There are 'holiday homes' and holiday 'homes' – while the first functions as little more than a bed for the night, the second offers you a chance to experience a more authentic, everyday experience in your destination of choice. This cosy, city-centre apartment definitely falls into the latter category, and it's all the better for it. Of course, there are places you could stay closer to the most famous tourist sights, but here you have the chance to get stuck into real Roman life. Testaccio is the historic home of Rome's slaughterhouses. Once upon a time, its distinctive offal-based cuisine was served out of necessity. Nowadays, it has been elevated to a gourmet delicacy. For lunch, walk ten minutes to Trentatre, a chic cafeteria-style restaurant that serves up wholesome, seasonal dishes at incredibly competitive prices. For food on the go, pick up a trapizzino – a pizza pocket stuffed with sweetmeats. Alternatively, grab a seat at Checchino Dal 1887. Nowhere better represents the area than this six-generation family-owned and operated eatery. If the local cuisine inspires you, it’s easy to imagine yourself swanning through the local food markets and chatting to the vendors before whipping up dinner in the flat. With its innovative trattorias and cool craft breweries, a short five-minute walk to trendy Trastevere offers an entirely different atmosphere. And if you do need to get to the centre, it’s just a few stops on the metro.


Home truths:
* Child-friendly amenities such as a cot are available upon request
* Convenient self check-in
* Though you probably won't need a car, there's paid parking off premises
* Although there's a lift, it doesn't stop on the first floor, so you'll have two flights of stairs to climb
* There's no oven, just a microwave
* Tall guests take note – the shower is only 185cm high
* You may hear foot traffic and passing trams from within the flat
* The third and fourth guests will be on a sofa bed in the living room