That seems like a good idea. Then we could stop at Orvieto on the way down. I always like driving. I'll check out the hotel, too.

ceezee: SO funny that you mention "Don't Look Now" here. I've brought it up here on Fodor's more than once, and no one ever responds. It's my scariest movie ever.

We have stayed in some out of the way places in Venice, with long walks home at night. I told my husband I was afraid, and he blithely said that he wasn't. I told him that was because he'd never seen Don't Look Now.

Your plans all sound great.

What exactly is your hotel budget for Florence and Rome?

Just watched it on Netflix. My husband had never seen it but I saw it when it was released in 1973. Very racy for the time. Totally made me want to see venice. Even more than the various Bond movies.

I'm trying to stay around $200 a night. It's not been easy.

Sounds like you have a good plan.

For a stunning arrival in Venice, take the Alilaguna water bus from the Airport to the stop closest to your hotel. It is a jaw-dropping view when you see San Marco piazza from the water! Or if you don't care about the cost, take a private water taxi.

Thanks joannyc, We'll definitely take the water bus.

Having read only your first post, then scrolling up from the last post, so happy you picked Venice-- it is well served by train as is Florence; we thought two days in Florence was plenty. In Rome try Hotel Genio, right off Piazza Navonna and easy walk (for us at least) to Vatican, Borghese, Forum (no, not on one day!). In Venice in the Academia Bridge area try Hotel Agli Alboretti-- quiet, convenient & clean. Ok, forumites, now I must see "Don't Look Now."

aliced: I saw it at the movies when it came out, and I'm still afraid of dark calles (I'm sure that's not the real plural for streets) in Venice.

I've booked the three hotels:

Venice - Hotel Al Duca Di Venezia

Florence - Dan Gallo Palace

Rome - Palazzo Olivia Room

All three are over my $200/night budget but depending on the exchange rate then, hopefully ntot too much over. Florence is the most expensive. All can be cancelled if I find something better.

Btw, "Don't Look Now" is currently on Netflix.

I agree on Venice. Three nights is plenty in Venice. It's nice to just take the water taxi up the grand canal for lovely water view of Venice. The island of Burano is a lovely half day trip. You take a boat ride right near where all the gondolas are on the main walking area. This island is well known for their Venetian lace, colorful buildings and a lovely little island . Look for Ai Cresendeli for lunch in Burano. I'm a native NYorker but this place knows pizza. Absolutely DELISH. You go straight from the boat to the end of the walkway , bear left it's on your right hand side .lunch for two E 30

and I'm still afraid of dark calles (I'm sure that's not the real plural for streets) in Venice.>>

la calle, le calli, i think tfl, though as it's a venetian as opposed to an italian word, that may not be the definitive answer. i agree that they can be spooky but Venice is pretty safe by comparison to, say, Naples, where the completely unlit streets off the Spaccanapoli really gave us the heeby-geebies.

I wouldn't agree that 3 nights is plenty in Venice, but it's certainly better than NO nights in Venice, so enjoy!

annhig, and I'll be lucky enough to have 4 nights in Venice. What a great way to recover from jet lag!

ceezee - you're right. you can see most of the main sights in 3 days, plus a bit of the islands and some general wandering around, which can be the best bit of being in Venice. I looked at the location of your hotel, and if you nip over the grand canal from the nearby vaporetto stop or by the Ponte degli Scalzi, you can easily explore Cannareggio and then round to the Campo Santi Giovanne e Paolo [St. Gi e Pi] and come back via the Rialto. this is also a good way to get to the Fondamenta Nuove to catch the boat to Murano, Burano and Torcello.

Have a great trip!