We just returned yesterday from Florence and Venice (not our first trip to either place). I'm glad to answer any questions, and also thought I'd let people know about a few things. <BR> <BR>It's true that there is a lot of work being done in Italy, but not enough that I wouldn't recommend going there. Just be prepared not to see everything you want. <BR> <BR>Closures in Florence: Santa Maria Novella, La Badia, Il Museo del l'Opera del Duomo, and (I think) the Science Museum. Also, several other smaller churches. <BR> <BR>Closures in Venice: Gesuiti, L'Orologio, and smaller churches. I'm sure I missed a lot of other things that are closed for restoration, but that's what I can think of right now. <BR> <BR>We had reservations at the Uffizi, which I definitely recommend, but we didn't have reservations at the Accademia, and had no problem. We got there when it opened and just waited until they opened the doors. We also stayed nearby, and several times we walked by in the afternoon and there was no line at all. The only problem with the Accademia in the morning is that a lot of tour groups were there and they seemed to think that it was open for their exclusive use. If I was looking at a statue and a tour guide started talking about it, I got a lot of dirty looks and even pushes to move because it was "their" turn. I'm not a big fan of tour groups, and this reminded me why. Also tour guides speaking in very loud voices in churches clearly posted with signs saying "Silenzio". <BR> <BR>The only signs of the war we saw were a pretty good number of hand-made protest signs. Mainly of the "stop the war" type, but we did see a little anti-american graffiti. No reason to be at all nervous travelling to Italy though. This trip also reminded me that some Fodorites seem to worry excessively about crime. I felt much safer there at night than I do at home. <BR> <BR>We flew Alitalia, and I was somewhat apprehensive about it, as others on this forum had said it was terrible due to excessive smoking. However, both flights were non-smoking and I would definitely fly Alitalia again. <BR> <BR>We had some great meals and saw some truly amazing things. I'd be glad to answer any questions.

<BR>Hi! I will be in Venice in about 2 weeks. I would like to know how you made your reservations for the Uffizi. Did you do it online? Thanks

Hi Cheryl, <BR>sounds like you had a great trip. I'd love to hear what restaurants you ate at and enjoyed. Also, any unusual or off the beaten track sights that you saw and particularly liked. And do you have any idea how long the science museum in Florence will be closed? I know my husband was looking forward to seeing Galileo's telescopes, but we are not going until September.

My husband and I were at the Science Museum on May 17. I don't know if it has closed since. We really enjoyed it. <BR>

Kathy- <BR> <BR>Did I misunderstand your message? The Uffizi is in Florence, are you going to be there as well? We ordered our tickets through weekendafirenze.com, but I don't think they sell them anymore. I think you can call or fax the Uffizi directly, though. <BR> <BR>Beth- <BR> <BR>I may be wrong about the Science museum, we didn't have time to go, but it seemed pretty boarded up. It's possible though, that they have another entrance open (the Doges Palace is like that). If Laura was there last week, that seems likely. Sorry about misleading you. <BR> <BR>In Florence, I strongly recommend Osteria Santo Spirito (it's right on the piazza), we have eaten there on two different trips and loved it. A small restaurant, it seems to be very popular with italians. <BR> <BR>In Venice, the best meal we had was at Vini da Gigio in the Canareggio district. It was close to our hotel and Fodor's recommended it, so we tried it and loved it. It was charming and the seafood was delicious. Excellent wine list as well. You will need a reservation to eat here. We also had seafood at Trattoria alla Maddonna, where we have also been before. It was excellent and has a very different atmosphere from the first restaurant. It's very busy and popular, no reservations are taken. <BR> <BR>I'm not sure what to recommend for "off-the-beaten-path". I don't know how far off we got, or if you have been before. I will say that our favorite place in Florence that we had never seen before was Museo di San Marco. It was wonderful to see Fra Angelico's fresco's in this monastery exactly as the monks would have seen them. <BR> <BR>In Venice we went to Torcello, which we had never done before, and really enjoyed the Byzantine church there.

I forgot, you also cannot see the tombs of Michelangelo or Gallileo tomb at Santa Croce. Both are being restored.

<BR>Cheryl: You did not misunderstand my message-I was in a hurry and put Venice instead of Florence. I know that the Uffizi is in Florence, but yes, <BR>we are going to Venice, also. I will try to order tickets online for the Uffizi. <BR>Thanks Kathy

<BR>Hi Cheryl, thanks for info. We plan a trip to Italy next June, have been there lots and can't wait. I just want to tell you to see "Tea with Mussolini" now that you're home. Made me want to start packing right now!

Just so you all know, the weekendafirenze site has changed their web address. It is now <BR>www.waf.it/museires.htm and you can buy tickets online for both the Uffizi and Accademia. I just bought some for the Accademia next month and received my confirmation with 2 days.

Cheryl, We have not booked a hotel in Venice yet and are going June 24th - any recommendations - not too $$. We finally found a hotel in Florence-Alessandra near the Ponte Vecchio. There is a fashion expo going on at the same time and reservations in the 150.-180.oo range were slim ( with air/bath)! Enjoyed all the comments and am taking lots of notes!!

Paige- Excellent! How did you *ever* find their ticket reservation web page? Weekendafirenze (home page) stopped selling tickets ~1 month ago, I remember trying all their links with no luck. The URL is different but it still has the Weekendafirenze logo on their home page, you'd think they would at least have a link to it. Good Work Regards, Walter <BR>

Cinda- <BR> <BR>We stayed at the Bernardi-Semenzato, which I would definitely stay at again. The hotel was recommended by several guidebooks, including Fodors, but I was a little nervous about it because when I ran a search on this forum, one person had posted several messages about what a horrible hotel it was. I can't imagine what he was talking about. It was clean, comfortable, convenient (right off the Strada Nuova), and relatively quiet. The price was excellent, just under $100 US per night. However, it doesn't have air conditioning, not a problem for me in May, but it might be for you in June. We have also enjoyed the Locanda Sturion on an earlier trip, and while the hotel was a little nicer than the Bernardi-Semenzato, to us it wasn't worth the extra money for this trip. Good luck, in my experience, the hotels in Italy seem to have booked up very early this year.

Walter! How else to find a link after the original disappears? I posted a message here on this forum and had my answer within a day! The people on this forum are so helpful and I just wanted to pass along a bit of the helpfulness to everyone else! Glad to be a part of it!

Our hotel in Florence had e-mail so we sent a message to reserve a time for the Ufizzi, as well as the Accademia and royal apartments at the Pitti Palace. You can also fax your hotel and ask them to make the reservations. It is a must!

Some hotels will indeed make reservations, but if you are staying at the more budget places, they do not usually do this kind of thing. The hotel we stayed at in Florence does not make reservations for the museums.

Has anyone stayed at Luna Hotel Baglioni in Venice? - It looks amazing in the brochures! Also, I'm relieved to hear that Venice sounds a pretty safe place to visit. After all the talk of 'Gypsies I've encountered on this site, I was beginning to worry. Any horror stories, PLEASE let me know! One last thing - My fiance and I are getting married in Verona in three weeks time. Has anyone any suggestions of somewhere suitably romantic/exciting/wonderful to have a wedding celebration meal for two? Phew!That's all!! Thanks!!! <BR>Helen (Middlesbrough, England)

The Museum of the History of Science was quite open week before last (we went on Friday 6/4). The tomb of Galileo at Santa Croce was covered but Michelangelo's was uncovered and visible that same day. HOpe this helps.

I visited the science museum in Florence on June 16th. Ithink the front of the building,on the Arno,was boarded up, but the entrance is immediately around the corner.

Re: Science Museum in Florence. I was just there last week. Definitely open and no signs that I noticed indicating upcoming closure. Fascinating scientific relics--microscopes, telescopes, globes, surgical instruments, Galileo's middle finger (!), compasses, perpetual motion machines, thermometers, hygrometers, barometers, etc etc. <BR>

Cheryl,

How long did it take you to get to Torcello, look around and get back to Venice? Did you take the vaporetto from the Fondamente Nuovo (I think) or from the stop nearer Piazza San Marco (I am staying at the Danieli and that would be more convenient for me.)? I am planning to visit Torcello when I am in Venice next year. Also, is the Torre dell'Orologio still covered in scaffolding or just closed for inside visits?

Helen,

I stayed at the Luna Baglioni on my first visit to Venice. It is a lovely hotel, very near Piazza San Marco (2-3 minutes) and Harry's Bar. My room was a nice size and had beautiful Murano glass light fixtures. On my other visit I stayed at the Europa and Regina which is larger and somewhat more grand but also a little farther from PSM. From what I remember, I would not hesitate to recommend the Luna.