bwhizz

Thanks everyone for your advice. I guess if we decide not to rent a car from Venice, we will likely stay in a hotel in a town (not sure which one), and if we decide to rent a car from Venice, we will likely stay in an Agriturismi (again, not sure which one).

I actually saw some car rentals for 4 days for $150.00 from www.easycar.com, except we must pick up and drop off in florence.

knickerbocker

Given the amount of time you have, the number of things to be done in all of these cities such that having a car would actually be a needless expense and the flexibility of the Italian rail system, why bother renting and caring for a car? Also, consider looking into an apartment as an alternative to a hotel. I booked our trip through venere.com and found it a worthwhile way of deciding between the various accommodation types all through Italy.

But as was mentioned earlier, don't be taking too much more time to make decisions or you may find preferred locations booked in your timeline

HTH
K

Mimar

You don't have all that much time. Usually it takes quite a bit of time to exit a ship. Then you'll have to get yourselves and your bags to your Venice hotel and check in. This will probably take half the day. That leaves 4 full days, part of which will have to be spent arriving in Rome. Plus if you pick up a car at 5 PM in Venice, you can't drive all that far before having to stop for the night.

So not enough time to go to the Cinque Terre AND rural Tuscany AND Florence.

If it was me, I'd spend more time in Venice, then train to some intermediary place, like Bologna or Siena or Orvieto before moving on to Rome.

Alternatively, you could pick up a car in Venice the morning of the 6th, drive to beautiful southern Tuscany (about 5 hours) and spend the time tootling around Tuscan hilltowns, a nice contrast from the seaside towns on your cruise. In this case, I'd stay at a B&B/hotel in Pienza or San Quirico d'Orcia. From Tuscany you could drive direct to the Rome airport to drop off the car.

stepsbeyond

bwhizz,

I think you are looking at your options correctly. If you do end up staying in a town in July, I recommend that you book a lodging that does not face directly onto the town's main piazza. In July, many people will be enjoying it as a cool conversation space late into the night and unless you think you'd find that completely charming try another location. All these towns are small, and some that sit on the periphery get little noise and have views over the countryside.

I'm unclear as to what time of day you are leaving Venice, and thus when you would be able to pick up a car in Firenze (Florence). If you can do it before sunset, taking the train to Firenze and picking up the car to drive to Chianti is an option. But you don't want to be driving in the dark trying to find a rural lodging.

If you choose areas south of Siena (as Mimar suggests) with a car, you might consider an agriturismo there rather than a town. It is often easier to not to have your lug your luggage from a parking lot into a Tuscan hill town.

stepsbeyond

bwhizz, PS:

I'm a little concerned, perhaps without reason, that since you've never been to Venice in July, and are coming from cruise ship, you may not realize how uncomfortable it can get pulling suitcases from your ship to your hotel and back to a train station or rental car.

Do you know where your ship is docking? Have you picked a hotel near there?

You mentioned earlier in this thread that you were curtailing your stay in Venice partly because hotels were so expensive. What are you paying? Not everyone pays a lot to stay comfortably in Venice.

In July, with luggage, just about anywhere you go in Italy carrying luggage is a challenge to your temper and good-humor. That is partly why so many people have urged you to pick up a car right when you leave Venice. Cars are air conditioned. You aren't dragging luggage through Italian train stations with many staircases. If you and your future spouse are certain you can hold onto your cool and have fun no matter WHAT happens, then no worries. But the one thing you don't want is a beautiful wedding, a fabulous cruise but your final memories are a meltdown screaming shouting-match at each other in a train station. Many posters here can tell you how easily that happens in Italian train stations.

If you can get comfortable with the hotel bill in Venice, you might do well just do stay there. If you want to head out, the cost of a car might be priceless in making it enjoyable. Only you two know your limits. Have a great time whatever you do!

bwhizz

Wow, thanks for all of replies! Can anyone recommend NICE hotels in venice for less than $200/night?

I think we have decided on this trip: Arrive in Venice July 4th early AM, check in to a hotel (FYI I have already been to Venice). On July 6th in the later afternoon, take the train to Florence where we will stay for 3 nights at this hotel:

http://www.grandhotelminerva.net/

Take day trips (bus) to nearby Tuscan towns and do some wine tours and dinners.

On July 8th, late in the PM train to Rome Airport where we will spend our final night at the Holiday Inn before flying back home at 10am on July 9th.

Can anyone offer advice on this plan? This hotel? What about where to go on some day trips?

stepsbeyond

You should check Tripadvisor for hotels in the price range for Venice, and the hotel for Firenze you've selected. If you still don't find what you want, you should start another thread asking for recommendations of cheaper hotels in Venice. (Likewise, start a thread asking about day trips if you don't get enough answers here.)

cathies

I tried the hotel where we stayed to see if your dates are available and they don't have any vacancies for that time. I think you better hurry up and book something so that you don't miss out. Stepsbeyond has given you good advice to start a new thread for accommodation. Make sure you put your dates and your budget in the post.

annhig

personally, though I note that Barbara has not resisted the temptation to do a bit of advertising [not allowed here, Barbs] i would tend to agree with her. such a shame to hurry away from venice and the lakes, which will be a lovely
contrast to the cruise.

however, if you would rather be in a city, the Florence idea looks the best so far to me.

have a great trip,

regards and congrats, ann