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Need Recommendations - Venice, Florence and Bellagio

Need Recommendations - Venice, Florence and Bellagio

Old May 24th, 2000, 12:54 PM
  #1  
Shannon
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Need Recommendations - Venice, Florence and Bellagio

Hi All-
I'm a new Fodor's board reader and I have been so impressed by the quality of responses I have seen, so I thought I would give it a shot. My husband and I are planning a trip to Italy in late September/early October of this year. So far, all we have are plane tickets. We will be arriving in Venice on 9/25, and leaving from Milan on 10/9. Plan are to visit Venice, then Florence, then Bellagio/Lake Como followed by one night in Milan before the return trip.

That's the only plans so far and I am starting to worry about making ths come together! I've been reading travel books, but since neither or us have been to Italy before, it is hard to put everything in to perspective. If anyone has recommendations for hotels, etc., we would appreciate it. The books make everything sound soooo expensive. We are hoping to find hotels close to the centers of town (we will not have a car), and within a reasonable price range ($150-200/night).

Thanks in advance for any recommendations. Or should I say "gratzi mille"

Thanks,
Shannon
 
Old May 24th, 2000, 01:04 PM
  #2  
elaine
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Hi Shannon
I have notes on travel to Florence and Venice, if you would like them please email me.
In addition to my own thoughts, they include several hotel and restaurant recommendations from this forum.
I went in late Sept/early October myself, it was a beautiful time of year, and crowds not too bad.
Enjoy it.
 
Old May 24th, 2000, 01:05 PM
  #3  
Heather
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My first trip to Europe was Milan-Florence-Venice-Bellagio-Milan for 10 days and went back to Venice for 5 days last Easter, so I think I can help. If you want to email me with what level of hotels that you and your husband are looking for, I can suggest at least the ones we had in Bellagio and Venice. Please let me know before the end of Thursday, as I'm off on my first trip to France.
 
Old May 24th, 2000, 01:14 PM
  #4  
Thyra
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Hi Shannon, There are lots of wonderful suggestions on previous message boards, but I would like to recommend the two hotels we stayed in that were inexpensive well located friendly staffed and recommended in Fodor travel guides.
In Florence Hotel Casci (mentioned on this board in other threads) Perfect location, charming staff and larger rooms that usual also nice on the budget.

In Venis Hotel Ai Do Mori which had really tiny rooms, no elevator but was ten steps away from Piazza San Marco and really resonably priced. We had a great view outside of our window of the rooftops of Venice,and though they didn't have a restaurant or breakfast room, they had a deal with a cafe next door which served delicious breakfasts and was staffed by some terrific local characters. If you can't spend a fortune and don't mind a tiny room I suggest this hotel.
Also, if you do go to Venice, have a drink at Harry's Bar. Good Luck, if you have any other questions email me directly and I will be glad to respond with more specific information.

 
Old May 24th, 2000, 07:22 PM
  #5  
Paulo
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In your price range, I would strongly recommend the following hotels:

Florence: ****Hotel Ritz (Lit 300,000 double)
http://www.venere.it/firenze/ritz/index.html

Venice: ***Hotel Flora (Lit 360,000 double)
http://www.hotelflora.it/

Paulo

 
Old May 25th, 2000, 03:05 AM
  #6  
francesca
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There is a lot of info on all of these places on this forum if you do a search. Also, I just posted by trip report to Bellagio last week, so it should be pretty easy to find. We loved the Como area and the Hotel Belevedere (lots of info on this forum about the hotel, too). Please feel free to email me for more specific info. Bon voyage.
 
Old May 25th, 2000, 06:46 AM
  #7  
lisa peretz
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Shannon, I just came back from 8 nights in Florence, Tuscany and Rome and I also felt overwhelmed by the planning, but if you do a little research and find out what there is to do/see in each city and how long it would take to cover, then at least you can break your trip down into segments. Once you're dealling with "3 days here" and "4 days there", the trip will start to have a structure and it's a lot less intimidating. I actually got a small sectioned notebook to keep my info on each place organized.

I can tell you that I spent 2 nights in Florence at Hotel Brunelleschi (055) 290-311 and it was in a great location overlooking Via Calzaiuoli with a quaint courtyard entrance 1/2 way betwee the Duomo and the Uffizi. $224.00 per night for a double room with private bath, tax and breakfast. (which was fabulous by Italian standards:eggs, Cereal etc.
Good luck.
 
Old May 25th, 2000, 09:09 AM
  #8  
Don
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Just got back from Bellagio, Venice, Florence and Rome. It was superb!
In Bellagio-spend the money to stay in the cheapest room they have at the best place there-Grand Hotel Serbelloni. Look at their web site!!!
Venice and florence-check Luna Baglioni.
 
Old May 25th, 2000, 05:23 PM
  #9  
Bob
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We did the same trip last year at the same time of the year. The Al Gambero in Venice was great. Recently remodeled and very nice. Not too expensive, about $115 per night. I concur on the post about the Belvedere in Bellagio. We stayed there also. I always tell people to ask for a room one level up from lobby and with the big balcony. This is the only level that has these and the view sitting on the balcony, drinking wine and watching the lake is great.
 
Old May 26th, 2000, 06:17 AM
  #10  
Debra
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Just returned from Venice and stayed at the Hotel Flora. I cannot say enough about how great this hotel is--the service, location (right off Piazza San Marco) and setting make it wonderful. And, it fits in your price range. We stayed in a "small" double, which was small but charming, and paid $180/night. Our budget was more than that, but we wanted to stay at the hotel due to the posts on this site. Just to give you a taste of their service: We had to leave our last day at 5:30 a.m. to catch the vaparetto to the train station. The front desk very efficiently checked us out and then gave us a little bag full of rolls and fruit for our train ride. I thought that was so nice--quite indicative of their service during our stay. Also, we arrived at the hotel at 6:30 a.m. They let us eat breakfast and moved us right into our room around 7:30 a.m. It was so nice to get in our room for a brief time before hitting Venice for the day.

Again, I can't say enough about how wonderful this hotel is--you must try to get a room immediately! FYI--I booked and confirmed our room over the internet. Their site is www.hotelflora.it. Good luck and have fun! Email me if you want more information.
 
Old May 27th, 2000, 09:49 AM
  #11  
Paule
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I would highly recommend Pensione La Calcina in Venice. It's on the Guidecca Canal, in the Dorsoduro section-- a small, charming hotel that has its own floating dock on the water. The staff is helpful and welcoming, the breakfast is excellent. I think the Dorsoduro section is the best area to stay in; it's away from the great tourist crowds, but close enough to walk to the center. I would NOT stay near San Marco; it's far too crowded with tourists. I enjoyed staying in an area that was more relaxing.

In Florence, I would recommend Morandi a la Crocetta. A very small hotel, but extremely well kept up; the rooms are very comfortable, bathrooms very modern. It is small (12 rooms) and has no view, but is good value in a convenient location.

I don't have the phone numbers nearby, but if you are interested, I would look them up. At any rate, both are listed in travel guides and I know Morandi A la Crocetta is in at least one of the Italy hotel websites.
 

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