Dumptruck

Hello All!

My wife and I are going to travel western Europe for 20 days (19 nights) in the month of May and I am looking for suggestions regarding reliable agencies that book short term apartment rentals for Barcelona and Italy.

I typically use TripAdvisor.com to choose and book hotels but I've had great difficulty (and many sleepless nights) finding nice accommodations in convenient locations in Barcelona and Italy at or under $200 a night. I've tried referencing the Rick Steves' books but his sleeping suggestions rate poorly on user-review sites like TripAdvisor and are still as expensive as some of the top rated places.

After much exhaustive deliberating, we have finally booked our swanky, but unfortunately above-budget, hotels in London (where we arrive and depart from) and Paris for 4 nights. I have recently realized that we could be staying in vacation rental apartments for much less money with the extra value of more space. We will spend at-least 4 nights in Barcelona from May 10th through 14th. Perhaps longer. We are still technically undecided on what we will do with 8 nights from the 14th to 22nd but Italy is the general idea (with Florence, Rome and maybe Venice? as a loose plan for 2 or 3 nights each) before returning to London on the 22nd of May, then Home to San Francisco. Is this a good Itinerary for us?

Should we do 5 nights around northern Italy and then 3 in Provence or Nice? the Alps? Else where?

A little background:
I studied a semester in Paris 10 years ago and traveled much of the surrounding countries which was a dream come true. I was young and hosteling on youth rates when the dollar was stronger than the euro. So.... I don't really know the inside scoop on the hip and romantic, yet reasonably priced accommodations. My wife has actually never been to Europe so I want her to have a very special experience.

Please share any recommendations or good experiences you've had in these cities with good hotel values and more importantly apartment rental. I know we are booking relatively late as we were just granted the time away from work to travel and have had to scramble to make this a trip of a lifetime. PLEASE HELP!

Any suggestions or wisdom will be greatly appreciated

Thanks,
Joe

KarenE

200$ is only around 130€, this won´t get you anything nice at the hight of tourist season and last minute. Not in Rome, Barcelona, Florence or Venice. Maybe you extend your budget or stay for a week at the country side, maybe Umbria, it´s a little cheaper than Tuscany. But it would be also hard to find decent places on such a short notice.

ekscrunchy

One thing I will tell you is that I am getting dizzy reading about all the places you are trying to pack in in 3 weeks...London, Paris, Barcelona, Venice, Florence, Rome, Nice etc etc etc....it sounds way too rushed in my opinion. Like one of those old films "If it's Tuesday.."


You are set on Paris and London. And Barcelona. I would skip Italy on this trip and try to see places in the area of those cities....for example, from Barcelona, go to the Costa Brava for a few days.

For a rental in Barcelona, there are many sites you can try; but you are kind of late so may have to take what is available and not be fussy.

Several places came up for your dates on this site:


http://www.habitatapartments.com/en/...ent/findincity

Dumptruck

Sorry about the length of my post. I truly could use some help on apartment rental in Italy. Thanks

ekscrunchy

Anywhere in Italy?

Dumptruck

Thanks for advice ekscrunchy and KarenE. I will raise my budget slightly and your habitatapartments.com is a great suggestion. Already working on a lead for Barcelona now!

scotcanadian

Have just returned from a trip to Barcelona. We stayed in an apartment in the El Born area. Great location, the apartment was very clean, basic furniture, large TV, up to date appliances and quite spacious. Their website is accurate, the apartments are exactly as shown in the photographs, and the staff pleasant and efficient I would certainly recommend them, so try bcngotic.com and good luck!

yestravel

Also stayed in an apt thru bcngotic.com -- great location and comfortable apt

ekscrunchy

NO, it was not the length of your post, it was that I think you are trying to jam in way too much in too little time! It is just too much to be jumping all over the continent in 3 weeks....

I would leave out Italy. Or leave out Barcelona since you are already going to London and Paris.
Or spend the entire time in Italy.

Lots of threads on Rome rentals on this forum, so try to see what comes up with a search...

For Venice, see this thread, for starters:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...comodation.cfm

J62

I like www.slowtrav.com as a starting point for apartment rentals.

akazaagency

Hello!!

for you stay in Bacelona, i would suggest you to have a look at our website : www.akaza.net

let me know what you think about that!!