Pencil Graffiti

The palazzo that houses this apartment is something to behold. It's a wonderfully historic building that backs onto a little square and housed renowned American expressionist painter Cy Twombly for a good part of his later life. Once inside, the apartment is simple and traditional but elegant. There are plenty of eye-catching original features on display, including the stunning exposed beam ceiling and open fireplace, It lacks the personal effects of a lived-in home, which will appeal to those who tend to find Roman apartments on the busy side, but your hosts made your comfort their number one priority – the beds (and linens in particular) feel very luxurious and make getting up in the morning that little bit trickier. Explore the labyrinth of streets and you'll find yourself a few minutes' walk from the River Tiber, a five-minute stroll from Piazza Campo de' Fiori and 550 metres from the stunning Piazza Navona.

Home truths:
* There's no lift in the building, and the apartment is on the first floor, so it may not be suitable for those with limited mobility
* Child-friendly amenities such as a cot are available upon request
* Piazza de' Ricci gets quite busy, so you're likely to hear some street noise
* At capacity, two guests will be sleeping on a sofa bed in the living room
* There isn't an abundance of natural light, as is common in old Roman apartment buildings
* Though a car isn't necessary, there is nearby parking available for €24 per day
*The traditional decor here might not be to everyone's taste. It feels a little dated in parts