emmas

Two friends and I are travelling to Italy and then on to Paris next Spring. Our flight arrives in venice and then 9 days later leaves Rome for Paris. We are staying 3 nights in Paris. Right now we are thinking 3 nights in Venice, 3 nights in Florence and 3 nights in Rome. We already have a hotel booked for three nights in Venice.

What's the best way to get into Venice from the airport? We are staying at a hotel with a water taxi stop, but from my understanding water taxis are expensive. We are on a budget.

Can anyone suggest any other towns we should stop by on our way to Florence and Rome? Right now we are thinking of taking the train from Venice to Florence to Rome. Any other ideas?

Also, we would appreciate any thoughts about mid-range hotels. We will probably book hotels in Florence in the next month. Right now we are looking at the Monna Lisa Hotel, Lorenzo Il Magnifico Hotel, Anglo American Hotel, the Pierre Hotel and the Degli Orafi Hotel. Any thoughts, recommendations?

We would also appreciate any recommendations for Rome and Paris.

MFNYC

I'm not familiar with those hotels in FLorence, but I can recommend Hotel Casci and I have read lots of good things about Hotel Europa. Both are moderatedly priced and get great reviews here and on tripadvisor.

This sounds like a very nice trip.

Steve_James

Emma - - There's a frequent bus shuttle between the airport and Piazzale Roma. Fare €3
For details:

http://www.atvo.it/eng/airport.php?l...id=0&var=v

Otherwise there's an hourly Alilaguna ferry service to Piazza San Marco. Fare €10. Here's the link:

http://www.alilaguna.it/?lang=en

Orvieto and Cortona are both en route between Florence and Rome and make nice stops.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Ericrico

It sounds like you have your minds made up - but I beg you to consider Lake Como. You will truly be blown away with the beauty and serenity. A wonderful place to stay with ALL the amenities is the Best Western Hotel Imperiale. This is NOT a Best Western hotel in the American sense - it is a luxurious resort (with extremely hospitable staff and accomodations). Here is a link - read what travellers have posted themselves. And, most of all, it is very reasonably priced.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...0625.cink_html
Definitely consider extending a couple of days to make Lake Como part of your trip - my wife and I spent almost a full month in Italy on our honeymoon - and we were most impressed with Lake Como. We also stayed in Venice, Florence, Rome, and Milan. Let me know if you want more info...

mamc

You have a good plan. I can respond to a couple of your questions. With only 3 days for Florence, Venice and Rome, I would not consider stopping anywhere else - it will be hard to hit more than the high spots in that time. Italy trains are very good and the best way to get between the cities.

From the airport, the least expensive way to reach Venice is the Alilaguna - a waterbus that stops several places in Venice. From the Alilaguna stop, probably the San Marco stop, you can get a Vaporetto to the stop nearest your hotel. Your hotel will be able to tell you the nearest Vaporetto stop.

As for hotels, it would be easier to advise you on options if you gave us a price range.

Have fun planning, Italy is marvelous.

Alet

Hi, I know the Anglo American & Pierre hotel. If you are travelling on a budget, you are actually looking at some expensive hotels. They are both 4 stars. Spring is high season for the hotels in the art cities in Italy, rates are more expensive and they can get very busy. Make sure you do not get there during a fair or a medical congress. There are some two stars hotels which are nice (at the least the last time a saw them) Bellettini & Duomo (centrally located). 3 stars you can try Basilea hotel, the owner has other 2 hotels the Ritz 4 stars - Lungarno e Pensione Pendini -Pzza della Repubblica. Porta Rossa htl is very nice.
In Rome you can try Napoleon Hotel - Pzza Vittorio Emanuele (the Square has had a facelift and it is now a very pleasant area). It is a 4 star and not too expensive. I am sure you will enjoy staying there. Roberto Cioce the manager will make you feel very welcome. Ambra Palace is a great hotel. The area is not wonderful (near the station V. Principe Amedeo) but the hotel is really nice .Near Termini you will find plenty of budget hotels. This area has improved a lot, so is not bad as many people may thing it is. Another hotel is Genova - Via Cavour - it is OK.
Take the water bus from Venice airport to mainland. On your way to Flr stop at Padova / Verona / Bologna. When in Florence go to San Geminiano or if you want a place off the beaten track go to Lucca (it is not on the way to Rome but is a very charming place), if you go there try the Buccellato (typical lucchese bread) at the Pasticceria Taddeucci the place that has created this type of bread.
Hope it helps. Enjoy your trip!

ira

Hi emmas,

You have a very good plan.

What's your hotel budget? Do you want a triple room?

emmas

We will be staying in a triple throughout. Our budget is about $200 per night for housing.