Hi, I've been poring over the RS guide for Italy and keep falling down rabbit holes, so my partner finally went to AAA to see if they could help us nail down some options/details for the first half of our trip, which includes 2-3 nights in Venice. (First half of the trip is Rome, Florence, & Venice; second half we'll be visiting smaller hill towns in Tuscany, including my grandmother's birthplace - Pescaglia. So my partner thinks it's wise to let AAA pick the three city hotels for us,and then focus our attention on the accommodations for the second week in smaller towns).
AAA's travel affiliate found for us the Hotel Olimpia, in the Santa Croce neighborhood. It's on a smaller canal just off the Rio Novo.
Has anyone in this forum stayed in the Santa Croce neighborhood? It seems a little far from the main sights (which might mean it's quieter) but a little close to the train station (which might make for arrival/departure ease but I'm looking for character, too). We'll be there in late September, so I realize options might be slim at this point. Thanks so much for any helpful thoughts!