Sleeping in Venice and Florence

I stayed at Hostel Archi Rossi about six years ago. It's a great place and you can easily walk to anywhere in Florence from there. And it's a pretty easy walk from the train station. The rooms were comfortable and there was a restaurant/cafeteria inside the hostel. I would definitely recommend it.

We got an apartment through the Hotel d'Art. It was a good deal for our family of five. I would call them again the next time I'm in town.

Get the RS book for Italy - it contains sections on both Venice and Florence, with recommendations on where to stay. If you don't want to buy the book, your beautiful library in Vancouver probably has a copy or two.

Try looking in www.venere.com. I used them to find Venice's Hotel Tivoli a few years ago. H. Tivoli has its own website. I liked it; it was inexpensive (for Venice) and breakfast was included--a real breakfast.

I agree with your staying in a hostel where practical.
My wife and I have stayed in many and always find it an exciting part of travel.

Meeting other independent travelers and exchanging experiences adds a lot to our adventure. I find it refreshing to avoid the commercialism of a hotel.

To read about a hostel in Venice. Go to Ostello di VENEZIA. http://www.hostelsclub.com/hostel-en-3622.

Check out Hotel Rossi Venice near train station BUT on quite side alley