What do you look for when choosing an apartment in Rome? Every traveler has different priorities but ours were that it was clean, modern and comfortable; that it had AC, good transport links, wifi and a walk-in shower to wash away the traces of a long day's sightseeing. We also wanted to stay in Trastevere with its medieval cobbled streets, its enticing mix of bars and restaurants, its bustling street life and its authentic residential feel. Domus Castel Bright ticked every box… and a few we hadn't even listed.

It is four minutes walk from Trastevere's railway station, itself an easy €8 train ride from Fiumicino airport. We made the trip from Fiumicino to Rome by car, kindly arranged by our hosts, but chose to make the return trip by train (FR1) to see just how easy it would be.

You are a stone's throw from Rome's most famous flea market. Every Sunday between 8.00am and 2.00pm a thousand stall-holders ply their wares in the streets surrounding Viale della Mura Portuensi. At times it seems as if all Rome is there, either selling or buying. It's a must for the serious people watcher and for anyone hunting for unusual and elusive mementos of their stay in Rome.

And if you are fans of jazz, which we are, you are within easy reach of Casa del Jazz, Rome's most important jazz venue. Where else can you listen to some of the world's best jazz musicians in a jaw dropping venue confiscated from a convicted crime boss? But be sure to book to avoid disappointment.

While Trastevere has its own attractions, foremost among them Piazza Santa Maria and its beautiful church, you can easily reach all of the must-see sights using public transport. From Trastevere railway station trams and buses connect you to the the Vatican Museums, the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and the Spanish Steps. Depending on your stay you can buy one-, three- or seven-day transport passes that allow you to move seamlessly from one sight to another.

And at the end of the day, weary from walking, you can head 'home' to Boutique Domus Castel Bright where you can cook a simple meal, open a bottle of wine and amuse yourself watching Italian TV… or recharge your batteries before heading out for a further taste of La Dolce Vita.

We can't wait to return.