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We recommend the following B&B in the Rome area

Il Colle Degli Ulivi - Zagarolo Translated as Olive Tree Hill. A Bed and Breakfast located just 30 minutes from the centre of Rome by train. It is far enough from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, but near enough to enjoy its beauties every day. We offer a quiet and natural environment to relax and unwind after a long day visiting the treasures of Rome. Ivano and Terhi are an Italian/Finnish couple interested in sharing their hospitality with you when you visit Rome and the surrounding countryside. Check out their reviews on Tripadvisor

Rome is a wonderful city. All there is a fairly small area (Kissinger referred to it as a village), walkable if you are so inclined, but a brilliant public transport system that covers every corner. Soon to open are the new Metro lines, extending the capacity of the Metro significantly. But the buses are superb: they take a bit of getting used to, but once you have mastered the system!!

Advice:

Papal Audiences - When the pope is in Rome, he gives a public audience every Wednesday beginning at 10:30am (sometimes at 10am in summer). It takes place in the Paul VI Hall of Audiences, although sometimes St. Peter's Basilica and St. Peter's Square are used to accommodate a large attendance. Anyone is welcome, but you must first obtain a free ticket from the office of the Prefecture of the Papal Household, accessible from St. Peter's Square by the Bronze Door, where the colonnade on the right (as you face the basilica) begins. The office is open from Monday through Saturday from 9am to 1pm. Tickets are readily available on Monday and Tuesday; sometimes you won't be able to get into the office on Wednesday morning. Occasionally, if there's enough room, you can attend without a ticket. You can also write ahead to the Prefecture of the Papal Household, 00120 Città del Vaticano (tel. 06-69883114; fax 06-69885863), indicating your language, the dates of your visit, the number of people in your party, and (if possible) the hotel in Rome to which the cards should be sent the afternoon before the audience.  At noon on Sunday, the pope speaks briefly from his study window and gives his blessing to the visitors and pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square. From about mid-July to mid-September, the Angelus and blessing take place at the summer residence at Castelgandolfo, some 26km (16 miles) out of Rome and accessible by Metro and bus.

 Advice archive

External Links:

For information on the Castelli Romani

For information on the Eternal City

Check out EasyJets fares to  Ciampino Airport

And look at Ryanair's cheap flights

Rome Explorer - An extensive directory of Rome-related web resources

For another view of Rome - and a lot of info - here's a very good site