bashamj- thanks!

Yes, you can wait to buy tickets until you're in Italy, as zoecat has covered.

Have a fantastic trip!

Liz, thanks for a great report.

I stayed at the Daphne Inn two years ago with my mom and sisters... we all really liked it. They also sent us to Armando's and we all really, really loved it. We were celebrating my mom's 70th birthday, and the two brother-owners went out of their way to make it a special evening for my mom, and for all of us.

I'm going to Venice in 2 days with my husband to celebrate both of our 40th birthdays. Yay! Vini da Gigio is on my short list of restaurants, and it sounds like a good one from your description... I'll definitely try to book it.

Oh, my husband and I also fell in love with Aperol Spritz on one of our previous trips to Venice. I couldn't find Aperol in any liquor stores near us, but finally asked one of them if they could order it for me and they DID!! Now we can enjoy one whenever we like! You might try asking a liquor store to order it for you.

bookmarking

bookmarking Great report, thank you!

I haven't had time yet to read your entire posting ( I will), but a quick question. Would you think this kind of trip Florence, Venice, Tuscany area... work well if we were in the Tuscany area for lodging and then did day trips? I loved the cooking class section...would one need to be in the area to pull that off? And we were thinking of flying into Milan, not Rome.

great report...bookmarking

Also bookmarking. A lovely report! Since 2007, have you done more travelling? TD

Wow, great report!

Liz,

My husband and I will be in Venice Oct 1-3 this year and I think he would love a secret tour. Can you tell me more...how do you arrange, cost, is it worth it?

Thanks!

Liz,

Thanks again for this super report. DH & I are going to Florence, Tuscany & Venice in 2 weeks, and I'm still looking for restaurants in Venice.

Your recommendation for Vini Da Gigio sounds great. I visited the website, but it doesn't show pictures of the restaurant--just the food (which looks great). Is it possible to eat outside there, and could you tell a little about the atmosphere?

Same questions about the Antico Dolo--they show the food but not the restaurant. I'm looking for great food and a romantic atmosphere.

Thanks again for the great information--I'm going to look into that cooking class!

:-)

Hi Liz!

Thanks so much for your review! My husband and I (24 and 23) are planning a trip to the same locations for 10 days also in November 2008 for our 1 year wedding anniversary!

We've both never been to any part of Europe before but love to travel and hope to do a lot of travelling in our new life together! We're planning on going November 15-24 and was wondering if you have any advice? Should we fly into Venice or Rome first? Since we're both novices i have a lot of questions! Where did you book you hotels through? We're trying to stick to a budget of $3,000 for hotels, rail, and flights, and up to $1,500 for tours and food. Is that reasonable for a trip like this?

Your review made me even more excited to go!!

Thanks so much!

Wow, thanks for all of the comments!

TDudette- We sure have been traveling more! We've been back to Europe twice and to Asia once since this report. We were lucky to have very flexible work schedules along with two incomes and no kids. Our travel will be cut down dramatically now as I am finishing grad school and getting a full-time job!

AquaGirl- The Secret Tour is of the Doge's Palace. It's definitely worth it at around 15E per person. You can ask your hotel to arrange the tour for you. I did try to do it myself once on the internet (which is possible), but I screwed it up and had to have our hotel fix it anyway. Have a great trip!

cybertraveler-
Neither Vini da Gigio nor Osteria Antico Dolo has outdoor dining. Both are small (although the latter is smaller), family-owned restaurants. They are romantic in their own way, but I am not sure if they are what you're looking for. The food is delicious, local, and served by the owners. We loved both restaurants!

Tania_Jeremy-
I would probably fly into Rome and out of Venice. I think your budget is doable, but it could be tight (espeically in Venice, which is very expensive). I would spend 4 nights Rome, 3 nights Florence, 2 nights Venice. For a hotel in Rome, check out the Best B&B Pantheon (where my sister is staying on an upcoming trip). It looks great. I think you'll also find great rates at the Alloro in Florence. Venice could be a bit trickier, because the Locanda won't likely fit in your budget. Good luck planning! You'll have a great time no matter what.

I know this is an old thread, but its way too good to not bookmark for my upcoming trip. Thanks for the great info!

Am just seeing the date but brava, Liz! Wonderful report!

Did you go back? I saw that post but skipped down.

Ciao!

I am trying to find the website of Best B&B Pantheon in Rome and can't find it. I did read all the great reviews on tripadvisor, but if you could provide me their official website it would be great. Thanks! Bea

Finally found it.
http://www.bestbb.it/

Wow I can't believe this thread is still getting posts-- that's great! I hope you are finding it helpful.

beacau- my sister LOVED the Best B&B Pantheon. We plan on staying there on our next trip to Rome.

We have been back to Italy-- twice -- since this report. We stopped in Verona and Venice (staying again at the Locanda Orseolo) in January 2008, and we were in Praiano and Rome in July 2008 for my BIL's wedding.

We are going to Northern Italy in July and we just got confirmation that the Locanda has room for us during the Feast of Redentore-- can't wait!!

Bookmarking