PalenQ

maybe consider trying to find something in that low low price range for Venice at this time in Mestre, across the lagoon?

Or Padua but not in Venice like janisj says.

nytraveler

You think it's an unwaranted assumption that hotels have fewer vacancies in high season than they do in low season?

You are talking averages - obviously conditions differ throughout the year. I have been in Venice when people who hadn't reserved at least 2 months in advance had to stay in VERONA - not Mestre.

suze

Your new plan is better, but I still think it's too much. And two days in Venice is just too short, in my opinion. I would cut Rome, or take at least a day off London, to extend your time in Venice.

suze

Venice 4 days
Paris 5 days
London 5 days
_____
14 days

KTtravel

Check with your cruise line. They may have negotiated some discounted rates with hotels in Venice.

tuscanlifeedit

What are the stops on your Med cruise?

janisj

As usual professor dul, your lecture is not at all helpful.

PalenQ

The specific info is: "Venice, Italy, reported the only double-digit occupancy increase, rising 13.8 percent to 68.1 percent."

The fact is that no one can say any hotel will 'book up far in advance'. It's an assumption which the evidence does not support.>

What a bunch of bull crapola once again - 68% for the whole year don't surprise me - yeh they are half empty or less in the off-season - are they only 68% full in high season when most folks go?

Of course not - a spurious figure by some bloviator for whatever reason - what is the occupancy rate of Venetian hotels in July and August - now that is the figure you should report to support your idiotic argument. Closer to 100% I'd wager.

I can definitely say that the hotel I always stay in in Amsterdam will be full way before peak season and if I just show up I'd have to pay more for less - this is thru actual experience = what a bunch of poppy cock! But I guess that is your goal.

keli22o

I agree with the above posters. I love to cram in as much as I can while I'm in Europe but I would definitely not do more than 3 cities in 10 days. Venice is beautiful but I would not stay more than 2 nights there. I'd allow most of the time for Paris and London given that you are flying out of there (if possible I'd have chosen Paris, Florence, Rome/or Venice or London, Paris, Geneva). I was just in London for the second time this past July and it was my dh's first time. We spent 4 full days and it was not enough to see everything but we saw a great deal. I would devote a minimum of 3 nights to London and at least 4-5 nights in Paris. Any less time in either city and you won't be able to see much. Hope you have a fabulous time!

sarge56

suchda, you might consider renting an apartment in Venice and/or Rome. This is generally more cost-effective; it allows you to have some meals "at home" and that is always going to be cheaper than eating out.

Additionally, you have more room to spread out and will not be as cramped as in a hotel room, for the budget you are using.

That being said, I've rented very happily from rentalinrome.com and sleepinitaly.com.

You also may be able to find monasteries/convents affordable, if luxury is not important. Here is an example for a quad room in Venice at just about $200/night. http://www.monasterystays.com/?a=des...Venice//VEV153

I have rented the same apartment in Venice 4 times and it would be a great fit for your family. A queen bed in the master bedroom, one regular bathroom plus a half bath with just a toilet/sink (but that comes in handy with a family of 4)!; the 2nd bedroom is an enclosed living area with a pull out couch. And there is a single roll away in the kitchen. It will probably be just about $200/night. It is also on the ground floor- so no climbing stairs with luggaage.

Ca'Bianca is the name of the unit. Here is the link: http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/reviews/p266505

PalenQ

What is your evidence to suggest that Venice is different?>

Well what is the occupany rate of Venetian hotels in say August - as Carl Sagan said "extraordinary claims demand extraordinary proof"

You make claims and then ask us to prove that they are not accurate yet present not one scintilla of real evidence to back your similar claims.

You said it you prove it - not you say it and it is up to us to prove it.

Now your turn to bloviate as is your desire it appears making a mountain out of a mole hill.

santamonica

Hotel Santa Maria in Rome is very nice.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...ome_Lazio.html

PalenQ

How about Airbnb and Vrbo et al and all their rentals? Are they all full too?>

You ask questions that you should to support your lame theory answer and prove yourself!

Booking early in a Venice in season can save tons of money - that's my experience anyway - just show up and you'll spend hours looking for the odd vacancy in your price range.

sometimes when one gets trapped into defending a daft argument they dig holes deeper and deeper - well done!

annhig

wouldn't it just be easier for you to give a link for the OP for somewhere reasonably priced in venice, rather than continually quoting statistics? after all, s/he's given us the dates, and the ages of the children so it ought to be pretty simple to search for what is required.

I put the details into booking.com and came up with this [3 nights in a quad room within 3 miles of venice]: [sorry the link is so long!]

http://www.booking.com/searchresults..._list_length=5

Mestre is cheaper. airbnb or an apartment may be cheaper.

but nothing is cheap, so far as I can see.

annhig

[but it works!]

tailsock

i love the chicago, new york, LA, analogy because it's so true. nobody would do that in the US.. it's just so darn hard to scratch a country off a list

Swissie

Note that no one is home in Paris in August!

PalenQ

And Paris is so nice when Parisians are not home but off to Provence or the seaside - relatively few cars on the streets - a whole nicer city in many ways - the Paris Plague - covering a busy highway along the Seine with sand to make a beach, etc.

Paris in August is a great time to go, in spite of oft swarms of tourists at museums, Notre-Dame, Tour Eiffel, etc

PalenQ

Duration: 9 hr 26 mins>

bahn.de/en says it takes just over 7 hours.