We're about to go to Venice, Florence and the Tuscany region for 12 days and would rather spend money on great food/wine than on hotels. Anyone stayed in hotels under 100.00 USD in Venice? Anyone heard of Locanda/Hotel Montin?i Where have you had the best meals in this region?

Stephanie, Even my single in venice was $120 US and was not one of the better rooms on my trip. I assume that you are going now instead of high season and that should help some. I know that Accademia is very quaint and not too expensive but getting a double less than $100 will be difficult. I assume you have checked out the inexpensive section of all the standard guide books.

Stephanie, I felt the same way as you and stayed in a hotel that, if it wasn't 100, it was right around there. I found it in Let's Go Italy (I feel like a little bit of a shill here because I mentioned it to someone else -- I have no connection to this publication and in fact think that it is weak in a lot of areas), which is a good place to find lodging on a more student-kind of budget (although these are hotels, not hostels). I think that might help you.

Took a boat to Burano, a small fishing island in Venice. They had a great restaurant with tons of freshly prepared seafood. I don't think it was expensive. Anyway Burano is so tiny there may only be one restaurant. If there are other restaurants, this one is across from all the touristy lace shops. <BR>I stayed on the mainland with a tour group, don't know the price of our hotel. But I think if you stay on the mainland it will be a lot less expensive. <BR> <BR>Buy the water pass as suggested in other posts.

Stephanie, Frommer says "the Locanda Montin(i) is an old-fashioned Venetian inn whose adjoining restaurant is one of the most loved in the area. It's officially listed as a 4th class hotel, but the rooms are considerably larger and better than that rating would suggest. Reservations are virtually mandatory because of its reputation. The inn is a bit difficult to locate--it's marked only by a small carriage lamp etched with the name--but it's worth the search." The restaurant is a Fodor's choice (on this site). Paolo may disagree, but it seems that this would combine your two wants.