I just booked a flight to Milan for October trip. I have several questions if you could help me. <BR> <BR>First, what do you think of the following itinerary? <BR>- Fly into and stay in Milan for 1 nt <BR>- train to and stay in Florence for 3 nts <BR>- to Venice for 2 nts <BR>- train to Milan and Fly to Barcelona(4 nts). <BR> <BR>I didn't realize that it takes about 3 hours between Milan, Florence, and Venice. Half day will be gone by moving one city to another. <BR> <BR>Visiting Barcelona is my husband's request. I spent one week in Italy when I was in college (17 yrs ago). First time to Italy for my husband. <BR> <BR>A big question. I generally stay in 2 - 3 star hotels. When I checked the website for 3-star hotels in Venice, they all charge around $250 per night. Is it usual in Venice? Or is it something to do with Year 2000 or because of the month, October? <BR> <BR>I checked various websites, including hoteldiscounts and veniceinfo. Are there any websites that offer discounts in Italian hotels? My budget is $100-150 per night. <BR> <BR>I still have about 6 months before I leave. There is a chance I have to cancel this trip. So, I'd like to wait to book hotels until one month before or so. Do you think that'll be too late for the October trip? <BR> <BR>Are there things affecting Florence and Venice due to Rome's Year 2000? <BR> <BR>I know I listed many questions. I'd appreciate any comments or suggestions. Thank you. <BR>

I just put together an Italian trip for my husband and myself....also in October.The things I found most useful...Rick Steves Italy 2000 book. The website www.venere.it(great for reservations...I would book now,,some of the places I wanted were already full). You can always cancel over the net...just pick hotels that take credit cards...I found that Venice was more expensive...check ou the Rick Steves book.Good luck...Maggie

Hello, <BR>Just wanted to give my input on your trip to Italy. Your itinerary sounds great and those are the normal prices in Venice. I was there twice last year and it cost me the same. I don't know where you're staying, but may I recommend the hotel I stayed at. It is called Ambassador Tre Rose (3 stars) but the service is impeccable and it is 20 steps from Piazzo San Marco. Don't forget, when traveling to Venice, the biggest pain in the behind is finding your hotel and carrying your luggage!! <BR>When you exit the water taxi in front of Piazzo San Marco you veer to the top left corner, it's very easy. Also, don't forget that in October the weather isn't the best in Venice because there is a tendancy for flooding. When I was there last year in October I couldn't believe it, It rained alot and was cold and from around 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM Piazzo San Marco was under about 1 meter or more of water!!!! I had been there in April and my Venetian friends told me it flooded in October and November, I didn't believe it until I actually saw it!! INCREDIBLE!! <BR>Barcelona is a beautiful city and make sure you see Sagrada Familia Cathedral. <BR>You will have a wonderful time!!I usually recommend to my friend to stay in one country at a time because the travel in between can be murderous. But if you must, you will love Barcelona. <BR>Why don't you go to Rome for 4 days and see the Vatican and the Colloseum and the Forum. That would be my recommendation. And save Barcelona and the rest of Spain for another trip. Spain is my favorite country and you won't do it justice in 4 days!! <BR> <BR>Anyway I hope I helped and Have Fun!! <BR> <BR>Alice

Dear Hitomi <BR>Try doing a search on this Forum for Venice hotels, and/or purchase a copy of <BR>Gustafson's book Cheap Sleeps in Italy (available on amazon.com among other places) <BR>There are less-expensive comfortable places to stay, but they are small and fill up very quickly, even for next October. <BR>If it were me, I would skip the Milan part of your itinerary just because I would want to avoid packing/unpacking and checking in/checking out one additional time, and I would want to add the time onto Florence or Venice. From Malpensa I would continue straight on to Florence, by plane or train. If you very much want to see "The Last Supper" perhaps you could work it in before you leave for Barcelona. You will need to reserve that in advance anyway. <BR>By no means wait to book your hotels as it will decrease your chances of finding anything nice and affordable. You can always cancel as long as you give them adequate notice, usually no more than 1-2 weeks in advance. <BR>Venice Hotel websites <BR>www.ve.flashnet.it <BR>www.hotelguide.ch/ <BR>www.venicehotel.com/ <BR>www.italyhotel.com/venezia <BR> <BR>www.italyguide.com/ <BR>www.hotelguide.ch/ <BR>

Be sure to inquire about their cancellation policy at the time you contact them about availability & rates; make sure you've got it in writing before you give out your credit card information. Don't assume anything. They can vary anywhere from 2 days notice to 4 weeks.

Also, 2-star hotels in Venice are generally quite adequate & clean, & certainly more affordable than the 3-star rates. Don't rule them out!

Have been to all places you are going. Venice is just crazy with people, no shade and no where to sit except concrete or cafe tables, that said it is also a beautiful city. I did one thing in each city that really sticks in my mind: at least one morning in each city I got up at dawn and walk the streets (my wife only manged to do this with me in Florence when we went to the Academia to see the David) anyway, you have to do this. In St Mark's Square I was alone except for the birds and one police officer, fantastic! The narrow streets were deserted except for a few photographer tourists and the occassional worker. Find the rare open cafe and have a pastry and late' and soak in the peace and quiet. If you want you can still crawl back in bed for a sweet dreamed filled couple of hours then get up with reat of the masses knowing that you had the city to yourselve for a little while.

Thank you, everyone. <BR>I didn't know it rains a lot in Venice in October. I thought, in general, October provides a nice weather in Italy. But now I will prepare for it, thanks. <BR> <BR>I thought about visiting Rome instead of Barcelona. However, as I mentioned my hubby loves Spain, so I must include it. We spent two weeks in Spain (Madrid + Andulusia-spelled?)last year, but did not visit Barcelona... so... <BR> <BR>I'd also consider skipping Milan. The only reason I included is that we will be flying Milan from S.F. at 2:25 pm., so we may be too exausted to take a 3-hour train to Florence... <BR> <BR>I will definitely book hotels within one month. It seems many hotels are small to begin with and nice hotels are well known among the travellers. Another good advice! Thanks. <BR> <BR>Mark, you sound like my husband. He likes to get up very early and just walk around in a strange city... we will do that. <BR> <BR>Again, thanks, everyone, for very helpful advices. <BR>

If you're leaving from Linate in Milan & your plane leaves late morning or later, you may want to think about spending your last day & night in the town of Como & catch an early train down to Milan. It's only a 35 minute ride; but don't cut it too thin, because the train might be running late.

Dear Hitomi, <BR> <BR>I think you are wise to spend the night in Milano after such a long flight. I also think you can find a very nice 2-star hotel in Venice. October is high season in Venice and I'd book 2 months before I go, not wait until 1 month before.