URBANTALK1

I thought I had my whole itinerary planned - but I just had a wake-up call!

I was all set to finalize
NY(Sept1)-Venice for 7-day
Venice-Siena Region(3-wks stay working at vineyard)
Sienna - Rome (7-days)
Rome to Almalfi Coast - 7 days...with maybe a stay over in Naples flying out from there.
Naples-NYC

I really thought making day an overnight trips from the vineyard near Montepulciano to Florence and even Venice was do-able (along with Siena and some other towns)

But now that Fodor travelers were kind enough to explain how to navigate the train schedules, I discovered that the trip from Singlunga to Florence is 3-hours - so it seems, as long as passing thru and changing trains in Florence anyway on my way to Sinalunga - I should just cut my stay in Venice to 4 days, head north to Florence ad spend 3-4 days, and then on to Sinalunga - rather than backtrack.

That being said - Can anyone out there tell me if that sounds like a good plan?
If it is - I really use some advise about a what would be a GOOD CENTRALLY LOCATED ARE to book a B+B in Florence that's near the sites.

I'm clueless - and the map of Florence is making my head spin.

It took me a week to figure out that Venice is made up of islands, and final decide take a leap of faith and get ready to book a B+B in the Palazzo Moronini calle del Fontego - and hope that it is truly a 10- min walk to San Marco square.

My fear is, with only a few days in Venice and Florence I'll book a room in a neighborhood that not conveniently located and spend the little time I have on buses and trains.

ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD GREATLY BE APPRECIATED!

bobthenavigator

Florence is not very big---hard to go wrong. This may help:

BOB’S FAVORITE HOTELS IN FLORENCE---2011


SMALL B&Bs Prices from 120 to 190E for a double room

• http://www.touristhouseghiberti.com/ Nice B&B near Duomo

• www.ilvillino.it Nice people and good value

• www.florencegrandtour.com Newer B&B with good reviews

• www.ladimoradegliangeli.com Lovely new B&B—great location


MID –RANGE HOTELS: Prices from 150 to 300E by season

* www.hoteldavanzati.it Great location and amenities

* www.ortodeimedici.it Perfect location and nice hotel

* www.hotelcasci.com Good family hotel in good location

* www.hotelsilla.it Across the river with less noise & people

* www.ilguelfobianco.it Hard to beat for location and service


BETTER 4 STAR HOTELS: Prices from 200 to 350E by season

• www.hotel-pierre-florence.com Very central and nice hotel

• www.hoteldelaville.it A Florence standard for nicer hotels

• www.monnalisa.it An elegant historical palace—Santa Croce

• www.residenzadelmoro.com/ Lovely hotel in centro Florence

Jean

I can second Bob's recommendation of the Tourist House Ghiberti. But at 5 rooms total, it's tiny, so contact them ASAP.

nytraveler

Um, I really think you need to consult a map of Italy. Florence is NOT north of Venice - it's SOUTH. Have you really looked at your itinerary on a map and checking realstic transit times?

ellenem

Venice is not that big. You can walk from the train station to Piazza San Marco in 30 minutes. Palazzo Morosini on Calle de Fontego is indeed a 10 minute walk from Piazza San Marco--if you have a good sense of direction and don't get lost.

TravelsWithGeorge

We stayed at a place called Residenza Pucci in Via dei Pucci, one block from the cathedral. B&B, they were nice and the room was nice.

I would agree with someone else, and I say this as someone who tends to underestimate distances and gets fooled by maps, get some good maps and study them.

Beth16

I wholeheartedly agree Hotel Davanzati is just fabulous and a wonderful location. Cannot rave enough about it. The main area of Florence is very small so it's pretty hard to get lost and even when you do you figure out where you are quickly.
Also, as was stated Florence is not north of Venice. I would suggest rechecking your whole itinerary.

annhig

I stayed here for 3 nights last year:

http://www.residenzacasanuova.it/

it was reasonably priced, beautifully furnished and very comfortable, nice large rooms, and very friendly. 5 minutes to Santa Croce area, 10 mins to the Duomo. [it's on the east of the centre of the city].

Holly_uncasdewar

For Venice in September, I don't think you'd want to be any closer to San Marco than a 10 minute walk. So you're probably well located there.

For Florence, this is my favorite for a moderately priced very centrally located small hotel:

http://www.hotelbotticelli.it/englis...nce_rooms.html

URBANTALK1

Mis-typed 'North' instead of 'South' -Ttrip is from North to south - Venice, Florence, Tuscany, Rome, Naples, Amalfi.
Just found out the big regatta is September 2nd in Venice, so I'm going to be there for it!

I know I'm OCD-ing about locations - but the more I look at maps the more confused I get - and the addresses listed for the B&B's don't come up on mapquest to check the difference.

Good to know Venice and Florence are small enough so that they are walkable from any neighborhood. Going to check out those hotels you suggest.

Thanks for your help!

Jean

Search the addresses at maps.google.com.

HappyTrvlr

We liked staying in the Santa Croce district in Florence. It's away from the tourist crowds but a short walk to the attractions.