My husband and I are taking our first trip to Europe in June for about 1 month. We'll plan to be in Italy for around 12 days, going to Venice, Florence and Rome. Recommendations on hotels to stay in (not too spendy)?? And any must-see site recommendations would be much appreciated, since I know we cant see it all!
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
It really depends on your budget. Without knowing what you want to spend it's difficult to make sensible recommendations but for Rome you can try the Hotel Smeraldo or the Albergo Cesari.
As for what to see, that is really up to you. You need to get a guide book or two and really decide what's important to you. You only have a few days in each city so the sites you choose should be important to you, not just something that's been put on a list.
An example is Harry's bar in Venice. My Father in Law insisted that my husband and I visit it and get a bellini. We did and walked away scratching our heads. We understand the history of the place but it held no interest for us. To me it was time wasted.
This is why it's so important to read up on the sites and choose what you like.
Donna
Posted by
OP
Portland, OR
30 posts
I'd prefer to spend less than 100 euro/night if possible. I don't need a fancy hotel by any means, mostly looking for good location, safe, and wont give me bed bugs!
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16238 posts
Go to www.venere.com
Enter the city and dates.
Then enter the range amount you are willing to spend.
Given your budget, select $100-$150 (which is Euro 70-110), you won't find many decent places below that range in those cities.
For Rome the best (closer to the sights) areas are:
Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Trastevere, Via Veneto, Vatican-Prati.
Termini Station and Repubblica-Via Nazionale offer easy access to the center (via the Metropolitana Subway) and are cheaper.
I don’t care for the Colosseum area. The other areas mentioned are too far from the tourist sites.
For Venice anything is good and walking distance from everything, except Giudecca, Malamocco, Murano, Venice Lido and also Sant’Elena.,
Florence. Everywhere is good and a short walking distance from everything, except: Campo di Marte, Cascine, Fortezza da basso, Piazzale Michelangelo, Ricorboli, Lungarno.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11852 posts
Cross-Pollinate has budget options in all three cities. Mostly apartments and B&Bs, which are the best option, IMHO, for staying under €100 per night, which is my target.