After reading the numerous (and at times overwhelming) reviews for accomodations on fodors and tripadvisor, we have decided on the following:
Venice, 2 nights: Locanda Ca'Amadi 150E
Florence, 4 nights: Residenza dei Pucci 145E
Rome, 4 nights: Hotel Alimandi 150E

The Florence B&B has not been confirmed--any other suggestions around the same price range? Constructive comments on any of these choices would be greatly appreciated. Also, how easy is it to rent a car for just one day in Florence?

Hotel Casci in Florence is great value (www.hotelcasci.com). You can also check tripadvisor for comments on all of these hotels.

<<Also, how easy is it to rent a car for just one day in Florence? >>

Maybe not so much difficult as disappointingly UNaffordable. Often costs the same to rent for three days as for one day.

I used to recommend the Rail'n'Drive option from www.raileurope.com (even though I am not generally a fan of purchasing from them) - - but it seems high now also. It does NOT carry much of a premium for an automatic, if you have to have that. But since you only have these two modestly priced train trips, it is not really a good bargain for you either ($275 per person for automatic - - two days -- and four days second class rail).

Best wishes,

Rex

You might try Tourist House Ghiberti (touristhouseghiberti.com) located one block behind the Duomo. Rooms are spacious and have lots of modern conveniences (including high speed internet PCs), there is a sauna and a whirlpool, and breakfasts are ample. In addition to several threads here, there are reviews on both trip advisor and venere.

Hotel Alimandi: Loved it. If you want to explore the Vatican, its proximity is wonderful!! Street is relatively quiet. Even if you want to focus on other areas (Colosseum, Forum, etc.) the hotel is 4 blocks from subway and 2 blocks from bus stops. We had a quad and were not crowded. Breakfast buffet was fantastically well-stocked.

No need for a car if you want to explore Florence itself. Buses take you everywhere within the city.

Will warn you: Although not as bad as Rome, driving in Florence is NOT for the faint of heart (2 out of our 3 drivers chose to NOT repeat the experience for a second day of driving). Buy a VERY detailed map of Florence and study your routes at your leisure, before you leave for Italy. Make sure your maps have the roads you'll use to reach your destination.

If you want to explore wine country/southern Tuscany and REALLY want to rent a car, I would not stay north of the city. Stay south or in the outskirts (near the A-1 or A-11) to avoid driving through Florence.

My best piece of advice: Pick a day trip that is do-able by train if you don't have a "nerves of steel" driver and dedicated navigator.

There is a FANTASTIC Best Western Hotel in Venice about 1 block off of St Mark's square. We were amazed at how nice it was. It has Meranno glass chandeliers in the rooms, beautiful bed spreads, full marble baths - all for about $125 per night.
It was the best hotel on our entire trip. Our normal US hotel hotel comparison would be a full scale Marriott.
The location was great, the room was better than any room I have ever stayed in outside the US and the price was great.
Hope you enjoy.

Best Western Montecarlo is the hotel name. These are the numbers I had in my travel records.
tel 041 5207144
fax 041 5207789