La Casa di Silvestro was our first AirBnB experience, and to say we were blown away is an understatement. First, the apartment is really huge, far bigger than we expected. City flats all over the world tend to be small, but this one had two very large bedrooms and two full bathrooms, a cozy and intimate entry with TV and dining table, a very serviceable and well-equipped kitchen and an enormous lounge in the rear. The neighborhood is charming enough with all anyone could want, along with warm and engaging people managing the shops and ristorantes. Do not miss the family owned and operated Ristorante Cannavota around the corner for reasonably-priced Roman-style pasta, veal, seafood, dolcis, whatever, with service to make you feel related to the owners, The location is outstanding--walking distance to the Colosseum if you want, but only three bus stops if you don't. The Metro is right there and connects to any site you may wish to see within twenty minutes or so.

But we can't say enough about Francesca Parodi (and her adorable two-year-old son, SIlvestro. She was there to meet us and make sure everything was okay, checked in every day thereafter, offered tips and advice and made us feel as though we were the most important thing in her universe. It's customary to see new places when you travel, but it's rare to make new friends.

I'd been to Rome before, but my wife, never. I'd promised her for more than forty years to take her to the Fountains of Trevi, so our trip involved some romance for sure. Our daughter and grandson, whom we hadn't seen for a long time, were able to travel from Istanbul to meet and stay with us. Francesca and Casa di Silvestro helped create a memory all of us will cherish forever.