Gwendolynn,

Was that in 1935? ;)

Chuckle, chuckle.... even I wasn't born then! Actually, I think it was about 1985. An old palazzo in Castello called La Residenzia. (sp?) We've tried to stay there on other occasions with no luck. Last I checked they were up to over $100+ a nite.

In case anyone's interested:

www.venicelaresidenza.com

As for 37.50, these days that will barely buy a few vaporetto rides>

yup i was shocked a year ago to find that a single vaporetto (public boats) was i think about 8 euros - of course a boat pass for the whole day only cost a few euros more but still a single ride well over $10. Maybe you could sleep on the boat to save hotel costs? (Joking)

This info is probably too late, but I'll add it so future readers will see it. At the end of July, I followed the advice at this Fodor forum link (http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ass-dilema.cfm) and called Byron at Budget Europe Travel (http://www.budgeteuropetravel.com/id3.html), when helping my nephew figure out rail travel in Switzerland recently. It's true...Byron is the "go to" person for Swiss passes...ANY kind of Europe rail pass or ticket! He was so helpful and knew so much, plus, their price for mailing the pass to my nephew was only $5 first class (they mailed it "insured") v. Rick Steves' website charging $12 and Rail Europe $15. It's the same pass, of course. My nephew received the pass in just a few days. I will always contact Budget Europe Travel, and likely Byron, for any future Europe rail travel!

Hmm..., the only three posts of AQ are identically worded praise of a commercial enterprise... no questions, do advice, just advertisement.

WTH?

I haven't bought anything from Budget Europe Travel, but I have phoned them two or three times to ask for advice. The people I've talked to were courteous and professional and there was no charge for their time. Since I live in the US, I was able to use their toll-free number so the phone call was free, too.

altamiro,

It looks like AQ's posts are copy paste to very similar Qs on three threads. It saves her from writing it all out again.

I am a twice satisfied customer of BETS, a Eurail Pass and a Britrail Pass. They know their stuff and perform as promised.

I have also used RailEurope and have no complaints. But the personal service at BETS will bring me back to them the next time.