All,

OK...Excursions.

How does Regent deal with these excursions if Rome is the disembarkation port? We are very interested in the "Exclusively Rome!" excursion. However, we do not know out Regent deals with the excurions if the city is the disembarkation port.

Be are very seriously considering staying two nights in Rome using Regent's Hotel program to stay at the Hotel Bernini Bristol Roma.

Would Regent transfer our luggage to our room at the Bernini Bristol while we are touring Rome?

Thanks,

Jan

Jan - I don't know the answer to your question about the luggage, but we stayed at the Bernini Bristol last year thru RSSC and we loved it. Great location, got wonderful restaurant recommendations every night from the Concierge, room was very nice, its an old hotel but they have updated the rooms nicely, they have a wonderful rooftop bar with great views of St. Peters.

My recollection was that the only excursion they did on disembarkation day was a city tour for those going to the airport with late flights. We transferred with them, but they took us right from the ship to the hotel, there weren't any other options.

Rome was fairly easy to do things on your own. You can easily walk or take cabs, lots of English is spoken. The people are warm and friendly. If you have not been there, you can ask us here where to go. Tour guides there must be licensed but I am sure there are some favorites around here. By the time you do the Vatican, The Forum and Colleseum, See the Spanish Steps, The Trevi Fountain, Shop on the via Condotti and Via Veneto your two days will be over!

Jan, you might also check with either Daniele or Remo at www.driverinrome.com about a combo transfer private tour. We used them a couple of years ago and they were great. When we showed up at the Colosseum, the lines were around the corner. Daniele took us to a ticket office over by the Forum to buy our tickets,where there was no line, and then back to the Colosseum, where with tickets in hand we walked right in. At the Vatican, we ran into the same thing with the lines in the morning. He took us back there in the mid afternoon after the lines disipated and we walked right in. It was well worth the money to see all that we saw in just one day. Others that had taken the ships tour saw maybe 1/4th of what we got to see that day.

ChatKat,

I think we are beginning to look more towards your idea of doing Rome on our own, but we are still weighing our options.

JoAnn,

The Bristol is on our short list of 2 hotel options. The other is a small, recently opened hotel "The Inn at the Roman Forum." As the name implies, the property is adjacent to the Roman Forum. The initial reviews of the hotel are very positive and it just seems to be a wonderful option. (www.slh.com/italy/rome/hotel_hufcor.html)

Decisions, decisions, decisions...and another question:

If we go with the Inn at the Roman Forum, how difficult is it to arrange transportation from the port to the hotel? What is the best way to do this ?

Thanks for putting up with my questions.

v/r

Jan

Jan: When is your cruise? We spent Xmas in Rome - outstanding trip - I love Rome! It is very walkable...our weather was great - would not want to walk all day in the "summer heat" .. I will post review after first of the year - in meantime, email if you have any questions I might help you with - we toured Rome for full day, with private guide, in fall 2003 - and spent 2 days in fall 2005 - BUT a week in Rome is heaven - Joanna

Joanna,

Please post your report soon. Rome is my favorite city in the world!!! Where did you stay?

Jan,

I agree with the prior posts. Rome is very doable on your own. Just get a good guide book ( I like the DK Eyewitness travel guide) and map out what you want to do in your 2 days. Be aware that Vatican museums are closed Sundays and close early afternoon Saturdays ( in case those days are involved).

I have used Bob\'s Limo service for transfers from and to hotel from airport. My uncle and aunt used them twice also for private tours and transfer to port for a cruise. They were very satisfied with their services. Another option is have your hotel arrange for a car. We have done that as well and the rate is usually comparable to what the limo company would charge.

Joanna,

We are taking the 14 May Barcelona-Rome trip on the Voyager which will put us in Rome on the 21st of May.

Maria,

We are more and more leaning to "doing Rome on our own." My wife has my almost talked into three nights in Rome to give us time to see as much as possible. She has visited Rome twice before and has some familiarity of the city.

I went to "Bob's Limo" website and didn't see rates for transfers from the port to the city. Do you happen to remember what their costs were? If not, no problem, we'll contact them and ask.

We are also getting excited about the food in Rome. We've started checking Frommer's for restaurants. Suggestions? (Yes, we are getting way ahead of the game...just getting excited.)

Thanks to all.

v/r

Jan

Hi Jan,

You are right, there are no rates posted in his website.

I think the transfer to the airport was around 50 Euros and to the port around 130 Euros? I thought I still had the e-mails from Bob but I don't, sorry! I remember sending him an e-mail and getting the info on rates right away.

I hope you can arrange to stay for the 3 nights. That'll make a big difference in what you'll be able to cover. If you stay for a 3rd night( even if you only stay for 2 nights!) try to go to the Borghese Gallery . Amazing sculptures! Reservations are required.

Maria: We stayed at Hotel Della Torre Argentina, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, 102 - Campo de Fiori was in our backyard - my favorite neighborhood - can I live there for a year please??? If you check Tripadvisor 85% of the reviews are positive - the other 15%??? Ridiculous complaints, I think, but we are easy to please and love down to earth hotels, restaurants etc - we had room #501 with terrace - small but charming room.. was it the Four Seasons?? No but sooooo wonderful FOR US - kids had a triple they loved....what a view - front desk are now like family - someone on TA said they stayed with family of 16 - all were happy at the hotel and drive Fords, Camrys etc - just her brother who drives a Cadillac was not happy - says it all - we also loved Trastevere -- the alleys, the locals, the real Rome - I can do all the 5 star hotels here in the states - flavor??? Mom and Pop places in Rome - atleast for us maybe not for everyone - Jan, if I had just 2-3 days I might do the trip/hotel differently especially if you do not have time to be adventuresome - my daughter mapped out all restaurants etc so we had our own guide, so to speak - the hotel had best huge map - and I have many guide books this map was excellent - I took extras would be happy to mail one to you - Joanna

Joanna,

Thank you so much. I'm always looking for hotel recommendations for Rome. This past summer we also stayed at a hotel by Campo de Fiori, Hotel Ponte Sisto. I loved the location. So nice to end the day with a glass of wine at the Campo. And I also agree with your comments on Trastevere.

We ended with expresso at the Campo - I, too, loved the location - I would go back in a heartbeat....incredible city!!!!!

If I could only convince my DH and kids to go to Rome over Christmas, like you did! What did you do on Christmas?

No doubt it was "different" being away from home (our first time) BUT...piazzas and restaurants quiet EXCEPT for Americans on the 24th and 25th - fun being in the "in" places (Pantheon, Trevi, Spanish Steps, etc) and meeting folks from Vt, NYC and Capetown (yes) - we kept saying it is Xmas Eve and we are in ROME!!!! The 25th streets were quiet but by noon lively...not many places open for dinner but we found a great spot - an experience with others from USA, Maria !!! We loved it and so did the kids - Xmas morning we met on our balcony (chilly)for coffee and small gifts...and the views OH MY!!!!

Very special, Joanna!! Can't wait for your review.

Jan,

If you are considering walking tours, send me a private message or email me. We found a fantastic company for walking tours of Rome.