We had a wonderful stay at Battista’s and would highly recommend it. It is more in line with the wonderful original idea of AirBnB, of allowing travelers and locals to meet and get to share hospitality rather than just an alternative way to book an annonymous hotel or vacation home, and getting to spend time in neighborhoods you might otherwise miss. When my mother and I arrived, Battista warmly welcomed us, and it was really fun getting to know him more over the time we were there. We shared the home with him and a lovely Spanish couple also there. His home is beautifully decorated with a wide variety of art—his own work and many other artists over the years—and it is like living in a small art gallery.
A few practicalities:
The kitchen area is very nice, and perfect for preparing simple snacks and meals, ideally with fresh produce and meats and cheeses bought just across the street at the daily food market. We much preferred this to Campo di Fiori for quality and price.
The best way to get around from his place are the buses, NOT metro, and he was a great guide for explaining the layout of the city. The 714 gets you directly to Termini and other buses at the same stop get you to the Colosseum, Piazza Venezia, and other core locations. Google maps has really good integration with the Rome bus system. Super easy and inexpensive. The buses pick up on Via Cristoforo Colombo.
Battista recommend the osteria Ar Grottino der Traslocatore just a few blocks away and it was wonderful local Roman food—better than Trastevere or Monti. Il Girasole, just downstairs is supposed to be great for lunch but we didn’t get a chance to try it.
The area is quite green, and provides a break from the crowds and swampy heat of lower lying areas of Rome, which would be particularly welcome in the middle of summer. The Via Appia Antica Park (old Appian Way) is within walking distance and is great for walking and biking (and dodging cars and vespas) on stone roads that have been in continuous use for well over 2000 years.
Thanks Battista for everything!
Katharine and Margaret