I am traveling to Italy in May of this year, arriving in Milan on 5//9 and departing Rome on 5/22, traveling solo. I will be in Venice on 5/11-5/14 and have some difficulty finding suitable reasonably priced lodging. Yesterday I wrote to the owner of Pensione Gerrato, one of Rick;s favorite hotels in Venice. I already knew they were full for my dates, but thought he might know of someplace who might help me. He recommended I contact the Hotel Ai Do Mori (http://www.hotelaidomori.com/2/) which I did, and I just received a response that they had two rooms that met my requirements. I wanted to first ask if anyone out there has stayed at this small hotel, or knows someone who has. Second, they say that their location is a mere 20 meters, only one block, from St. Mark's Square. Lastly, in looking over their web site I learned that on 5/12-13 the annual Festa della Sensa is taking place. Anyone been there for this? This is my first visit to Venice so I don't know if being that close to St. Mark's is a good or bad thing, or if the being there for the festival will enhance my Venice experience or detract from it. I should say that I had looked forward to spending more of my time seeing the back streets and islands around Venice and not so much in St. Mark's Square. My first two nights are in Milan where I fly into and after Venice are three nights in Florence. I do have some flexibility in going to Florence first and back tracking to Venice if I have to before finishing in Rome. I would appreciate your thoughts and/or suggestions on the above. If you know of a better hotel please let me know. Thanks.
Jim