Independence Square Inn Rome

I had always intended on learning the language before my first visit to Rome, afterall it's only polite but with work commitments keeping me out and about for anything up to 18 hours a day learning was the last thing on my mind whenever my boots finally came off. Saying that though you really don't need the language as it is without doubt one of the largest tourist hubs in the world.

Arriving at Termini station post flight it took no time to find our way to Independence Square where we were greeted by the son of the owner...I think. Luca advised me on some the best ways to get around the city, as all the tourist attractions are to the east of Termini. Some people would think this a disadvantage but it was perfect for two reasons. Firstly, you got to see more of the city en route to wherever you had planned, a lot of the time there were major detours as something would catch my eye. The other main advantage is that is so much cheaper than booking a hotel on the steps of the Trevi fountain of the Piazza Navona.

The rooms, though small, are just right for those looking to see Rome on a budget...not even the bizarre singing children on the television mounted on the corner could prevent you from thinking this. The hotel is directly above a restaurant owned by the same family that own the hotel, meaning guests of the hotel can avail of a percentage off their bill should they decide to dine there. Travel is cheap too, the bus service operate an all day pass...which I always bought even though I knew that 99% of the time nobody who either check or care if I had but karma's important. Strolling around the neighourhood at 5am allows you to soak up the real Rome, granted many Romans would insist that all the tourist sites are part of the real Rome but there was something special about being out of the way of all that iconography but at the same time feeling it's presence on every street corner.

I have no immediate intentions on returning to Rome, as like most places, once you've seen it the only reason to return is to show it to someone else, but if I did I'd return to Indepence Square and the old woman dressed in a bin bag that haunts the neighbourhood.