I've read some great advice on this sight. Base on availability & price, I have the following hotel choices (with air conditioning) for mid-June:<BR>Florence- Hotel Sofia or Albergo Chiazza<BR>Venice- La Calcina, Belle Arti, Do Pozzi or a hotel in "ghetto" area. This is a first time trip, any direction welcome. Thanks!

I can only give advice on do pozzi...I stayed there last year and really liked it. It's not on a canal but really quite centrally located near San Marco...but a little ways from the maddening crowds. The room was very nicely appointed and the bathroom was modern, the help gracious and the breakfast was good...the hotel is on a little courtyard that was very pleasant to breakfast at. Though most will say go for La calcina if there is room! (There never is when I want to go!) availibility...

We stayed in Venice at La Calcina, in a corner room overlooking the Giudecca Canal for 176 euros/night. It was an easy walk to the major sites (10-15 minutes), and close to the Zattere vaporetto stop. Nice, comfortable 3-star with a congenial staff and decent breakfast in the morning.

I second bb's advice on Do Pozzi. It was very pleasant and it is very well located. I stayed there for a week last fall. I have also heard good things about Belle Arti, but it is further away from the San Marco. (In Dorsoduro, I think.) I don't know either of the Firenze hotels. You should check Fodor's or "Cheap Sleeps in Italy" or some other reliable guide.

We stayed in the Hotel Lombardi, near the train station. Very clean, good breakfast. Within walking distance to everything.

We didn't like the Do Pozzi. Our room was very noisy, located over a tiny alleyway with seemingly endless traffic all night. The room had mosquitos (perhaps this is a problem all over). It was just an ok room for a lot of money. Most of all, we disliked the area which was packed with tourists and had little of the charm of other, quieter areas of Venice, such as the Accedemia area, where we'll stay next time.

In Florence: Albergo Balestri, Piazza Mentana. Easy walk to Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio.

Nina<BR>I would not stay in a hotel in the Ghetto area simply because it would be too far from most of the other sights and areas that I enjoy seeing and browsing around. The Ghetto itself is an area that I do recommend exploring as part of your visit.

Well, maybe it was me that mentioned it the first time on this site, but... Pensione La Calcina is perfection. For the hotel itself, the location, the price, the atmosphere. It is immaculate, peaceful, quiet, well-run. Not to mention a nice breakfast served in the dining room or over the canal. I've stayed there twice and can't imagine you'll find better. Lovely.

Okay here is what I have to say about <BR>Europe in general. You can spend alot of $ and not get alot so go for the cute upper end pensions and if you want to splurge go for the upper end 3 stars. Frommers web site has great reviews. In the out skits of Florence there is an adorable place called La Torricella; you can find out more on Karen Brown's web site. The thing about Florence is it's really loud and crouded so you will love this place because at the end of the day you can hang at the pool and chill. You might want to rent a car and take a some day trips . Don't worry about getting lost everybody does it's half the fun.In Venice splurge! I stayed at the Flora and it was great; but it does book up quickly. Have fun Italy is just the best.

Thank you fellow travelers for posting your advice. Your tips are the best.

visited florence and venice in april. stayed at monna lisa in florence and loved the ambiance - quiet and reasonably located for walkers. stayed in room 53 overlooking the garden. large room with large bath. in venice we also stayed at the Flora - great location and quiet. first room they gave us was tiny. whined and was upgraded to a lovely room on an upper floor. it was still cool at night in april so a/c was not a factor. these are 3 star hotels. found fodor's rants and raves very helpful.

The ghetto area is quite run-down and depressing. I would definately not stay in that area if I had any choice at all.