Three of us are going to Italy from about the 28th of June through the third or fourth of July. We want to hit all three cities for a couple days each. We don't plan on organized tours, just walking and getting lost a lot. Any suggestions on inexpensive hotels and restaurants? Thank you! <BR> <BR>Jessica

We use the Al Gambero hotel when in Venice. Good location between St Marks and Rialto. Clean updated rooms. Reasonable rates. Located on Calle dei Fabbri.

Another enthusiastic thumbs up for Al Gambero! I picked it because of the price, and wasn't expecting much - and wow, was I surprised! The hotel is great, the location is great, the owner is a sweetheart. Plus, the restaurant downstairs has delicious food and it's owned by the owner of the hotel, so hotel guests get a discount. I'd definitely reccommend it. KK

I got so excited about Al Gambero, I forgot about the other two cities. In Rome, "Elide" (V.Firenze 50, 06/4741367-4883977) is decent. Nothing in the budget range compares to Al Gambero (IMO) but Elide provides decent sized rooms with private bath and breakfast for a reasonable price. And the location is pretty central - walking distance to the Colisseum and close to metro. As for Florence, I stayed at Albergo Centrale - also had large rooms with private baths at a reasonable price. The bathrooms were kinda nasty, though. But it wasn't terrible for the price and the breakfast is good. KK

How do I find out more about Al Gambero? Prices and how reach them (I'm just starting to plan a trip in September to Venice, Rome, and Florence.)

We stayed at the Montreal in Rome, 4 blocks from the Stazione Termini and 1 from Santa Maria church, nice clean and newly decorated rooms. In Florence we stayed at the Arielle, large classical room a little cold in winter but very nice, walking distance from the heart of the city (about ten blocks). Many nice places to eat, we loved a little place close to the Palazzo vecchio (old palace), just wander around and check the menu's posted at the doors of the Trattorias. We stayed overnight in Venice at Lido but it must be expensive in summer (was very affordable in winter) and it's not a good idea since you need at least 30 minutes in the vaporetto to get to the city.

Can't help with Rome. These spots may work for you though. <BR> <BR> I stayed at a small hotel in the center of <BR> Florence that I really liked; it has a roof-top garden <BR> which overlooks the Duomo; it is probably three blocks <BR> away from the Academia (if I remember). I've booked <BR> rooms again for this summer—170,000 lire for two, <BR> bathroom in room, breakfast included. <BR> <BR> Hotel Medici <BR> web: www.promhotels.it/home/medici <BR> <BR> In Venice, things are more expensive; I've never stayed <BR> here, but I've booked a hotel which was recommended <BR> on a Rick Steves graffiti board. 250,000 lire for two, <BR> breakfast included, near San Marco. <BR> <BR> Hotel San Moise <BR> web: www.sanmoise.it

How to reach Al Gambero: I can't find the phone number of the hotel, but I do have the restaurant phone number. As they have they hav ethe same owner, I'm sure you can get hotel info by calling the restaurant. 041/5236651. <BR>KK

Martin & Jessica: <BR>AL GAMBERO: Calle Fabbri 4687. <BR>Tel: 041-5224384/5201420. <BR>Fax: 041-5200431. <BR>E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] (27 rms., 15 w/toilet & bath or shower.) 100,000-180,000L (51-92E) single; 155,000-225,000L (79-115E) double; 209,000-303,000L (107-155E) triple; 258,000-377,000L (132-193E) quad. Children under 2 free. Buffet breakfast (7:45-9:30am) is included in the rates & cannot be deducted. Visa, MC. English spoken, direct-dial phone, recently renovated hotel w/rms. that vary in comfort from basic to fully equipped, #204 is nicely furnished rm. w/bathroom, TV, a/c, minibar & view of canal, there are 14 rms. that are identical to #204, #43 is a wonderful simply furnished bright rm. w/minibar, bathroom & 2 windows, #43, 45, 46, 47 & 48 all have a view of the canal but not all have bathrooms, #203 has a balcony, #401 has a terrace, if you get a room facing the street be aware that it is over a restaurant and you may smell fish, 1 rm. has handicapped access, double-paned windows, central heating, air-conditioned, bar, restaurant (discount if you eat there), no elevator, 4 flrs. Owned/managed by Sandro Rossi. Vaporetto: Rialto. Walk right along the canal, cross over the small footbridge, turn left turn onto Calle Fabbri. Hotel is on the right about 5 blocks up. <BR> <BR>

This hotel posted by K.K. is south of Termini <BR>ELIDE: Via Firenze 50, 1st fl. 00184. Tel: 06-4741367/4883977. Fax: 06-48904318. (12 rms., 7 w/toilet & bath or shower.) 95,000-125,000L (50-64E) single (no toilets); 105,000-165,000L (54-85E) double. Call for triple rates. Breakfast (7:30-10:30am) is included in the rates & can be served in the room (4,500 extra pp) but can be deducted to reduce room price.Visa, MC, AX, DC. Limited English spoken (Enzo & Giuseppe), direct-dial phone, 18th-century basic hotel w/simply furnished rms., #18 (shower only), 16 & 15 have 18th-century ceilings, #18 & 24 are the best rms., 4 rms. have showers only, elevators, 2 flrs. Metro: Repubblica. From Termini train station, go diagonally left across Piazza Cinquecento (in front of station), turn left onto Via Viminale, take 2nd right to Via Firenze.