Hello, jk. A trip to Italy with you daughter will be priceless!

Here is a thought, if after you arrive in Rome you could take the train to Venice and start your time there and of course go to Florence next and spend your time in Rome at the end of your trip. Or you could take the train to Florence and after visiting there take the train to Venice and of course take the train back to Rome for the end of your trip.

With doing either idea it would save you one more hotel to check into and out of, the last night in Rome. Best regards.

Very good suggestion - since we haven't booked a single hotel yet that makes perfect sense and we can rest on the train going to Venice. Thank you I like that a lot.

You are most welcome, jk! I will be thinking of you two. Although my daughter is much older than your daughter I wish we could take one more trip to Italy together again. But since she ended up marrying a Roman when she goes to Italy it isn't me that she goes with needless to say. P.S. If you two enjoy wine do order the Prosecco wine which is from the Region of Veneto. Refreshing, cool and so good. CinCin!

I am curious about arriving and departing from different cities increasing the fare (enough to consider backtracking to the starting point.) Did you compare two one-way trips vs. one round-trip as oppose to one multi-city trip vs. one round-trip?

In addition to what Grag said, you will have the added cost of an extra trapan trip back to Rome to go home. We have never found the multi-city option to be more than in and out of one city.

good luck on your trip! I'm sorry not to have advice to offer, as this is my first adult trip to Italy (I recall it lovingly from a college glee club group tour of only a few days!) but I am also going there with my daughter, 18, for a post graduation, pre-college gift vacation from my mother in law! We'll be starting in Rome, then touring Tuscan hill towns before and after spending 5 days in Florence, and we're also flying back home again out of Rome. Love to talk more if you like, tho' not sure how to do it on this forum. please feel free to try to contact me on this, or my post about buying train tickets in advance, and maybe I can find a way to get you my email!

Unfortunately our tickets are booked and are not refundable. I am going to be taking LoveItalys advice and go on to either Florence or Venice upon arrival. In the future I will pursue the other options more diligently but for now I would really appreciate some suggestions on places to stay and possibly where to eat in Rome, Florence and Venice. Thanks

Almost every day on this forum someone asks for ideas of places to stay in Rome, Florence, and Venice. Have you done a search for "Florence hotels", as well as for Rome and Venice? The same is true of restaurants.

Also, it would be helpful if you could state your budget for the hotel, so that i
those making suggestions to you would make appropriate ones. "We need a room for two with bath for no more than 200€ per night but might pay a bit more for a hotel with a view." or "We can't pay more than 120€ per night for the two of us."

The most efficient trip is Venice, Florence, Rome.

A 1/2 day trip to Padua from Venice via local train is worth considering.
A day trip to Siena or Pisa (include Lucca in route) is worth the drive as well. Restaurants to consider:

Rome

Bartolomeo
Via Salaria, 215

Da Checco *****
Via Benedetta 10-13

Da Marco e Gloria
Via della Scrofa, 31

Cucina Romana
Da ot ello in trastevere
Via della Pelliccia 47
Pizza S. Egidio 53

Forno *****
Campo De’ Fiore, 22
Bakery & Pizza

Gino ai Funari ***
Via dei Funari 21,
(Piazza Mattei)
06.6874974

L’Antica Birreria Peroni
Via S Marcello, 19

Mille Panini
Via Eudossiana 20

Bakery / Panella *****
Btw SMM / SJL
L’Arte dei Pane
Via Merulana 54-55

Pierluigi Ristorante ***
Piazza de Ricci 144
06/68.61.302

Pontesisto *****
Via di Ponte Sisto, 80
065883411

Ristorante Il Drappo
Vicolo del Malpasso 9
00186
06.6877365

Il Ristorante delle Due Colonne
Via del Seminario 122

Tre Pupazzi *****
GREAT PIZZA
Borgo Fio 183
Via dei Tre Pupazzi 1

Trattoria da Luigi *****
MY FAVORITE
Piazza Sforza Cesarini,24
06 6865946

Venice

Aciughetta
Camp S. Filippo E Giacomo
Tel. 5224292

Alla Madonna
S. Polo 594
Tel. 041-5223824

Alle Testiere
Luca Di Vita
Castello, 5801
Calle del Mondo Novo
Tel. 041 – 52 27 220

Anticlea Antiquariato
Castello 4719 / A
S. Provolo
Tel. 041/5286946

Antica Sacrestia
Calle della Sacrestia 442,
Castello
Tel. 0415230749

Trattoria da fiore
Cucina tipica veneziana
Santo Stefano 3461
Tel. 041/5235310

Friggitoria Cleopatra
Castello 3983
Tel: 041 5227696
(NYTimes)

Osteria alle Testiere
Castello 5801
(Calle del Mondo Vovo /
Salizzada San Lio


Pane Vino San Daniele
Campo dell Angelo Raffaele
Dorsaduro

Snack Bar Borsa
(near Europa)
Via XXII Marzo
Tel. 041-5225017

Trattoria Antica Mola
Di Ma Franzin
Cannaregio, 2800

Trattoria da Remigio *****
Maitre D – Joseph
Waiter - Stephen
MY FAVORITE
Castello 3416
Tel. 041.5230089

Vino E. Vini *****
Enoteca in Venezia
Al N 3301 DiCastello
Fondamenta Dei Furlani
Tel. 521018

Florence

Trattoria Marione
Via della Spada 27R

Trattoria al Trebbio
Via delle Belle Donne47/49 R


Ristorante Pizzeria Dante Trattoria *****
Piazza Nazario Sauro 12 R

Acqua Al 2
Via Della Vigna Vecchia, 40
(Angolo via Dell’Acqua)

Coffee Shop
Maioli
Via Guicciardini, 43

Osteria Santo Spirito
Piazza S Spirito, 16

Ristorante Pizzeria Lorenzo De’ Medici
Via del Giglio, 49/51r
Via del Melarancio 10r

Trattoria Garga
Via del Moro, 48

Trattoria Sostanza – Troia
Via del Porcellana, 25r

Thank you so much Cufflnx. That was vbery helpful and yes I am very much considering doing Venice, Florence and then ending in Rome. I would like to stay in the 120-150E range for hotels, B&B etc. We would prefer two beds and ensuite bath if possible and walking distance to most attractions.
I have been going over many of the previous postings and am still at a loss as to where to consider staying in that price range for the 3 cities. I will continue to read but would appreciate any direction as to what parts of each city would be best to concentrate on.

Has anyone heard of or stayed at the Santo Stefano B&B SanMarco 3450 Calle Crosera Venice?

how is the Castello section of Venice along via garibaldi. Thinking of renting a small apt here for three nights. Any comments

Via Garibaldi is a bit "out of the way" - about 15 or 20 minutes walk to San Marco. But it is an easy walk, and very scenic.

That being said, it is an area less frequented by tourists, with shops that are more aimed at residents.

Thank you - I have found a small apartment for about 90E in that area and am debating between that and a B&B on Calle Crosera for 99E per night. Was not sure of the area and which to go with.

I'd run with the B&B in Calle Crosera - near Campo San Stefano

Once you are there, you will realize that Venice is pretty small...yes, you will get lost occasionally, but that's part of the charm. Being at a small hotel or B&B is nice, because there is someone you can rely on for assistance and suggestions on local eateries.

Thank you - I am finding this a most difficult trip to plan.

Here’s a plan:

Arrive in Rome 28th August

Take train to Venice 28th August – it is about 4 ½ hours.

Stay for four nights, 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st August

Take the train to Florence on 1st September

Stay four nights in Florence– 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th September.

This gives time for a day trip to Pisa, and another day trip to Siena.

Hotel Casci (pronounced "Kashee”) is recommended in Florence.

Take train to Rome on 5th September

Stay in Rome on 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th September.

Fly out on 9th September.

jk, If you click on my user name, you'll find a couple of trip reports that I've written about Venice. Not exactly full of useful information, but you might get some hints from them.

Enjoy your journey!

If you are looking for a room with 2 beds, look for a twin (as opposed to a double, which is one double bed vs 2 twin beds).

I 2nd Peter's rec of Hotel Casci in Florence. It's a wonderful place to stay on a moderate budget.

We stayed at Hotel Casci on our first visit to Italy (for our 25th wedding anniversary). It was an excellent experience and they even did our laundry for us (don't remember what it cost, but consider that a coin laundromat is going to cost you about 15euro so to have it clean and folded and on your bed when you get back from a day's sight seeing, I'd pay 20)

In Venice, we stayed at Hotel Leon Bianco, and in Rome at Hotel due Torri Roma (near Piazza Navona). This fall, I discovered the due Torri is now out of our price range (well, we'll be in Italy for nearly a month, so we have been pretty picky budget-wise). Hotel Julia looks like a good budget choice, and it is really well located for a first-timer. (We will be staying elsewhere this Fall, but at a place a bit off the beaten track.)

First thanks to Peter_S We have taken your adavice and planned our itinerary as you suggested. I have booked the Santo Stefano B&B (not to be confused with the Hotel- too pricey) for our stay in Vienna and we are now looking at the other suggestions by uhoh_busted for the Hotel Cascia - Florence and Hotel Julia in Rome. Just received replys from both and I think they will come out within budget. Thank you to MFNYC for the tip on double vs twin. Did not have that figured out.
We would also like to do a possible winery tour from Florence - Any suggestions? I have emailed the companies from Travelslow and await their response. I am also looking at Walkaboutpass.com mentioned on one of the other forums. Has anyone else taken this tour? It seems to incorporate a number of things we would be interested in? Oh Peter thanks for sharing your stories - I did enjoy. any other helpful hints? I would greatly appreciate.

hope you've not quite decided on your florence hotel yet!

I stayed here for 2 nights very recently [just got back in fact] and it was very nice, and reasonable: http://www.residenzacasanuova.it/

it's a B&B in a beautifully furnished and appointed apartment, on the eastern side of the city, but in easy walking distance of the centre - 10 minutes brings you to the Duomo. As well as your room you have the run of the apartment with plenty of seating in which to read the many books, and a lovely terrace from which to enjoy the view over the roofs of florence. It's close to the san ambrosia market, and if you're lucky, one of the owners, Beatrice, will be doing a tour of the market while you are there. [tastings and lunch for €30 each - a real bargain!].

it's not a particularly smart part of town but very interesting with loads of typical restaurants in the area and some very good shopping.

sorry to sound like an advert but if you want something other than a standard hotel, this may well be for you.

Thank you so much annhig - We have not confirmed Florence or Rome yet and are still looking. I will check it out.

I anyone has any other suggestions I would be most happy.

JK, the guidebook "Secret Venice", published by Jonglez, is worth a look. It lists lots of small things, like the significance of the single white stone set into the path leading to the door of the Church of San Pietro in Castello, or the significance of the lozenge shaped piece of porphry marble in the doorway of the Basilica. It also lists a few gardens that are worth visiting (and they are mostly hidden from view), the strange runes inscribed on the lions guading the Arsenal and the location of the indoor bowling alley (and attached bar). Also the female prison produce stall on Guidecca on Thursday mornings, the iconography of Canova's tomb in the Frari.

Check out the Olivetti showroom in the Piazza, reopened after restoration of the architect Scarpa's original design from the 1960's. I've not seen it yet, but it looks pretty special from the photos. I sort of got hooked on Scarpa last visit, and went all over Venice in search of his work. The interior of the apartment that we stayed in was designed by a student of Scarpa, so there was a nice linkage there.

Tiny details in the cosmos, I suppose, but they all go to making Venice a more intimate place.

Personally, I don't think you need 4 nights in Venice, I would suggest spending more time in Rome.

We stayed in the Santa Croce area in Venice because it was close to the train station. There were some lovely restaurants down along the quiet side canal which we discovered after chosing a place on the main canal which was expensive and medicore. We should have explored more. Don't always settle for the restaurants on the thoroughfare, if you will. There are gems hidden all over Venice. Look at the menus and prices before making a decision. The restaurants are supposed to post their menu and do not mind if you look at it. Many will have the waiter try to get your attention to eat there, don't feel bad if you decide to walk away. It's part of the experience.

As for where to stay in Rome, I like to stay over by the Vatican, however your daughter might prefer something more lively.

Thank you everyone for all your suggestions. We have tentatively booked Venice for 3 nights (given we don't arrive until Monday morning) Florence for 4 and Rome for 4 nights. Starying - tentatively - at the Santo Stefano B&B in Venice, Hotel Casci in Florence and Hotel Julia in Rome.Chosen mainly based on suggestions and cost with location thrown in for good measure.
Now - does anyone know of a good and reasonable website to visit to arrange a daytrip from Florence to the wineries or surrounding area. I have gotten estimates of 720E - 340E which will break our bank. We will not have our own transportation so I guess that's a factor. But really 720E for 8 hours. I did read about a bus tour that leaves from the train station (I think) in Florence and also goes to Pisa and thru Siena. Has any used it? This would be much more reasonable at about 72E each. any thoughts?
Also - taking the train from Rome to Venice when we arrive -our plane arrives at about 10:00 am- Since I have no idea how long customs will take or the trip from the airport to the train station should I prebook (if we can do that from the states) our seats on the 12:45 to Venice or the 1:45 to be safe (although I would hope we can make the earlier one) or just wait until we arrive at the train station? Traveling from Venice to Florence and then on to Rome I'm not too concerned about as we will actually be there and can play it by ear (or so I hope)
In additon which museums are a must to reserve from here in the states - especially in Venice. Our hotel in Florence said they will book the Uffizi and Academie if we tell them when. Should I avail myself of this.
We have seen Vineyards in Chile and South Africa so touring Tuscany is not so much for the Vineyards but the experience.
Any and all suggestions welcome. Also please remember that our reservations can be changed if someone has a suggestion that can't be beat. (Long winded - I know - I apologize ahead of time)
Thanks

My DD and I traveled together in Italy and it was wonderful. We liked these very affordable and charming hotels with nice twin rooms and ensuite baths:

In Rome, the Domus Julia (apartment wing of the Hotel Julia), very nice breakfast room in the Hotel, nice front lobby, good location and relatively quiet street.

In Venice, the Hotel Riva, a cute one-star hotel that has corner rooms which overlook the confluence of two tiny canals where singing gondoliers glide by; simple breakfast provided in nice breakfast room overlooking one canal. We had triple room #1. No lift, though.

In Florence, the Relais Cavalcanti, right near the Uffizi in a great locarion; very tasteful and homey little 'hotel' which is one floor of a building the family has owned for centuries. A young woman started this hotel, designed it, and now runs it with her sister, I think. Has a very lovely kitchen and dining room, open to guests 24/7. No breakfast provided, but it does have complimentary packaged pastries, and hot drinks always available. The room is open for your own use, too. Each guestroom has a small fridge, too.

Be aware that many hotels will give you a nice discount for paying in cash (EU), if you book directly with the hotel. (If you do this, like we did, be sure you plan ahead to have enough euros on hand at checkout day. I forgot. But I had brought three ATM cards, so I could pull out the max amount on each card.)

PS. It is pretty simple to take a daytrip from Florence via bus or train.

I'm trying to work on a trip report, but there are a number of guides who do day trips from Florence that do not charge as much as you've written. Try Luca Garappa from Hills and Roads. We adored him.

Or just take the Sita bus to Siena.