We are going to Italy for almost 3 weeks in May! We would love you advice and experience on where to stay in Rome, Florence, Venice, the Lake District (Lake Como) and the Cinque Terra (spelling?) We will be three days in most places. The first 10 days our 18 year old son will be with us, so we will be three people, which limits choices for lodging. Cost matters of course, but so does location, comfort and ambiance. The last week we will be a couple and might want something more romantic than family oriented. Most of all we would like it to be truly Italian. We are leaning towards covent and monasteries, and VRBO (vacation rent by owner) and small Band B's but will consider hotels too. What do you suggest travelers who have been there?

Just booked hotels in Rome, Florence and Milan. The first Thing I do is pull out a detailed map of the area and decide where I want the to spend most of my time. I try to find a hotel within my price in that area.

But I always end with a really nice hotel. It's a nice way to end a vacation.

What specifically is your itinerary...starting in Rome or Venice? How many days in each location? We can much better make suggestions if we have a better idea regarding this. Which locations will just be the two of you?

What, specifically, is your budget (in dollars or euros) per night?

Thank you Challenger for your response. We are looking at where we want to spend the most time, which is clear in Florence, but it is a bit overwhelming in Rome. I like the idea of ending with a really nice hotel, thank you.

Our itinerary starts in Rome for 3 days, then Florence for 3 days, then Florence for 4, Lake Como for 3 days, then 3 days in the five little villages on the italian Riveria. At the end we fly out of Milan, so there will be one night there. Our budget in in the 100 to 200 euros, preferably the lower end of that range, but there is leeway.

Hi Venus-Maher,
We stayed in a great 2 bedroom apt this year in Rome. It is right next to Campo dei Fiori, although not right on the square. It is 135 euro a night. The open air market is held daily in the Campo. It is fun to roam around and pick up some fixings for a few meals.

http://www.sleepinitaly.com/rome/cam...ent-balestrari

In Bellagio on Lake Como, look at staying in an apartment:

http://www.residencelalimonera.com/

Location is everything:
Rome---Hotel Smeraldo
Florence---Hotel Casci
Venice---La Calcina
CT--pick your town first