The Pensione Accademia is a lovely old villa with a beautiful garden in Dorsoduro--it used to be the Russian embassy. It is air-conditioned, romantic, elegant and fairly expensive but we love it (also where we spent our honeymoon). It is probably full up but worth trying and very much worth the splurge. I have heard great things about La Calcina though have not stayed there. It is in an excellent location on the Zattere, with a wonderful passeggiata populated by Venetians as well as tourists.

We loved Florence in the spring, and the food was among the best anywhere. I have not been to Venice yet but look forward to going in the near future. In any case, I would not want to be in either city in July or August if I had other choices. Your girlfriend would like Florence — lots of statues of very fit naked men. Seriously, I don't think you can go wrong with either one.

If La Calcina has availability, I think you'd like it. We couldn't get a room there, but we did eat a lovely lunch on their elegant outdoor patio, with a beautiful view across the Zattere. It looks like a very nice hotel, and is a good value.

La Serenissima!