Speaking of Italy...

monkeysip

FI and I want to go to Italy for our HM, and since we're almost at the 8 month mark, we want to start ironing out the details soon.

What I'd really love help with is accomodations.

It's so hard to find nice but reasonably priced hotels just by surfing the internet.  And you really can't trust the star system. 

Here's the cities we're going to and what we're looking for:

Capri--this will be our nicest hotel.  And I know Capri is pricey.  We'd like to keep it around $250-300 a night (for three nights).  We really want to find something with a sea view for that amount.

Florence and Venice--we don't mind something a little less nice.  Maybe $150-200 a night. (We're spending 2 nights in F and 1 night in V).  It doesn't have to have a good view, but we'd prefer a more central location.  We'd like to be able to walk to main attractions (you know, like a 20 minute walk)

Rome--we're staying here for over a week, so we'd like an apartment.  We're hoping to go cheaper here--doesn't have to be glamorous, just decent apartment and good location.  We're *hoping* to find something more along the lines of $100 a night.  I don't know how reasonable that is.

If anyone has been to any of these places and has a recommendation, OR if you know of a good general website for finding vacation apartments in other countries, I would LOVE it.

Also, just a general question, when do you think we should book hotels?  Some of the hotels I've checked show that they're unavailable for our dates (next june), but I'm guessing that it's just too early to book.

TIA for any info.

monkeysip

Thanks, I've heard good things about Steves!

alithebride

R. Steves books are great. they're excellent for itinerary ideas. we've eaten at a ton of the restaurants listed in them too and they're always right on with what he writes.

In florence I've stayed at the Grand Cavour Hotel twice. It's a 2 minute walk to the duomo, 5to santa croce, 4 to piazza della signorina, 5 to the arno. great GREAT location and since you'll be there in the nice weather the roof top wine bar will be open. spectacular views!! it's reasonably priced, very clean and the employees are super helpful.  here's the TA link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187895-d195406-Reviews-Grand_Hotel_Cavour-Florence_Tuscany.html

if it were me i'd reduce the week in rome and instead do 2 nights in tuscany (not in florence). keep the nights in florence but add 2 in siena maybe/ siena's a GREAT small city.
then do 5 nights in rome and the 1 night in venice and the same in amalfi.

for rome i've not stayed in an apartment but if you get one close to the subway you can get around easily.

monkeysip

Thanks, Ali!  I'll check out the Florence hotel.

I should've added that I spent a month in Italy in college.  I LOVED Rome, and I really want to spend at least a week there because I want to be able to enjoy it leisurely.  Every other city we'll be quickly going through, but I want to be able to just "live" in Rome for 8 or so days.

I'd love to add more cities (I went to Assisi back in college, and would love to go back), but there's just not enough time or money.  It's so hard to narrow down to particular cities, but I think I've made my best choice with Capri-Florence-Venice-Rome.  Especially considering my FI's interests too.  He's an artist, and I can't wait to take him to all the museums.

Maybe one day we can visit more.

alithebride

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_speaking-of-italy?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:11Discussion:b1d3dfcf-a042-4a9b-ad91-a148f1762075Post:8d5112b8-3a6b-47f7-ae31-29bf895482df">Re: Speaking of Italy...</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks, Ali!  I'll check out the Florence hotel. I should've added that I spent a month in Italy in college.  I LOVED Rome, and I really want to spend at least a week there because I want to be able to enjoy it leisurely.  Every other city we'll be quickly going through, but I want to be able to just "live" in Rome for 8 or so days. I'd love to add more cities (I went to Assisi back in college, and would love to go back), but there's just not enough time or money.  It's so hard to narrow down to particular cities, but I think I've made my best choice with Capri-Florence-Venice-Rome.  Especially considering my FI's interests too.  He's an artist, and I can't wait to take him to all the museums. Maybe one day we can visit more.
Posted by monkeysip[/QUOTE]

if that's the case I suggest the extra day in florence-dont miss the bargello museum. it's literally across the street from that hotel and is an excellent small museum.