I'm heading to Italy in a few weeks and plan to spend two days in Venice then train down to Rome for two days. This is my first trip overseas and was wondering how to book my train ticket and find good hotels in both cities. Can someone please give me some advice or recommendations on both?

I'm assuming you are flying into Venice and out of Rome, if not you may consider staying put (wherever you fly in and out of).

If you give a pricerange, you will get some useful suggestions for hotels.

Hi Dubs,

This should get you started:

The website for the Italian Rail company is http://www.trenitalia.it/en/index.html and a couple of reputable booking services are venere.com and eurocheapo.com. Also, check hotel reviews at tripadvisor.com.

Using the "search this forum" feature above will provide you with a wealth of helpful information.

Finding this forum is your perfect 1st step. Get Rick Steves or the fodors or frommers guide book to review areas/hotels (or use this site again). venice area called Dorsoduro was nice, not quite as busy and close to everything. You can get your train tix when you get to Venice or b4 you are ready to go to Rome. Much cheaper that way. Theres actually a travel agency right outside the main train terminal in Venice that is very helpful (i tended to get nervous buying in the stations with people rushing around). Ciao!

Hotels: www.venere.com

Best wishes,

Rex