Had a fantastic time in Rome, it was a 75th birthday treat for my mom.

Carlo is a very friendly host, his room is upstairs and he was very discrete. So we had the apartment pretty much to ourselves. The apartment is very spacious and had everything we needed. Its on the 5th floor and there is a lift.

Don't be put off by the graffiti when you first arrive. We found the neighbourhood to be safe and friendly. Lots of different places to eat and drink are close by and it's mostly locals with very few tourists. Cheap too! One bar was selling a bottle of Peroni for 2 euros. I really liked the meatballs (polpette) and potatoes at Osteria Dei Colli Emiliani at Via Tiburtina, 104. If you feel like a night in, then go to Il Mattarello d'oro round the corner at Via degli Equi, 41 - its a take away where they sell lots of different food. You choose want you want from the display cabinets and they heat it up for you.

We used the bus a lot. Out of the building turn left, then right, then cross the road to catch the 71 to the centre - you can buy a bus ticket from the news stand - which will take you past the Trevi fountain and into the centre by the Piazza Colonna. Catch the 116 which is a little electric bus that will take you on a little tour of the city down all the narrow streets as well as up to the Villa Bourghese and the Vatican - it takes about 90 minutes to do a complete circuit.

For the trams, turn right out of the building and keep straight until you reach the tram line. Stay this side for the 3 tram which will take you to the Colosseum or cross the road to take the 19 which takes you past the Villa Bourghese and onto the Vatican - the 19 does take a while to get there though.

All in all a fantastic holiday and would definitely recommend staying here.