Travelling with another couple,they are first time visators. We will be travelling by van and want to visit Venice, Florence and Tuscany. Need hotel recommendations too. One day in Venice will be spent visiting the lace island and of course riding in a gondola and visiting St. Marks. Following our week we are embarking on a cruise that leaves out of Barcelona. Need to get from Northern Italy to Barcelona. Ideas and suggestions are most welcome.

Reece - I would think Venice & Florence will fill much of the week, though you might want to add any from Siena, Lucca, Pisa, Cortona ...

For more ideas check out Dean's Tuscany suggestions thread.

To get to Barcelona, the budget airlines MERIDIANA fly from Florence, RYANAIR fly from Bergamo to Girona, EVOLAVIA fly from Ancona ...

www.meridiana.it
www.ryanair.com
http://www.evolavia.com/doc/htm/ing/

Hope this helps ...

Steve

...or you could fly Alitalia from Milan to Barcelona (90 minute flight) though that's probably only cost effective if you fly into Venice, fly RT Alitalia Milan-Barcelona, then fly home from Milan (or Venice, or wherever).

Your Venice plans sound extensive enough that you'd probably need more than a full day there.

How to I access Dean's Tuscany thread? I am new to this forum. Thank you, Steve for replying to my question.
reece

I never knew this thread was "famous" (I hope this is the right one) - - and it is not straightforward to find.

But judged by the number of times that someone has "topped" it, this must be it:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...mp;tid=1337950

Best wishes,

Rex

oh, and p.s. - - I suppose you will want to know what "topping" is - - http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34456969

Reece - I've topped it for you.

Here's the link:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/postrep...mp;tid=1325569

Hope this helps ...

Steve

I have just read Dean's posts, thank you, Steve for topping it for me! Most enjoyable and thorough reading. Any suggestions on hotels?

Reece - I suggest you re-post with a new title for hotel recommendations in specific towns, giving your budget. I'm sure you'll get lots of suggestions.

Steve