Question Hi, hope you can give me some advice. My daughter and her friend (both just turning 18) are staying at my father in laws in Paris for the next couple of months. We have been arranging them accomodation with relatives in different places including Germany but we don't know anyone for them to stay with in Rome. They want to stay in an inexpensive hotel for one week to tour Rome. They have already travelled in Europe on School trips and my daughter spent 5 days in Paris at her grandfathers last year and was alone during the day in the city with another friend. They are both responsible. Do you think it would be safe for them to stay in a mid priced hotel in Rome and tour the city on their own? What would one expect to pay for a hotel per day? I am concerned about two young girls being targeted. Thanks so much.
Answer Dear Christine:
I understand the dilemma, I've got a 19 year old myself. Sometimes he's such an adult, but others, well, just inexperienced. At that age I was living in Rome with my family, but going to various European cities with friends for short trips like five days. No problems that I can recall anymore. I'm sure we were just nervous about missing our trains, loosing passports, getting lost and, most of all, running out of our limited funds.
Rome is a safe city in general, they would simply have to also be careful themselves. The biggest danger is pickpockets who target people who seem confused, inexperienced and not careful, which sounds a lot like 18 year olds. They would also want to be careful about not staying out too late in night life areas like Campo dei Fiori and Trastevere, hanging out with "characters" and loosing control by drinking too much or use of drugs.
Rome is also relatively small; you can walk the entire historical city but there is good public transportation with busses and subways. The subways stop at midnight and busses go on a night schedule, so staying out late creates problems.
I think if you are comfortable with them being on their own and I know many kids who are very trustworthy, then Rome is a good city to send them to. Lots to see and do during the day. The night life is there but not so intense and pervasive as in other big cities.
I think I would want them in a hotel with a front desk that is staffed 24x7. A B&B or pensione may not be staffed at night and I would feel more comfortable that if they came in late at night and someone was following them, then there would be assistance for them.
Also being very central is good so they don't have to ride busses late or walk long streets.
Take a look at this site for hotels. I think I'd want to pay e200/night for something mid-range. Seems like a lot, but Rome is expensive. http://www.venere.com/?ref=41910
