Will you be in Venice during an eating outside season? Last month we ate delicious seafood at a table on the pontoon at Algiubagio on Fondamente Nove. Wonderful service, a fabulous view and quirky Murano waterglasses.

Ditto to what kfusto said on restaurants. For me, Florence - as much as I appreciate it as an art city - is not romantic at all, but again, as kfusto said, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. However, a comment that tells nothing about Venice but only something on Steve's knowledge of that city is that Venice be "small so there's not a whole lot to see". That's just plain wrong. It's relatively small, yes, but it's one of the richest cities in art and architecture all over the world. Steve, did you see, to mention but a few, S. Nicolò dei Mendicoli, the Scuola di S. Fantin, the Fondazione Cini (ex-monastery of S. Giorgio), Carlo Scarpa's entrance to the IUAV, S. Sebastiano, S. Simon Grando, S. Zuane Degolà, S. Giacomo dall'Orio, the Scuola di S. Giorgio degli Schiavoni, the crypt of S. Marco, Palazzo Grimani a S. Maria Formosa, the Ospedaletto, the Oratorio dei Crociferi, Le Zitelle, or the Lazzaretto Nuovo? If not, then how did you arrive at your judgment? (And I could go on and on, listing dozens of sights you'll very probably have never heard of.)

On our visit last month to Venice, our sixth, we were there a week and thought we could see all the sites we hadn't got around to previously - not nearly enough time.

Best out of the way "new" places were San Francesco della Vigna and the Fondazione Cini, both with Palladian elements and very quiet at the height of the tourist season.

I wanted to second (or third I think) the water taxi. We rented our own water taxi in 2006 and took it from the airport to within a block of our hotel. It was a really neat way to arrive. We came in rather late so we were the only ones on the water.

If you are still looking for a hotel it might be worth finding one where the water taxi could take you right to the front (or back) door. That would be a memorable arrival.

still having problems nailing down great accomadations in Venice and Rome. Most of the recommendation on this tag for Venice are booked up and Rome difficult to find a great place in a good area... any suggestions ?

Have you tried looking at the hotel reviews on tripadvisor.com?

I stayed at the Hilton Molino Stuckey in Venice and the Marriott Grand Flora in Rome using points at both hotels. I was upgraded to suites at both locations.

The Venice Hilton has a very good Exec lounge with very good complimentary food, wine, etc. Also, received two large bottles of Bellinis as my 'welcome' gift.

Grand Flora gave me a bottle of wine and fruit plate upon my arrival.

The Locanda Orseolo is a fantastic hotel. We were there in Oct. two years ago. They recommended several great places to eat. We had wonderful weather. Also, flew out of Venice to Rome and took the water taxi right from the hotel window. So easy. You can google it. The breakfast was wonderful too.

We stayed at the Loggia de Serviti in Florence. I would recommend it to..Ask for Room No. 19. It is a corner room. Beautiful large room with a great view!

What a great trip!

Unfortunately Locanda Orseolo is likely to be booked; if available they will treat you wonderfully; some people we know stayed there recently and I was able to email ahead and ask them to have a bottle of Prosecco chilling in the room on their arrival, in addition to the usual wonderful service. I've referred about 10 people there and every one of them loved it.

I'm heading to Venice for the 7th or 8th time and have barely made a dent in Franco's list above. I do admit food is better elsewhere in Italy, though I've had some very good meals there. Even near San Marco, i.e., Enoteca San Marco, we've had some good dinners.

There was an enjoyable article a while back about "Florence People and Venice People." I'm not finding it in Google; I think I will review my old travel magazines and try to find it.

ONe more thought, have you checked the Bauer in Venice? They definitely have a water taxi entrance. Probably hideously expensive but gorgeous with a reputation for fine service. Sometimes they do have deals.

I've stayed at the Luna Baglioni and the Westin Europa & Regina. Both are on the Grand Canal, and I would recommend both. The Baglioni is a little closer to Piazza San Marco, and the E&R is across from Santa Maria della Salute. On my next visits I'm planning to try the Danieli (next September) and the Gritti Palace, also both on the Grand Canal.