Hospitality: David was fantastic in writing to me, answering my questions and explaining how to get to his apartment via public transportation from the airport. He came to the metro station to pick me up and then gave me a three-page explanation about the apartment and neighborhood (restaurants, grocery stores, etc). He was always enthusiastic about giving me explanations of where to go. He saved me a trip to the opera house to buy my opera ticket by buying my opera ticket for me online so that I could pay him back in cash. David and Alyssa took the extra step of driving me to the airport shuttle bus stop by the Vatican so that I could avoid taking the metro to the main train station, Termini, to take the train or bus to the airport.
Human connection:
I had wonderful long conversations with David and Alyssa (his girlfriend) about travel, living off the grid, and other philosophical topics. Both are warm and welcoming and genuinely keen on connecting with me on a human level, not just because I was an Airbnb guest in their home. David speaks excellent English! But if you want to practice your Italian, he is more than happy to oblige!
Neighborhood and apartment:
David has a collection of guides and maps about Rome in different languages to borrow. The bedroom has its own patio with a view of the Vatican. The WiFi is fast and good.
The neighborhood is great and is not touristy. You can walk to the Vatican from the apartment. The apartment is near two metro stations and a train station.