Use booking.com and enter your dates to find availability.

Here is an example for Monterosso:

http://www.booking.com/searchresults..._list_length=5

Oh my gosh you are so wonderful... Flight booked and hotel in lake como/Bellagio booked.... I'll be back! Ciao'

Trip bookings flowing along....thank you all for the guidance it yielded results....flight , hotels for Lake Como/Bellagio, and Florence done. Cinque Terre tight but backup in progress .
More questions:

1. Any personnel exp. or recs for this hotels my #1choice (locanda orseolo) for Venice was booked. tthis was provided by resource that has not stayed there.... Is this a good area to be located in to see venice?
(Continue researching for Rome and Sorrento)

? Venice- Ai More D’Oriente
http://www.morihotel.com/


2. Which town is Best 2nd choice backup option as base lodging to explore Italian Riviera (approx 3.5days d/t travel times) currently unable to get hotel in Monterosso Al Mare. I've been guided to Rapallo or Santa Margherita. I'm just not sure of the logistics re train travel coming from Lake Como via Milan. I have booked one that I can cancel in Rapallo and have another one as option still need to check out?????

Any experiences with these two?

*Hotel Italia e Lido Rapallo
www.italialido.com

*Santa Margherita – good area close to Portofino and Cinque Terra- Park Hotel Suisse apprx $160.00/noc.(again per my resource whom I believe has not stayed here)
http://www.parkhotelsuisseportofino.com/homepage.html


3. Any train travel experts? This was recommended to me.....by resource....remember I'm just the messenger, I have no experience with trains.....is this the option or not the option?
Quote:
"Also, I think rather than point to point train costs you will be better off with a rail pass. A Second class 7 day pass valid for 2 months is apprx $370.00."

My inter-Italy train travel consists :
Venice >Milan
Milan >Italian Riviera( not sure if Genoa or Pisa best choices)
Italian Riviera >Florence
Florence>Rome
Rome>Naples
I will use smaller train to get to/from Bellagio, as well as the Base for Italian Riviera into/out of to Florence. I will ferry to Sorrento from Naples.

Grazie!

For the CT, look in Levanto---the 6th village right next door.

For trains, input Venice direct to Monterosso---no need for other stops

For Venice--you are late---but here are several.

BOB’S FAVORITE HOTELS IN VENICE:

BEST MID-RANGE 3 STAR HOTELS: Prices will vary from 150 to 400E

• www.locandaorseolo.com Rave reviews near San Marco

• www.lacalcina.com Popular hotel in Dorsoduro on Zattere

• www.pensioneaccademia.it A Venice standard near Grand Canal

• www.cadeidogi.it Small hotel in Castello with decent prices

• www.cortegrimani.com Diverse family apts. in good location

• www.hotelflora.it/en/ Love this location and their garden

SMALL B&Bs: PRICES VARY FROM 100E TO 250E AND BY SEASON

• www.corte1321.com Helpful hosts in San Polo area

• www.alpontemocenigo.com/en/index.htm Popular hotel off-path

• www.guesthouse.it Great value in quiet neighborhood location


NICER 4 STAR HOTELS: prices range from 250 to 500E—vary by season
• www.ponteantico.com Lovely place at Rialto on Grand Canal

• www.capisanihotel.it/ Boutique hotel near Accademia Bridge

• http://www.liassidipalacehotel.com/ Lovely amenities in Castello


WILD CARD OPTIONS: Hotel & apartment options with good prices:

• http://www.aitagliapietra.com/ Well priced B&B in Castello

• http://www.palazzettodaschio.it/ Apts. in a real 16th century villa

• www.locanda-sanbarnaba.com/ Nice 3 star at Ca Rezzonico stop

"I will use smaller train to get to/from Bellagio..."

There is no train service to Bellagio. The closest station to Bellagio is Varenna-Esino on the eastern shore of the lake. Service to Varenna is on regular, regional trains that go all the way from Milan to Tirano at the border with Switzerland.

If you're going from Venice to Varenna, there are connections you could take to avoid going to Milan, but the overall journey would then be longer than if you just went to Milan to connect.

Don't believe the person who told you the train pass was cheaper than point-to-point tickets. Do the research yourself and add up the fares.

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...0080a3e90aRCRD

Thanks Bob and Jean !

I much prefer Santa Margherita Ligure to Rapallo.

I stayed at the Hotel Park Suisse many years ago. It was my first time in Italy and I thought the hotel was quaint and charming. My cousins and I had a large family room and I recall that we had a good time.

I have since read that it has become a bit more of a business hotel. I do recall reading some so-so reviews, but that was awhile ago. I would look it up on tripadvisor.com.

I would stay on the Amalfi Coast and I would stay on Capri. You can work out Pompeii and Naples Archaeology Musuem on the way to or from the AC.

>>>"Also, I think rather than point to point train costs you will be better off with a rail pass. A Second class 7 day pass valid for 2 months is apprx $370.00."<<<

You would have to crunch the numbers to see if a pass was economical. A pass does not include seat reservations (mandatory on the fast trains). That's another $13-$14 each leg. I don't see that a pass would save money by the time you add on seats. I also don't see the point in a 7 day pass when you've only listed 5 days of train rides. $370 ÷ 5 = $74 per day plus a seat of $13.50. That's 87.50 per day and some of your train days are only 15-20€ ($20-$27). Your most expensive train day (Florence/Rome or Rome/Naples) is only 43€ ($58) full fare walk-up price and two of your train days are only 20€ (Milan/CT, CT/Florence).

>>>I will use smaller train to get to/from Bellagio, as well as the Base for Italian Riviera into/out of to Florence.<<<

No clue what you mean or think you mean. Smaller train means nothing and base is a fare (full fare), not a train.

"Smaller train" probably refers to regionale trains or local trains systems. "Base" referred to a base hotel/city for explring an area, not to a train fare.

I also don't think a pass will be economical for ButteFlyTraveler's itinerary.

Just checkin back ....little challenged with hotel connection for Sorrento....busy time to travel but I already got that. Then Ischia... If anyone has a favorite "reco" would appreciate reading up on it. I genuinely appreciate all the little tips on travel,safety,coordinating,and things to know before you go. Also a special thanks to the train travel contributors for the feedback..useful info.:)