches, from floral displays to typical local scenes will reflect a way of living of days gone by, when people were undoubtedly not as well off as they are today, but somehow seemed more serene and less stressed than they are now. The event is viewed so important by the local authorities and the entire population that every year experts are called upon for advice and supervision in order to ensure maximum accuracy in this living representation of the towns history.

Gara dei Giochi di Bandiera (Flag Wavers’ Competition) – Piansano Romano. In the Middle Ages each Italian city used to have its own government, without an overall ruling authority. In fact these cities were often at war with one another, which called for the creation of local armies, as well as for the identification of a flag or banner for each city. In time, as national unification brought this state of affairs to an end, the individual flags lost their purpose. However, they have since become a symbol of the old city or town to which they belonged and frequently new ones have been designed to represent city wards. Obviously, this has led to a number of colourful and extremely enjoyable contests among various teams, and the one held in July at Piansano Romano offers an excellent opportunity to see with your own eyes one of these friendly, but equally hard-fought competitions.

Cena Medievale (Medieval Dinner) – Vignanello. Summertime in Italy spells night and day festivities and celebrations. Because the days are usually so warm, people normally tend to go out at night. So, quite a number of events take place in the evening. This is just what happens at Vignanello, a town located fairly close to Rome. On the third week of July a medieval dinner is held in town to enable guests to taste dishes prepared in accordance with old recipes of local cuisine. The setting definitely harks back to the Middle Ages and the sensation of having for a moment reverted to an ancient past is enhanced by a historical procession, where the participants wear period costumes. As a final touch, flag-wavers provide a splendid exhibition in which folklore and ability are equally matched.

Infiorata (Flower Petal Art Display) – Genazzano. This is one of Italy’s most famous street art displays. It consists of the artistic arrangement of millions of flower petals along the streets of Genazzano, near Rome, in such a way as to create all sorts of delicate designs on a variety of subjects. The whole display, which dates from over a century ago and takes place on the first Sunday in July, is well over half a mile long and demands great ability and dedication on the part of the artists involved, who plan their work well in advance. On Sunday afternoon, a solemn procession will follow the route of the infiorata to celebrate the Feast of the Sacred Heart. The procession too is extremely interesting from an artistic point of view. Over 400 participants are dressed in carefully prepared costumes to represent men, scenes and topics from the Old Testament, the New Testament and the history of the Church. Pharaohs, queens, maids, Jews, high priests, slaves and many other figures parade to portray a living picture of great visual impact.

Sagra dei Bucatini all’Amatriciana (Festival of Bucatini all’Amatriciana) – Nerola. When it comes to regional cuisine, it is safe to say that Italy is second to no other country. You can easily check this if you are in Italy by simply walking into a restaurant or a trattoria. Just ask the waiter for advice and you wont regret it. However, if you are in Rome and wish to try a regional specialty served in a festive atmosphere typical of small Italian towns, you should go to Nerola, where at the above Festival held on a midsummer evening you would have an opportunity to enjoy as a main course the famous type of pasta called bucatini seasoned with a sauce containing also pancetta (a type of bacon). The meal features also bruschetta (toasted bread seasoned with olive oil, salt and garlic) as a starter, while small skewered pieces of chicken and pork follow the main course. Sweets and other delicacies are also be available for gourmets delight.