Any suggestions on where to stay with a family of 4 (2 adults / 2 children 18 and 20 - considered adults as well I guess). We would like to stay in places that are pretty nice but with some character...maybe even B&B's. We will be at least 3 night in each location and would rather not get a car but we will if we really need to. Some of the Farmhouse type B&B's look amazing but they may be too far away. Advise?
To best advise you, we need a more specific description than "pretty nice." What is your budget? How many rooms will you need? Do you need rooms with private bath or are you willing to share a bath down the hall? What do you plan to do, meaning what are your interests? (As you mentioned, a farmhouse stay will not be a good idea if your interests center on touring the three major cities you mentioned. More information from you will help offer suggestions.
Hopefully this will help with suggestions, Thanks!
Centerally located in each city
Probably 2 rooms - $250ish per room per night
With private bath
Centerally located in each city
Probably 2 rooms - $250ish per room per night
With private bath
I can highly recommend the Hotel Casci, but you should know it is a 2-star hotel.
Please don't confuse this with being a bad hotel. It simply means you are not going to get room service and there is no concierge.
However, I've stayed there on my last 3 visits and will return again this year. This is a family-owned and run hotel in part of one of the old deMedici palaces. It is in the heart of Florence..3 minutes to the Duomo; 10 minutes to the Ponte Vecchio or Uffizi.
You get a spotless room with modern bath and a terrific continental breakfast is included. They do have "family suites" where you might sleep 4. Or you could get two rooms next to each other. Just send an email and the owner (Paulo Lombardi) will let you know how they can accommodate you.
I love this hotel. I had two single rooms last April, and the rate was E72 per room (cash) or E80 if credit card. (Typical in Italy to get a discount if you pay cash.)
So, save your money for other worthwhile wonders (or rooms in Venice/Rome) and book this hotel. The staff is immensely helpful; there are many guidebooks you can borrow from their library...and they have free wi-fi.
http://www.hotelcasci.com/
PS They also have a laundry service. I loved dropping my dirty laundry at the front desk and it was washed and folded and on my bed when I returned at the end of the day.
You can also read the reviews for this hotel at Tripadvisor.com: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...e_Tuscany.html
Buon viaggio!
Please don't confuse this with being a bad hotel. It simply means you are not going to get room service and there is no concierge.
However, I've stayed there on my last 3 visits and will return again this year. This is a family-owned and run hotel in part of one of the old deMedici palaces. It is in the heart of Florence..3 minutes to the Duomo; 10 minutes to the Ponte Vecchio or Uffizi.
You get a spotless room with modern bath and a terrific continental breakfast is included. They do have "family suites" where you might sleep 4. Or you could get two rooms next to each other. Just send an email and the owner (Paulo Lombardi) will let you know how they can accommodate you.
I love this hotel. I had two single rooms last April, and the rate was E72 per room (cash) or E80 if credit card. (Typical in Italy to get a discount if you pay cash.)
So, save your money for other worthwhile wonders (or rooms in Venice/Rome) and book this hotel. The staff is immensely helpful; there are many guidebooks you can borrow from their library...and they have free wi-fi.
http://www.hotelcasci.com/
PS They also have a laundry service. I loved dropping my dirty laundry at the front desk and it was washed and folded and on my bed when I returned at the end of the day.
You can also read the reviews for this hotel at Tripadvisor.com: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...e_Tuscany.html
Buon viaggio!
I liked the apartments of this company, San Sebastiano's Flat is one of my favorites in Dorsoduro
www.veniceredhouse.com
www.venietiam.com
www.veniceredhouse.com
www.venietiam.com
