I visit Rome every year or so, and have lots of experience with various rentals. This was by far the best experience I've ever had. It was my best friend's first time traveling to Italy, and the apartment made her stay very special. I have never rented in the Prati district north of the Vatican before, but it will be my choice in the future.
Desiree's apartment was exactly as described in the listing, so there were no surprises. The terrace with its awning was fabulous, and we spent lots of time relaxing there after seeing the sights. I loved the kitchen, which was well furnished, and I cooked a number of meals there. The living room and bedroom were large and airy.
I especially appreciated the location, which was a 10-minute walk to St. Peter's. If you then follow via della Conciliazione, which runs directly from the Vatican, you'll come to the Castel Sant'Angelo and there you can cross either of several bridges to get to the rest of the city. All of the most popular destinations are within a 30-40 minute walk. The metro is nearby, and very easy to use as well, and you should feel confident about trying it out. We usually took our time to walk to the far reaches of our excursions, then used Goggle Maps to find bus routes back. Hurray for the #23 bus!
If you cook, as I do, and want the chance to utilize the wonderful array of ingredients available, you should know that the largest market in Rome, il Mercato Trionfale, is just minutes away. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed going there to choose wonderful cheeses, beautifully arranged meats and of course, bread and pastries. I reveled in the bitter greens available in spring, and a very nice man at a scarf shop gave me his recipe for making them with anchovies and garlic.
Rome is a city, and there are plenty of residents, workers and tourists there right now, but after two years of the world's "special situation," the Romans were beyond hospitable and helpful. It was much less crowded than usual, and we probably had a once in a lifetime experience seeing all the sights without the usual pandemonium. We encountered a transit strike and got lots of friendly advice about getting home! Make sure you have your vaccine cards and N95 masks (the same kind you'll need for your flight).
Desiree kept in close touch throughout our two-week stay, and was very helpful taking care of a very small water problem which was probably due to a severe electrical storm and which was easily fixed. It's nothing for others to worry about, but it did demonstrate that she is there when you need her.
This was a lovely apartment, and I really can't recommend it more. Desiree was a great host, and the location was exceptional. If you're still feeling nervous about travel, please know that we had a great time in Rome, and you're sure to enjoy it as well. Buon viaggio!