My husband and I and our 11 year old son are going on our first trip abroad, to Italy. While we have travelled extensively in the states, Europe does seem to be a different country (ha ha). I have picked the Cavalieri Hilton for Rome, the Hotel Cavalletto & Doge in Venice and the Grand Hotel in Florence. Has anyone stayed at any of these hotels and are they a good choice with an 11 year-old. Also, is there going to be a place to put our luggage on the train? We have been told not to rent a car.

we rented a car for 11 days in Italy and had a fabulous time!!! Hertz.com has outlets everywhere, but if you're nervous, just take a taxi and pick up the car a few miles form downtown - the driving is FINE. Be advised: the diesel nozzles fit into the gas nozzles in Italy and France - be sure you are gettign GAS!!! Have fun!

I wouldn't stay at the C. Hilton, it is about 10 to 15 minutes outside of town and you have to take shuttles into town. It is nice, like a Hilton, but sterile and mostly for business travelers. You won't get the flaver of Rome, I would suggest another nice hotel right in the middle of things.<BR>I dont know you, of course, but if you drive in your hometown and area, why not rent a car? Although trains may be fun for you son, don't be afraid to rent a car (for the average person).

Which Grand Hotel in Florence? I would not recommend the Hilton either, for the money you are paying, try searching for one near something right in the thick of things. It is nice to walk at night outside of your hotel and have a gelato and go to the piazzas and watch the lit up fountains without worrying about catching a tram.

Carol, <BR><BR>I would second and third the opionions to change hotels. You can search on &quot;hotels&quot; and &quot;Rome&quot;, then &quot;hotels&quot; and &quot;Florence&quot;, and &quot;hotels&quot; and &quot;Venice&quot; and get some more European options. <BR><BR>Here are my two favorites. <BR><BR>Message: Best rating by the most respondents on Fodors Rants'n'Raves:<BR><BR>I have stayed at both and loved both. The are both about a little more than $150 but not much. <BR><BR>BEACCI TORNABUONI<BR>http://www.bthotel.it/inglese/inglese.htm<BR><BR>Via Tornabuoni 3, Florence 50123, Italy <BR>Phone: 055/212645 <BR>Fax: 055/283594 <BR><BR>This is perhaps the classic Florentine pensione. Set in a 14th-century palazzo, it has old-fashioned style and just enough modern comfort to keep you happy. The agreeable sitting room has a large fireplace, the terrace offers a tremendous view of some major Florentine monuments, and the wallpapered rooms are inviting. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights, the dining room, serving Tuscan specialties, opens for guests and others. www.BThotel.it. 28 rooms. Restaurant, bar, parking (fee). AE, DC, MC, V. Meal plans available. <BR><BR>and<BR><BR>ACCADEMIA VILLA MARAVEGE<BR>http://www.pensioneaccademia.it/index-e.html<BR><BR>Fondamenta Bollani, 1058 Dorsoduro, Venice 30123, Italy <BR>Phone: 041/521-0188 <BR>Fax: 041/523-9152 <BR><BR>A secret garden awaits just beyond an iron gate, complete with a mini Palladian-style villa, flower beds, stone cupids, and verdant trees - all rarities in Venice. Aptly nicknamed &quot;Villa of the Wonders,&quot; this patrician retreat once served as the Russian embassy. Conservative rooms are outfitted with Victorian-era antiques and fine tapestry. It's built on a promontory where two side canals converge on the Grand Canal, which is well glimpsed from the garden. Book well in advance. 27 rooms. Bar. AE, DC, MC, V.

There are luggage racks just inside the entrance to the train car. There is also space above the seats for smaller bags.

To Carol:<BR><BR>You don't say how long your trip is, but if it is at or under a &quot;typical&quot; duration of 8-10 days, I think that taking the train is a perfectly good decision. And I am one of the most vocal advocates of renting a car in Europe (Italy in particular also).<BR><BR>Because of the high cost of parking, you will scarcely save any money. And you simply don't need a car IN these three cities. With 10 days or less, you don't HAVE to see anything outSIDE them either - - and again, this is in spite of the fact that I normally do recommend getting out into the countryside.<BR><BR>I do not know the Cavalieri Hilton, but it does sound like it is an area thatis less well-suited for a good first trip than hotels in the Centro Storico (&quot;historic center&quot. Note that this is NOT the &quot;center&quot; of &quot;ancient Rome&quot;, though the Pantheon is dead smack in the middle of it.<BR><BR>Two that I recommend are Cesari and Albergo del Senato. Another comparable is Santa Chiara, and two higher priced, classier places in the same vicinity are the Minerve and the Raphael.<BR><BR>The recommendations for Florence and Venice from Beth both seem very good to me. In all three cities, I urge you to visit www.venere.com - - excellent for window shopping, checking availability, making inquiries, reservations or cancellations. I have used it a dozen-plus times.<BR><BR>What month are you going? Unless you have little or no time before your trip, I think that you will find a wealth of other information, and answers to questions. Come back often, as your plans evolve.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Perhaps the reason &quot;Europe does seem to be a different country&quot; is because Europe is NOT a country, it is the generic name of a continent comprised of a number of independant countries all with their own language and culture.

European, lighten up. Carol was OBVIOUSLY (HA HA HA) joking. <BR><BR>Carol, I stayed at the Sheraton Roma during my first visit to Rome. While it was about 15 minutes from the old center, it was a great stay. They had a pool, parking (outside spaces + garage), and a complimentary van that took/picked-up guests to/from Piazza Venezia every hour on the hour. The complimentary breakfast was great and the staff was very, very helpful. I would e-mail/ask the hotel if they have similar arrangements. I remembered there was a family park within walking distance and a soccer field. IF that is what you are looking for, the Sheraton might be a good/better choice. We picked this hotel because we had a half-price voucher, so the room came up to about $100.00, gorgeous room, it was a great deal (Entertainment Books). Now, this type of hotels caters to the business traveler, so I doubt there will be tons of kids for your son to socialize with. However, I imagine you guys will be sightseeing all day and that will keep him pretty busy. As far as train vs. car, we had a car and were able to travel to Pompeii on our own pace, etc. However, the hotel may be able to arrange a car for a day if need be (another question to ask them!). Have fun!

Carol,<BR><BR>If you go on to RANTS AND RAVES in this site, you will see that many travellers seem to feel that the Cavalieri Hilton is overpriced for what it offers. And it is a good distance from central Rome. You don't say when you're going, but we visited in July, and you won't be happy with having to get back and forth to the major sites in boiling hot weather. I would definitely pick a hotel closer in. You will save $$$ and be right in the action. Good luck!

If you do change hotels, here are the hotels we stayed in with our 2 kids:<BR>Rome - Santa Chiara 3*<BR>Florence - Hotel Casci 2*<BR>Venice - Hotel Flora. 3*<BR>They all are VERY conveniently located, include nice breakfasts and have pleasant staff. The Flora is particularly charming. When in FLorence, take your son to the History of Science Museum. In Venice, take a tour of Doges Palace (the audio tour is fine), in Rome, don't miss the Colliseum, Vatican Museum and Borghese Gallery (this is a lovely museum and much smaller and easier to handle than the Vatican). Go on a tour, audio or otherwise at these sites. At the Vatican Museum, don't knock yourself out trying to see everything. It's quite large and overwhelming. I also agree that location is important, the feel of local character and charm in the heart of any of these cities is precious. We spent much of our time just walking around, exploring the little streets and alley-ways. You all will LOVE Italy.

Carol,<BR><BR>We have traveled to Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa with our daughter beginning when she was 11. The most difficult problems was always finding a hotel that would put 3 in a room and you could still walk around in the room. As far as food, there is McDonald's in every major city we have gone. We try to get her to try new foods, but it is always nice to have American chain restaurants as a last resort. She is now 17 and has adapted quite well to trying foreign foods--a little more each trip. As far as culture, we almost always hire a guide for at least 1/2 day advising them in advance of the age of our daughter and our interests and asking that they adapt their tour talks and sites to interest her. It has always proved fruitful. Our first trip to Europe when she was 11, we went to Rome and Venice. She was fascinated with the catacombs, the Vatican, the Colosseum, the Forum in Rome and enjoyed a gondola ride and feeding the pigeons in St. Mark's square in Venice. We prepared her ahead of time with a little history and watched some movies set in those cities to familiarize her ahead of time. We even enjoyed watching TV in our hotel room in Italian (Laverne &amp; Shirley and Wheel of Fortune). We didn't understand it but it was fun. You will have a great time!

Not that it needs the good publicity (there are hundred of favorable posts about it here), but the Santa Chiara gets a good mention in the NYTimes article on Rome today. They also cite Smeraldo and Russie in the lower and higher priced categories (also near the top of the list of well-cited hotels here in their respective brackets).<BR>

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Can't comment on your Florence and Rome choices, but the Cavelletto &amp; Doge Orseolo is an &quot;OK&quot; hotel - older furnishings and fixtures, but comfortable and restful - in a GREAT location. It's just off Saint Mark's Square, and the &quot;bacino&quot; where they park Gondolas is right outside (how much more Venitian can you get?).<BR><BR>I imagine your 11 yo will enjoy the location.

Just returned 2 weeks ago. Regarding luggage storage on trains, the EuroStar trains have large luggage racks in either at the front or back of each 1st class cabin. They are unsecured/unlocked but you can usually keep an eye on yor luggage from your seat. We also traveled on InterCity trains, and these trains did NOT have any luggage storage racks except above the seats (very limited room, smaller carry on luggage only). Since we brought a large pullman, we had to keep our luggage in the aisle from Milan to Venice, a lot of hassle. Take EuroStar if you can or limit your luggage.

I would suggest 1 rolling suitcase (19&quot;-22&quot; preferable, 26&quot; max.) per person. You will be able to lift these above your seat onto the luggage racks provided there. Larger bags are normally left on racks at the front of each car.<BR><BR>My even more important piece of advice is TRY NOT TO PANIC. Believe me, I guarantee you WILL run into stressful and unusual situations. Try to stay calm and remember that it is all part of your big adventure!!

We had the usual luggage racks at the end of our car on our IC train from Venice to Milan. We went first class (we always travel second class on Eurostar because we can't see enough difference to justify the cost) and had a non-smoking car.

Pack light!! That is the one single, simple thing you can do to make your trip less of a hassle.<BR>

Thank you all for all of your great advice. One more question. My travel agent has suggested we stay at the Star Hotel Metrople in Rome. Has anyone stayed there before. Is it in a good location? Are the rooms nice? I have taken everyone's advice and dumped the Cavelerie Hilton. Thank you all again. By the way we are going to Italy at the end of December for 10 days.