I'm traveling to Venice and can't speak a word of Italian. My travel agent won't book my room in the Pensionne of my choice because it's not in their system. Any advice?

I just made reservations in Venice, Rome, Florence, Sorrento and Paris -- by fax and by phone! Try using the basics: Una camera (one room) - doppia (dbl) matrimoniale (dbl bed) prenatiazone (reservation) per tre notte (3 nights) per (your dates). Or try the same in English; you'll get a readable reply. Most will then want a credit card number. It worked very well -- and I don't speak any Italian. I'm leaving on Saturday -- and I hope my rooms are waiting! I'm going to send fax confirmations again this week.
If you don't have a fax, give it a try by phone - in English. PS. We're staying at Locanda Fiorita in Venice- fax # 041 5228043 - or hey! They have e-mail! [email protected] Good luck.

I am going to Italy in July. I made reservations by
fax, in English, to small hotels and convents in
Florence, Rome, and Sienna. I requested room and rate
information. I stated in my fax that if it was
acceptable I would fax back with credit card info
to hold my room. Everyone responded within 12 hours.
I faxed them back with my credit card info and they
refaxed me with their confirmation. It was very easy
and not very expensive.

I made reservations for Rome, Florence, Venice and Sienna by email. Try the Italian site:

http://www.venere.it/italy_it.html

It has over 6,000 Hotels - with phone/fax/address info. Many sites have a web page, many with pictures and e-mail addresses. A great resource! Have Fun!

PS to above post - You do have to call or fax your credit card number to confirm the reservation. Or you can take the chance and e-mail it (I didn't!).

Another way is by Calling a company called Utell. They're listed in Karen Brown's books on Inns. They will make reservations for you for their hotels, which are over 6500 in the world. I haven't tried it yet....but I will

I took a chance and picked up the phone as there was a place in Venice I really wanted to stay. The gentleman who answered the phone spoke perfect English. I made the reservation easily. However, the pensione would not accept a credit card for deposit, but said they would for the balance when I checked out. I had to send the deposit in lire. I went to an American Express travel office and got a foreign draft in lire and mailed it to the pensione. I got a fax back within two weeks with my confirmation. This was not too difficult except that the exchange rate I got was not nearly as good as it would have been by charging it to a credit card. And I had to pay $10 for the foreign draft.