accomodations Venice, Florence, Cinque Terre,and........

In Florence try the Relais Tiffany not far from the station: http://relais-tiffany-firenze.com/ It is within your budget and perfectly located. The rooms which look out onto the garden are worth the extra. Maybe someone else can help you out with Venice, Cinque terre etc...

In Vernazza ( CT region ( try: http://www.elisabettacarro.it/

Sundance,
try Residenza Casa San Marco in Venice. Affordable, quaint, small, great B&B. I think is was an old monastery or nunnery. http://www.residenzacasanmarco.com/ try the San Gallo Palace a B&B in Florence. Elegant, not too expensive, our best breadfast in Italy! http://www.sangallopalace.com/ Enjoy your trip.

Thanks you folks above and others on different threads; so far so good, booked a great place in Salzburg, this morning.
:)

Hi Sundance. Try B&B 3C in Venice. It's one of the top rated B&B's on Trip Advisor and their prices are extremely reasonable. It's in the San Marco area. You might also try Locanda Orseolo, also in the San Marco and it's the #1 rated B&B in Venice. Locanda Orseolo is more expensive than B&B 3C but you didn't mention what time of year you're traveling, but off season, their rates would definitely be in the range that you mentioned. For the CT, I prefer to stay in Monterosso because it's the largest of the 3 towns and there are more amenities (restaurants, etc.) and also because it's the flattest. We stayed in Hotel Margherita on our first trip and we liked it. It's new, modern and comfortable. We are staying in Hotel Pasquale on our upcoming trip so I don't have first hand experience but a lot of people suggest it and the reviews are favorable. Hotel Pasquale is definitely more expensive than H. Margherita but it's right on the water and all rooms have ocean views. Again, depending on what time of year you're traveling, their rates may fall into the range that you quoted.

sundance, I'd also suggest staying in Monterosso as it's the largest of the five towns and therefore has the greatest number of accommodation choices and other facilities, as well as the nicest sandy beach. When will this trip be taking place? Especially for the Cinque Terre, it's a good idea to book accommodations EARLY. Some places you could check there are Hotel Villa Steno, Hotel Pasquale or Villa Adriana. Where are you planning to stay on Lago di Como? It's a big area so you'll have to decide where you'll be staying. Varenna is the usual favourite with many here, and I'd also recommend that. If you decide to stay there, the group will be able to recommend accommodations. Pensione Guerratto is popular in Venice, but unless you book early, you may have trouble getting a vacancy there (RS tours also uses it, so it's a busy place). Happy travels!

I just stayed in those cities and can offer some recommendations. Venice -- we stayed in a B&B through Airbnb in the Dorsoduro area (which I found to be closer to the main attractions but not as congested): https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/325925 Cinque Terre -- this was one of the more expensive areas we stayed in, since there aren't as many options (it was probably closer to 200 euro but it's in great shape). We stayed at Hotel Colonnina in Monterosso (in the Rick Steves book). I agree with the previous comment that Monterosso was a better fit for us because there's more see/do (beach, restaurants, shops) and we were so glad we stayed there vs. the other towns. http://www.lacolonninacinqueterre.it/ Florence -- we also stayed in an Airbnb place near the Palazzo Vecchio. https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/355960

Cool. Thanks. I'll follow the ledes. :)