<< I realized I had the wrong departure date in my mind! We actually have ten nights -- so 5 & 5!!!>>

Nice!

songdoc - that's the sort of mistake to make. Much better than the other way round!

Because I'm sure you've all just been waiting to hear what I decided ...

I booked the Hotel Giorgione in Venice and Casci in Florence.

The clerk at the Casci offered to book us tours or reserve tix for the Uffizi and Accademia. We went for the guided tours.

I'm glad the logistics are almost all dealt with. Now ... flights from Belfast to Venice (and there are no non-stops). Day trips will be booked pending weather.

Also ... I sent each of the hotels an email to be sure they were comfortable with us being a male couple celebrating our 20th anniversary. They both sent very kind replies letting us know that we will be welcome there.

Thanks to everyone for your help!

Songdoc, so glad you got "good news" (I knew you would), but I am saddened in this day and age that you even had to think about asking if it was alright to celebrate the mutual love of two human beings.

I know you'll have a wonderful time! Cheers and congrats to you and your partner!

sarge--Thanks for the very kind words. There have already been changes I never thought I'd see in my lifetime--and no doubt, more will be coming!

Our family of 10 stayed at the Hotel Casci in 2006. Italy won the FIFA World Cup, and the Italians celebrating on Via Cavour was loud and went into the early morning hours.

Our family had four rooms, and no one ever heard the noise outside. We watched everyone walking down the street, driving in the cars having a great time. When we closed the windows and the interior shutters the rooms were quiet.

Everyone needs their sleep. The Lombardi family operates a fine family hotel. That's my two cents.

songdoc, i think we're all pleased that your chosen hotels are so "accommodating"! that's nice to hear, particularly as not too far away from here, we had the notorious case where sadly a gay couple were not made welcome.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...-business.html

so i can certainly understand why you wanted to ask, though it's sad that you still have to.

have a wonderful trip.

annhig--in addition to that episode (which I'd read about), I read an article online a few days ago about a male couple who were refused a vacation at a timeshare in Las Vegas.

Yes, it is sad that I have to ask--but I'd rather be comfortable than stay someplace that would rather not host me.

I_am_kane -- that's quite an endorsement!

This forum is awesome. I never would have found that hotel without your advice! I hope to soon join the legions of Hotel Casci fans ;-).

Songdoc, I'd like to give you a tip if you plan on visiting the small town of Fiesole (maybe for dinner one night). It's a short (5 min.) walk out of the Hotel Casci on Via Cavour to Piazza San Marco. In the piazza there is a tabacchi where you can buy a bus ticket to board Bus #7 that will in 20 min.+/- take you to the center of Fiesole (Piazza Mino).

Be sure to be at Bar Blu (Piazza Mino) by the time the LAST bus leaves (maybe 9 p.m.) or else you're stuck with paying for a taxi cab ride back to Florence. Fiesole is small and charming.

further to what i_am_kane has said about Fiesole, if you go during the day there is a nice walk up to the Monastery of San Francesco which has some very weird stuff in its basement museum, all collected by the monks on their world travels. on the way back you should visit the Basilica and the roman amphitheatre; there is also a museum but we passed on that.

the restaurant in the middle of the town with the tables under the trees is good - quite a lot of local tradesmen were eating there when we were which is always a good sign. There is also a bar overlooking Florence which is supposed to be nice at sunset but as we were there in the day we didn't bother.

When you get back into Florence, on the corner of the Piazza di San Marco and via Cavour, there is a very good cafe with waitresses with the most amazing hats. nice food too.

Thanks so much for that tip! DP likes weird stuff. His favorite thing in Paris was the catacombs (which I admit were pretty amazing!)

no spoilers then songdoc, but the monastery in Fiesole sounds like it's just your DP's cup of tea.