The apartment lies just beyond the walls of Vatican City. Every Catholic’s pilgrimage and the official residence of the Pope, Vatican City also houses one of the world’s most famous art collections, the Sistine Chapel, and of course, St. Peter’s Basilica. A separate city-state since 1929, a visit to Vatican City is not to be missed.

To visit the Vatican, walk along Via di Santa Maria alle Fornaci to Via delle Fornaci. Continue on this road until you reach the Vatican.

To reach Piazza Navona, famous for its fountains and artists, walk to Via delle Fornaci and take the 64 bus (toward Termini). Exit after six stops at Corso Vittorio Emanuele/Navona. From Piazza Navona, you can easily reach Campo de` Fiori, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and Spanish Steps by foot.

To get to the Spanish Steps (though it may be easier to walk from the Trevi Fountain – Via del Corso to Via dei Condotti), you may also want to consider taking the 64 bus (toward Termini). Exit after eight stops at Via Torre Argentina. From here take the 119 bus (toward Corso/Popolo) for 9 stops and exit at the Spanish Steps. Or, you may prefer to wait until the end of the line for Piazza del Poppolo and Villa Borghese.

To get to Colosseum, take the 64 bus (toward Termini). Exit after ten stops at Aracoeli/Piazza Venezia. From here, walk along Via dei Fori Imperiali to see the ancient Roman ruins and arguably, the world’s most famous arena, the Colosseum.

To reach the charming, bohemian neighborhood of Trastevere take the 64 bus (toward Termini). Exit after eight stops at Via Torre Argentina, one of Rome’s main bus stops. From here, take the 8 tram 3 stops to Trastevere. Or if weather permits, walk alongside the tram for a great view of Rome’s island, Tiburtina.

Where to Eat & Drink
Rome is filled with thousands of great restaurants, but here are a few great places nearby your apartment:

Café Live music, art exhibitions, and themed cocktail nights make Art Studio Café an invigorating place, and not just because of the caffeine buzz. Check out their website for current events, or stop by for a cappuccino. Via dei Gracchi 187, tel. 06 972-777-286. Open from 8am to 1am. www.artcafestudio.com

For Lunch or Dinner For a salad or light meal in the midst of your busy travel schedule, try Insalata Ricca right across from the Vatican walls. Piazza del Risorgimento, 5. tel. 06 397-3038).

Drinks The Place hosts happy hour daily from 7pm complete with a preview of the evenings musicians. Mostly Italian jazz artists entertain patrons. Dinner is available Thursday through Saturday, with drinks all week long. Via Alberico II, 27/29. tel 06 683-07137