Taking a bus back to Rome after two months of cycling, I only cared about one thing regarding my room: That it be close to the bus station. I didn’t expect much in the “cheapest area in Rome.” So imagine my surprise and delight when I rode (less than 20 minutes) into a wonderful neighborhood filled with interesting apartments from various eras, many quite beautiful, to Maria’s place with her own ancient Roman aqueduct virtually in her back yard! Up the white marble staircase and Presto! a wonderful apartment where I met her son who helped me with local metro and bus stops so I could access the places I wanted to see (all close by), a pizzeria and even a wonderful restaurant literally right around the corner. Good luck choosing just one their many incredible desserts. Despite not feeling well the day I arrived, Maria was always there either by text or Airbnb messages if I had any questions. The apartment is better than the pictures with a large kitchen if you wish to cook (I didn’t) and a large bathroom/shower if you want to shower (which I did). She even checked in on me a couple of times to make sure everything was going OK. Extremely nice, caring woman!
This morning I rode to the train station to return my bicycle and me to the Fiumicino airport and she’s even closer to that train station than the bus station. Only 800 meters! So if coming from the airport, you’ll be able to walk there from the Roma Tuscolana Station. If you want to stay in the center of all Rome’s touristy chaos 24/7, well good luck with that. But for the rest of you who want to be a little out of the way (but still within easy reach of the center) in a quiet, cool neighborhood (with your own private Roman aqueduct), see, experience and enjoy the REAL “vita romana” in a really nice apartment just out of reach of the tourist hordes and most likely save quite a bit of money while doing all those things, then Ave Maria’s!