Please give comments on these hotels. 1)Plaza Lucchesi (Florence) 2)Royal Sporting (Portovenere) and 3)Crowne Plaza Minerva (Rome). Also, would it be worth a day trip from Florence to Venice, or is it better to stay overnight? If so, recommendations on a 4 or 5 star hotel in Venice. I'll be going in Sept. and would appreciate any input. <BR> <BR>Thanks, <BR> <BR>Sherryl <BR>(Miami)

Everything about the Minerva is very much first-class, and it is very, very expensive. The location is excellent. <BR> <BR>You can readily find more info about it here on this forum by simply searching the word Minerva. <BR> <BR>To day trip into Venice is to miss a great deal of the charm of Venice - - its "serenissima" characterm especially the first hour of the morning, and the last hour before you go to bed at night. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

Sherryl, It is 3 hour train ride to Venice from Florence so the time is too great. Venice is a wonderful place and needs a couple of days.

Rex is right, the Minerva is the best - look for deals thru AAA. Venice in a day might be a push, but can be done if you get the first train there & the last train out. <BR> <BR>Good Luck!

Sherryl, <BR> <BR>Stayed at the Royal Sporting on my last trip - it's fabulous ... Don't know about Florence ... Crowne Plaza can't be beat, BOOK EARLY!!! <BR> <BR>Enjoy!

Stayed at the Plaza Lucchesi on recommendation of our Italian cousins. Excellent hotel which we very much enjoyed. The only drawback was that it was a bit of a walk to the center, but it's on the Arno near Santa Croce--you decide. Our favorite in Florence is the Lungarno.