We just returned from two weeks in Italy, where we stayed in Venice, Florence and Rome and took a day trip to the Dolomites Mountains. While I was there I took a lot of notes about things I observed - restaurant reviews, where photography was allowed, what sites were undergoing construction, etc. etc. There was way too much info to post here so I put my notes on webpages, along with photographs from the trip. I think this information will be helpful to people who are traveling to these cities in the next few months as an addendum to the wealth of knowledge posted here.

You can view the trip notes and photos at http://www.websiteauthor.com/photographs/italy/

Sibelius_s, your website is fabulous. I gleaned a great amount of information that will help me plan our October trip to Rome and Florence. Thank you so much for sharing your insights and experiences with us.

You are a legend! This is a fantastic amount of work, and I will find it so helpful. We are off to these areas at Christmas, landing in Rome on Boxing Day. Thank you for taking the time to put this up for us.
Cheers!

Wonderful stuff !
I love your format and you are so talented with the camera.

Just in time...our family is taking our innaugural trip to Venice next week. I thoroughly enjoyed your pictures!!! Thanks for taking the time to share, and they provided me with a great deal of insight...especially the "high tide" comments. LOL Grazie...from a Texan in anticipation...

Thanks for all the photography tips. enjoyed the rest of the report as well.

WOW. Thank you so much for the time and effort. We leave Sept 20th and visit the same cities in your report. Your trip report will now become required reading for my wife and the other friends we are traveling with. Thanks again.

Bookmarking for my Sept trip to Rome - thanks!

Great, I'm glad you're finding it helpful!

Your pictures are, by far, the best I have ever seen! So many of them; each wonderful. What an eye you have! Are you a professional photographer? I especially enjoyed what I consider to be my personal gondola ride. I felt every corner you went around; saw every decaying (and most beautiful) building. Also, there were views of the Bridge of Sighs I have never seen. Thank you for sharing. I thought I took a lot of pictures when in Venice last year (I took 995). That is nothing compared to what you did. Thank you for a delightful experience.

Wow, I am impressed. Still going through your website; it's great! Thank you for sharing it.

Great job on your web site. I'm enjoying your pictures and reports as I am currently planning a trip for next May. There will be 4 adult couples.

I'm very interested in the Dolomites drive.

Thanks for sharing. I just might email you with a question or two.

Wow, have you done a lot of work for me! We'll be in Venice, Florence and Rome in late October/early November and I'm taking your report with us!

Great job on the web site and thank you!

Wonderful! Sibelius I am in awe - what a great way to remember and share your trip (and very helpful as well).

A lack of seating.....and I thought my wife and I were the only ones to notice this in Venice (and Florence)-lol!

Thank you for posting all of your hard work.

Naxos

Holy Moly!

Tremendous Information!! Those that are heading to those area's will benefit greatly from your expert, detailed information!

Great Job!

Great report. Thanks for posting.

Such a complete report with so much useful information for both newbies and repeat visitors!

For anyone planning to visit Florence soon and wanting to see beautiful works of inlaid stone and semi-precious gems like those presently behind scaffolding at the Medici Chapels (mentioned by Sibelius), I highly recommend the small museum Opificio delle Pietre Dure near the Accademia.

http://www.theflorentine.net/article...ssuetocId=1894

Sibelius, if you haven't been to this museum, put it on your list for your next trip to Florence. It's just amazing.

Thank you for your great Venice pictures...I'll be going back to your site to see the other areas as well, but I love,love, love Venice and your shots brought that wonderful city to life!

I miss it so much!

I am amazed! How much time did you spend on your website, it is packed with info and pictures!

You are amazing, I thought I took so many pictures and took so many notes.

I hope everyone appreciates how much time you have put into your website, I have it bookmarked in my favorites. I hope you will add more of your future travels and will let us know...not that I won't be returning to your website on a regular basis.

I bow to you!

Wow, thanks for all the great replies! Let me answer the various questions here in one post . . .

I'm an information manager for a construction company, so I do a lot of writing, web design and photography in my job - but I'm not a professional photographer.

YMark, the Dolomites trip is awesome even though it's pricey. Let me know if you have any questions.

Jean, I'll check that site out - the Medici Chapel was my favorite place in Florence on my first trip so anything along those lines would be wonderful for our next one.

lyb - I took notes throughout the trip almost every day, and then expanded them when I got back. Creating the pages was actually very quick; what took the most time was going through 5,000 photos and processing the ones I decided to keep. THAT took time. LOL I really appreciate your thoughts and I'm glad you bookmarked it. When I get some time I may set up a separate domain and use it for hosting the information on Italy, as well as pictures from other trips I've done.

Thanks again to all - please post any questions on this thread about what I wrote, and I'll be happy to respond.