Has anyone stayed at the Hotel Polo (Parioli area in Rome, close to Villa Borghese) or the Ai d'Mori Oriente (Canarregio/Jewish Ghetto area in Venice)? Traveling in October would like advise on hotels which are not "touristy".
We love the Hotel Mecurio in Venice. Near St. Marks but not on the main drag.
http://www.hotelmercurio.com/en/
On a two week trip a couple of years ago, this was the least expensive accomodation we had!!! And it included breakfast.