I have a week off in first week of Jan and my family is planning to go to Italy. I know it gets cold and rainy in Venice at this time but my husband would like to go to Venice and Milan since he has relatives there (in Milan). My son, however, would like to visit Rome. Please advise. I found a really inexpensive package with expedia with the Albergo Reiter hotel at the Lido. Has anybody stayed at this hotel? Any advise at staying at the Lido at this time of the year?

I advise againsty staying on the Lido - - especially for first time visitors to Venice. Just misses an essential flavor of venice, and inherently you lose the two best hours of the day ON Venice proper: the last hour before you go to bed, and the first hour as soon as you wake up. I specifically urge you go out for a walk to see Venice "wake up" - - before you've had your shower, before you've had your breakfast - - you can return to your room to those things after that early morning stroll which can be priceless.<BR><BR>Just ain't the same to do this, staying on Lido.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR><BR>Oh, and as for your plans - - if a week "off" means depart Friday after work, and return the following Sunday - - then that's 8 actual nights in Italy. You could visit all three cities. It's a little whirlwind, but not unthinkable.<BR>

I couldn't discourage anyone from going to Venice at any time, maybe cold and rainy but maybe not if you're lucky.<BR>On the other hand, Rome is large and fabulous and certainly deserves a full week, or much more.<BR><BR>You could take Rex's advice (including not staying on the Lido) and try to please everyone: work in a day or 1.5 days in Milan to see the family (perhaps arrival day plus leave the following p.m.), go on to Venice by train, stay there a couple of days, and then on to Rome. Venice to Rome is a long train ride (4.5-5 hours I believe) so you might want to consider a one-hour flight. When I did it last year it was the equivalent of about $100 one way. I normally hesitate about advising people to rush around from city to city, but in this case I think it's a good plan.<BR><BR>I have files on Venice and Rome; if you'd like to see them, email me.

If you would like some good and cheap accommodation in Venice, please send me an email. Have a nice day !

Rex is right. Don't stay in Lido. When I went to Venice I stayed in Hotel Bonvechiati and liked it very much. It's a 3 star property but looks 4 stars, located in a small street just behind the Piazza de S. Marcus