My wife and I are celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary with a 2 week trip to Italy, starting with 2-3 days in Venice. We’re flying in Oct 10, arriving mid-day, and planning to travel to Florence from there likely on Oct 13 or 14. Any recommendations on places to see/things to do while there, plus places to stay would be appreciated – as would any other tips or tricks you could share.

As background, I’m a very young just-turned-50, and she is 39. We both want to bask in art and history, and our focus is really feeling like we are in Italy. We love good food and good wine (sometimes a little too much!), laughter, and people. We’re both physically fit, pretty hip & fashionable but still quite real, and want some good nightlife as well, so recommendations on dance, theater, and nightclubs – whether more mainstream or a little more out there - are definitely appreciated. We’re planning to walk everywhere, take tons of photos, and generally take a break from a very hectic business schedule.

In terms of accommodation we’ve got a fair bit of leeway in price, although when you get into the 300+ euro range we definitely flinch! We don’t like polyester bedspreads or hotels that could be in any city. It’s history and character we’re after! Having said that, reliable high speed internet access is mandatory, as are hot showers/baths and at least a moderate amount of room to move around. Balconies overlooking squares, thoroughfares, and canals are a serious bonus. I’m a light sleeper, but I guess I can use ear plugs ...

We know we’re leaving the planning late, but any help you could provide would be much appreciated!

TIA – R.

Hi R,

Look up Venice under "Destinations" and "Hotels".

This may help for accommodations. For what to do you really need to read a good guidebook:

Bob’s Favorite hotels in Venice

All are well located in Venice. Prices assume a standard double room.

SMALLER B&Bs: Prices will range from 100E to 220E and by season.

• www.locandabarbarigo.com Cute place in a great location

• www.corte1321.com Helpful hosts in San Polo area

• www.hotelgalleria.it Good prices near Accademia Bridge

• www.guesthouse.it Great value in Cannaregio area

BEST 3 STAR HOTELS: Prices will range from 140E to 300E by season

• www.locandaorseolo.com Great location and rave reviews

• www.lacalcina.com Popular hotel in Dorsoduro on Zattere

• www.cortegrimani.com Diverse 15 apt. options-good location

• www.pensioneaccademia.it A Venice standard on Gr. Canal

• www.cadeidogi.it Small hotel with good prices in Castello

NICER 4 STAR HOTELS: Prices from 250E to 500E and by season

* www.alponteantico.com Lovely new place on Grand Canal

* www.capisanihotel.it Boutique design hotel near Accademia

• www.liassidipalacehotel.com Very nice features in Castello

Note that the Hotel Al Ponte Antico is owned and run by the same family that owns Locanda Orseolo. It is a beautiful property and with Matteo managing it, it would be my first choice in Venice.

bookmarking

Thanks for the nice list, bob.

We really enjoyed the Bisanzio when we were there (it was a Best Western then, don't know about now). It's down an alley, walking distance from St. Mark's. We were not, however, in the main part of the hotel -- we were in the "apartment" part around the corner - we had a room downstairs with two beds and a bathroom and a loft upstairs with a queen bed and bathroom. Very modern Italian design.

In Venice we stayed at B & B Gli Angeli. It was beautifully run by Sonia - good English. The breakfast part were muffins, etc. in your kitchen (snacks in refrig when we arrived). She was lovely and showed us places in the neighborhood to eat and enjoy. Phone number: 041-523-0802. www.gliangeli.net or www.realvenice.it/gliangeli We were thrilled with it and would stay there on any return to Venice.

We spent our honeymoon at the Pensione Accademia, which used to be the Russian embassy. It is a beautiful old villa with a garden, a 2 minute walk from the Accademia museum and about 10-15 minutes from the Piazza San Marco. I can't recommend it more highly. Unfortunately, it may very well be full. A second reccomendation would be the Locanda San Trovaso, simpler, a bit more out of the way, but near the Zattere where Venetians take their evening walk and on a lovely quiet side canal.

Tanti auguri!

Things to do in Venice:
--If you are there on a Sunday, go to 9 o clock mass at San Marco and see the wonderful mosaics without the crowds and the church doing the job it was built for.
--Treat yourselves to a very special lunch or dinner at Da Fiore in San Polo (very expensive but well worth it)
--Arrive at the Accademia museum when it opens, go straight to the top floor and enjoy the magnificent Carpaccio story of St Ursula
--Take Vaporetto number one down the Grand Canal
--stroll through the side canals of Dosorduro
--Have a midmorning hot chocolate and crossaints on the Piazza San Marco at the Cafe Florian (inside). Have a glass of Prosecco there at dusk (outside)
--Take three days in Venice, not two; it's magical

Florence
--Residenza il Villino has nice rooms and is an excellent value. Il Principe is more expensive but right on the Arno. The Museo of San Lorenzo has wonderful Fra Angelico frescoes. The David is all that it's cracked up to be. The Masaccio frescoes in the Brancacci chapel are great.

Rooster99 -

The hotel I would recommend is the
Ca Maria Adele and it's situated at the Salute vaporetto stop.
It is one vaporetto stop across the Grande Canal to St. Marks Square.
Beautiful, quiet area in Dorsoduro and a 20 minute walk to Accadamia art/museum and closer to Peggy Guggenheim.
www.camariaadele.it

We were in Venice for 3 wonderful days in late August. It was our first....of hopefully many trips to come because we fell in love with Venice. Much of this was due in part to our gorgeous accommodations at the Hotel Baglioni. It is mere steps away from St Marks's square. Check out the website because many of the rooms are shown. This hotel is the oldest in Venice...and everything about it is FIRST RATE...service, location, decor, ammenties (candles lite by bed and bath every evening)...oh the memories!!!! Enjoy your trip..Ciao

Last November we stayed at a very nice small hotel, just steps from St Marks called Hotel Ala. It was very nice, fairly priced, had good rooms and bathrooms, and an excellent included breakfast. It is located on the same square as the outrageously overpriced Hotel Gritti Palace - Campo Santa Maria del Giglio. We had great canal views from our room.

We were very pleased with the Ca dei Conti.

We had lovely rooms overlooking a pretty litle canal.

http://www.cadeiconti.com/en/

Byrd

Hi Rooster99,

here is a map of venice with a list of accommodation:
http://www.allhome.eu/searchmap.php?...ezia&cat=0

www.lacalcina.com for Venice

Oops, sorry, older thread, Rooster has gone and come back by now.

Yes, Rooster, we would love to hear about your trip and where you stayed, if you are still reading this board. Hope you had a great anniversary.