Shut my mouth-Hotel Casci in Florence charges a little less 10 euro for a single,20 euro for a double.

In case you haven't noticed, the OP hasn't responded. (And, interestingly, it's his/her first post!)

ohmygawd.. I'm shattered! Someone would yank us around?????

LOL...

What's a troll? Thanks

Putting in the hypothetical dates of Aug. 1st (5 days away) for 3 nights on venere.com reveals the following in Rome:

One star Hotel Kristi-60E-a/c-double ensuite-Via Collina, near Via Veneto-lovely bldg.

Two Star Hotel Margaret-70E double ensuite-Via Veneto-full a/c, private bath, free internet

Two Star RomAntico Hotel -Termini- 65Euros-double ensuite-8.2 rating-full a/c, mini-safe in room, wood furniture, satellite TV

One Star Hotel Cressy-55 Euros/double/shared-Termini

So you see, it most certainly can be done, and particularly in the low season of August. In Venice, the hotel rates in August go down dramatically in many hotels (just check the "special offers" on the Venice hotel websites).

I do hope Adec has found something...

And for those who need further proof that Venice's low season is in August, check out this 50 per cent reduction in rates (just one example) at the Locanda Art Deco in San Marco for end of July/August 2006 -they throw in everything but the kitchen sink during this time period, and in high season, you get none of the perks, and their rates double:

www.locandaartdeco.com/offerta.htm

Using the above website as an example and looking in November and December finds daily double rates at E75 which is lower than the low August rates. Furthermore my experience at least with higher grade hotels in Italy suggests that one can often get another 20 to 30% off listed rates at hotels in the off season in months such as November and December (not Christmas) if you negotiate. While I have not been to Italy in all months of the year I have done February, March, April, July, August, November and December and generally find better hotel/apartment rates in the late fall/winter.

There's more than one low season in Italy-(and this applies to the larger cities, primarily) Nov/Dec.excluding Dec. holidays), Jan/Feb. (excluding Carnevale) are also low season rates for hotels.

But late July/all of August-surprisingly to many people, given the number of visitors to Italy in the summertime-is ALSO a time of very good low season rates, which is another reason why August travel in Italy is good-you can very often get 4 star hotels for 2 star rates during this period-particularly in Rome and Venice.

Thanks everyone
i never imagined the help i would get from this forum
NO troll no jokes no nothing
IT is real serious
we are leavning this sunday although we will reach rome on 8th august after UK and paris
I willl go through the list and book ASAP
thanks again
Ciao
PS our italian --schnegen- visa took a loooong time in coming so coudnt book anything till then

Having had friends in Italy that were hotel managers, Italians take their vacations from the end of July to the end of August. Consequently business people are not booking hotel rooms. And most Italians like to take their vacations at the beach and some like to go to the mountains. So in a lot of places in Italy August is considered low season.

September use to be considered low season also but sadly that is not true anymore.

Best wishes adec..have a lovely trip.

Hi adec,

In Florence, I can highly recommend the B&B Peterson.

www.bedinflorence.it

If this post is serious, I apologize, adec, for assuming you were a 'troll'.

In Venice, try one-star Hotel Riva, which is a good find in a beautiful location at the confluence of two little canals. Also, try Casa Rezzonico. I stayed at the Riva, my daughter stayed once at Rezzonico. I can recommend them both. (But I don't know about A/C.)
In Rome, try the Hotel Panda, for a very inexpensive little hotel, with good reviews. I haven't stayed there, though.
In Florence, try Relais Cavalcanti. We paid 120EUR for a twin room in May. May be less in August. It does have A/C.
Also, do a search on hostels.com (or other websites like that), because nice little hotels are listed there, too.
Finally, try for a convent, if you don't mind a nightly curfew (which might be ok, since you have a 6 year old along). Just do a Google, or try Santa Susanna for Rome
http://www.santasusanna.org/visitorI...sitorInfo.html
Good luck!

If you're planning to stay 3 nights in Rome, then this may work for you @ Romae >>> http://www.hotelromae.com/en/special.htm

OR, because you're trying to book at the last minute, perhaps you could negotiate a rate in your price range for a small hotel with vacancy ... this place in Venice doesn't quite meet your budget ... http://www.casacosmo.com/en/index.htm

And one more suggestion for Venice. Look in the areas of Venice Lido (separate island from central part of Venice) and on Mestre (the mainland). Often folks suggest not to stay in these areas, however you're more likely to find better prices. And actually, with a small child, the Lido may be a good choice.
http://www.en.venice.italyconcierge.com/index_uk.php

Maureen- none of the hotels you have listed in Venice or Rome are under 70 Euros, in August or otherwise, (and the Hotel Riva gets decidedly mixed reviews) which is what the OP is looking for. And WillTravel-La Forcola is showing availability the first week in August at 120 Euros a night, so that won't work either.

Since Adec has come back on the board, and advises Rome arrival August 8th-they should have no problem finding availability with the list above.

However for Venice-there are fewer choices at this juncture- I see the one star Alloggi Henry in Cannaregio is showing availability for doubles at 75 euros, but I think, Adec, you may want to look out on the Lido and take the vaporetto into Venice, as you will find more accomodation there to fit your budget (also consider Mestre).

I'd go to venere.com first, because it's the quickest way to check for the cities you mentioned.

Alternatively, you can wait until you arrive in the city and have the tourist office attempt to book accomodation for you-but I'd definitely try the internet searches first.

Girlspytravel, we just stayed at the Hotel Riva in May. I can assure everyone that the nasty review on tripadvisor is not correct now, if it ever was. It is a sparkling clean little one-star, with a friendly and competent couple who own and operate it. The only negative comment I could make is that the bedspreads needed updating, and the bathroom is tiny.

The location of the Hotel Riva is the key-- because from our corner room we had two windows from which we could see gondolas on two different canals. Also we could hear the singing gondoliers. (It's also recommended by Rick Steves, if anyone cares about that.)

I listed it and others on my post because I'd suggest the OP stay in Venice itself, not outside it. Personally, I don't think you get the feel of Venice if you stay at the Lido or Maestre. Also, I think 70EUR for a triple might be tough to find in Venice (or Rome) anytime.

Also, be aware that venere.com will charge slightly more than renting directly from the hotel.

Assuming serious poster, I'd suggest you check out the hotels -- they have family rooms and would fall into your price range. My daughter & 2 other teachers spend 3-4 nights at a comfortable hostel in Florence with AC and said it was perfect. try www.hostelz.com
and see what you can find.