Hello fodorites,
This is my first time logging on to this chat room. It's quite addicting. I have a few questions for our trip in March or early April. Will be visiting venice, florence and rome (3nts each) in the exact order.
1. I'm constantly looking for better airfares to italy departing from SFO. We prefer to arrive in Venice and depart out of Rome. The lowest fare I've gotten is around mid $600s to $700s, should I go ahead and confirm this now or should I be expecting lower fares in the next month or so?
2. Can anyone suggest an affordable but decent B&B or hotel in Venice or Florence under $200? We've picked daphne inn veneto for our accomodations in Rome. Have not confirmed it yet though. This was highly suggested by other fodorites and looks like a good bargain.
3. Is it necessary to purchase train/rail tickets now or should I just purchase them when we get there in march or early april?

I'll probably have more questions along the way. =) I appreciate all the suggestions or recommendations you may have.

Happy Travels,
Barbie

you should report, with the heading mentioning Italy.

Check our Hotel Casci in FLorence. That sounds like a decent airfare.

WOW those fares are fantastic!! I am in the northeast and fares from my airport are nowhere near that for March departures to FCO. What exacly are you waiting for?!

I meant to say "you should repost", not report.

I don't fly out of SFO, but airfares have been quite high this past year so I think $600-$700 sounds like a very reasonable price. If you can afford it, and like the flight itinerary, I would go ahead and book it.

I haven't been to Venice yet, but we stayed at the Hotel Centrale in Florence. Its in a great location, near the Basilica di San Lorenzo; very near the Duomo and about a 10 minute walk from the train station. The room itself was very large and fairly basic. The price falls well below your price range. http://www.hotelcentralefirenze.it/s...camere_eng.php.

Tracy

Thanks everyone. I should get on it and make my airline reservations real soon. I should check out the hotels too.