I made it back home to Paris today. I’m on a high from Alt Summit and will try to post some highlights from the week tomorrow. As soon as I got back I emptied my suitcase and started packing for a little trip to Pisa, Florence and Venice. Does anyone have hotel recommendations for Florence and Venice? I’m looking for something special, clean, that isn’t crazy expensive. I’m always grateful for food recommendations too!
photo from Urban Country 1st Dibs via Bonnie
Dominique
January 23, 2012
For the best quick bite in Florence, you HAVE to go to I Fratellini (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187895-d696584-Reviews-I_Fratellini-Florence_Tuscany.html). It is a small hole in the wall (literally) that has the most amazing sandwiches. The bread is fresh (re: still warm!), and so is the meat and cheese. You can order your sandwich exactly the way you like it (I had pecorino with prosciutto cotto– AMAZING!). It is located near a many of the important monuments, so it isn’t out of the way, but it is also a little hard to find. I highly recommend it!!
Tiffany Miller
January 23, 2012
If you have time, go the Osteria de Benci just off the Ponte Vecchio and try the Ribollita. It will change your life.
elizabeth
January 23, 2012
Hotel Albion http://www.hotelalbion.it/ENG/dove.php in Florence is just the loveliest little place in the world. It is run by a equally lovely family. My husband and I spent 10 days there and it was just perfect.
Kacie @ A Collection of Passions
January 23, 2012
That is hilarious and I LOVE it. Time for a trip to Pisa for me. 😉
Kacie
http://www.acollectionofpassions.com/
Colleen
January 23, 2012
In Florence, we LOVED Hotel Alessandra. http://www.hotelalessandra.com/
Really nice people, fantastic location (right next to the river), really beautiful rooms, and very reasonably priced. We felt super safe the whole time we were there, and the hotel clerk was one of the nicest people we met in Italy. You will love Venice! I can’t remember the name of our hotel but it wasn’t the greatest location so I don’t know if I could recommend. Be sure to do a lot of night walking. That was my favorite time of day there. Eat lots of gelato.
Lauren
January 23, 2012
I don’t know if you have checked out the Lungarno Suites yet. I am not sure that it is super affordable but it is such a stunning hotel. Years later I still think about when I stayed there. Love your blog! Wish I was going to Italy!
http://www.lungarnocollection.com/en/the-collection/florence/lungarno-suites/hotel-suites-in-florence
L
http://livehappyinspired.blogspot.com/
chandra ~ oh lovely day
January 23, 2012
Looks like you got a few hotel tips, so I’m giving you my two favorite places to eat in Florence (well, anywhere actually!) One is Trattoria Zaza: http://www.trattoriazaza.it/English/ I had the rigatoni sorrentina 4 times! They also have a delicious bean soup.
And Il Gato e La Volpe: http://www.paradoxplace.com/Food%20&%20Restaurants/Notes/firenze_restaurant_notes.htm#Il_Gatto_e_La_Volpe
They make their own balsamic on site. We bought 2 bottles when we were there on our honeymoon and almost cried when they were gone. So good!
Peg Bird
January 23, 2012
We always used http://www.venere.com to book travel, but never stayed in either Florence or Venice due to the close proximity of our living quarters… Never found spectacular food in Venice for a reasonable price…in Florence, you will find AMAZING food…please enjoy and take some photos for me!! I am missing Italy all the time.
Stephanie B.
January 23, 2012
So glad you asked this! I’m going to Italy (and Paris) for the first time in May. All of these responses are helping me plan my trip!
Amy
January 24, 2012
Seconding Grom for gelato in Florence. We stayed there for three nights this past spring and ate there every night after dinner. Their cioccolato fondente (dark chocolate) is to die for, goes very well with pistacchio or caramello al sale (salted caramel), or get it with the coconut for a Mounds-bar-like treat.
Annie H.
January 24, 2012
When are you leaving? Be aware…
Italy is currently experiencing a truckers strike. It is expected to last five days (Mon – Fri). Not only are they not delivering goods, in some areas, they are blocking highway exits. I live in Naples and nearly all the gas stations are closed/out of gas, the markets are not restocking produce/meat/dairy, there is no taxi service and the buses are running on a very limited schedule.
However, if you get to Florence, I recommend the Duomo. A lovely tour can be arranged for if you go to the Duomo museum (it’s behind the Duomo). I think we paid 14 Euro per person, but we had an English guide and got to walk a long the outside top of the building. The cost also included a trip to the top. It was definately worth it. Have fun!
Rachael
January 24, 2012
When we went to venice we just stayed at a campsite right across the river. there’s a ferry that goes there for like 16 bucks and the campsite is pretty cheap.
Jillian
January 24, 2012
Staying at a Monastery while in Italy is a great way to have a unique and relatively inexpensive accommodation. Here’s a website with Monasteries throughout Italy:
http://www.monasterystays.com
As for eating in Venice…stay away from anything near Piazza San Marco….it’s poor quality and overpriced. Walk towards the fish market and you’ll find many little eateries in that neighborhoods that are lovely and tasty.
Enjoy your vacation and prepare for cold temps at the moment!
jillianinitaly.wordpress.com
Hannah @ Sparrow + Spark!
January 24, 2012
Have the best time! I adore Italy. Florence is next on my list, so I am making a note of all these tips too- thanks everyone!
Briony
January 24, 2012
Hi Jordan,
I’m an American living in Como (a few hours away from Venice) and an absolute MUST restaurant in Venice is Zucca (Pumpkin.) It’s off the beaten track a little bit, which for Venice is really important when it comes to food! It’s a really charming, delicious and inexpensive gem. Otherwise in Venice just stay away from the places along the canal, they are overpriced and not very tasty. Buon viaggio!
Beatrice
January 24, 2012
I lived in Florence for a little while and some great food recommendations would have to be La Giostra in Via Borgo Pinti. It’s hidden away on a tiny street and is much much less touristy! They serve appetizers and sparkling Preseco on the house! It’s small inside, but it has the perfect atmosphere for a lovely dinner. My second would have to be Aqua al Due. The Bisteca Fiorentina with he blueberry sauce is the best piece of meat I think I’ve ever experienced! Ok and for my last place (I really could get carried away) I’d recommend Gusta Pizza, for a fun dine in or dine out restaurant to grab an amazing, traditional Italian pizza where you watch the chef toss the dough in the air and enjoy some Italian music streaming from the kitchen by the staff themselves. Ok ok just one more great place for lunch or dinner is Baldovino, near Santa Croce. This is somewhere I’d say would be more kid friendly and would be a great place for a family dinner. The menu is extensive and the waiters are always ready to give you an incredible recommendation.
I’ll also have to agree with the Il Latini and Za-Za recommendations of the others! ^^ Lived just a few steps away from Za-Za’s!
Hope you have a wonderful trip!
Mandorla
January 24, 2012
Hi Jordan,
As Briony says, ZUCCA in Venice is a MUST-restaurant. We love it and eat there every time we go back to Venice. We stayed in http://www.casangiorgio.com/ in Venice on summer 2010 and it was really nice, clean, really helpful and friendly staf (two sisters manage this wonderful old “locanda” turned into bed and breakfast)…a really charming place out of touristic madness but close to everything and near an authentic living-in-venice experience.
At Florence we stayed at http://www.hoteluniversoflorence.com/ good price with amazing views of Santa MAria Novella church.
Hope you have a wonderful trip!
Greetings from Spain.
Lorri
January 24, 2012
In Venice we stayed at the Hotel Panorama which is on the Lido. http://www.hpanorama.com/en/
It is right across the street from the vaporetto stop and really convenient for everything. I loved staying on the Lido – it is bit more quiet, I didn’t feel as crushed, and has a beach and a bunch of other amenities on the island itself. It only takes a few minutes to get to Venice proper, and I really enjoyed the trips back and forth. You can also rent bicycles and explore the island that way. The hotel was nice and comfortable, I’m sure you could find nicer but it was reasonable and had spectacular views and an excellent location.
Alex
January 24, 2012
Last time, i stayed in this small B&B http://www.lasignoriadifirenze.it/en/index.php, right next to the Chanel Store 😉 and the Piazza della Signoria.
We went to the small family restaurants, were you can eat as a local, can’t remember the names, but usually they’re the ones hidden, dark, and were you can only hear italian speaking… i think there are a couple of ones on the lonely planet guide (one of them was on the other side of the ponte vecchio).
Try the lampredotto sandwich, you can find this all over town. Drink the house wine, cheap and usually very good. Go to a wine tasting.
Go to Lucca, rent a bike or just walk.
The ice creams are amazing. There’s a gelateria on the other side of the road of Palazzo Pitti, were i became addicted to the banana flavor….
Sienna is also very beautiful, climb the tower, its hard but the views are breathtaking.
Venice, well… its from another world 🙂 you should get lost, like one reader already said.
Have a nice trip!
Jules
January 24, 2012
2 of my favorite cities! .I did a little post on both cities with ideas of where to stay. Traveling with kids can get expensive so we also try and find places not so expensive….and clean. Have a blast!
http://thetravelbugbites.blogspot.com/2012/01/trip-snapshot-florence.html
http://thetravelbugbites.blogspot.com/2011/10/trip-snap-shot-venice.html
Marta
January 24, 2012
Love that picture!
If you plan to rent a car in Florence this B&B is amazing: http://www.valdirose.com (but is ca. 20 minutes from the city center).
Have a wonderful time!
Nadia
January 24, 2012
Hi, i’m italian and I visited Florence twice with my boyfriend that lived there for a period in his life. I suggest to have a “Ribollita alla toscana” (here the recipe in italian: http://ricette.giallozafferano.it/Ribollita.html) and “Bistecca alla fiorentina” (that is a tipical slice of meat http://www.google.it/imgres?q=bistecca+fiorentina&um=1&hl=it&sa=N&tbm=isch&tbnid=-uZ7pIbZUTlXoM:&imgrefurl=http://www.investireoggi.it/forum/thread-ufficiale-degli-amanti-della-bistecca-fiorentina-vt63381.html&docid=KsPypSBp6FQRWM&imgurl=http://www.investireoggi.it/forum/attachments/life-good-cafe/114932d1305973029-thread-ufficiale-degli-amanti-della-bistecca-fiorentina-bistecca_fiorentina.jpg&w=1024&h=768&ei=U5AeT6fdOsPl4QS8p92SDw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=988&vpy=205&dur=499&hovh=191&hovw=254&tx=178&ty=78&sig=112449785863502970454&page=1&tbnh=157&tbnw=201&start=0&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0&biw=1280&bih=909) in this restaurant http://www.ristorante-lamartinicca.com/italiano/menu.php.
For the hotel I recommend you thi one: http://www.hotelambasciatori.net/
In Pisa there is nothing more than “Piazza dei Miracoli” to visit (with the tower, the cathedral and rest), I suggest you to stay less time in this city and maybe invest your days visiting the country between Pisa and Florence that is unique!
For Venice, I went there with a friend that own a camper because it’s veeeeery expensive so I haven’t much to tell you.. sorry!
Hope you’ll enjoy your trip to Italy! 🙂
Nadia
Kim Rehl
January 24, 2012
When I went to Venice, I stayed at the Hotel Rialto. It is right on the canal and the Rialto bridge. You might want to check it out. Have fun! Venice and Florence are amazing!
Adina
January 24, 2012
The Cibreo Trattoria (food as good as the restaurant, but at decent prices) was one of my most memorable food experiences in Italy:
http://www.edizioniteatrodelsalecibreofirenze.it/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&id=12&Itemid=2
Enjoy!
elissa :: ebb & flow
January 24, 2012
so jealous! hope you have an amazing time!
Christine
January 24, 2012
I am living in Italy with our 2 young girls so have been there done all of those with kids. We just stayed in Florence for 2 nights at Hotel Perseo,http://www.hotelperseo.it/. I highly recommend it as affordable, amazing location, very near train station, good breakfast and incredibly helpful receptionist in Laura. We stayed in the triple room with a double and a bunk bed for the kids. It was comfortable and had a bit of space for them to run back and forth. The bathroom is a good size, weird smell, but not overpowering. I have read the smell thing on several Florence hotel reviews. Ivowed not to return to Venice with our kids again! They were 4 and 1 when we went and we were avoiding hazards everywhere. Lots of carrying stroller over bridges and make sure no one went overboard on land and by bus. We did it and so can you. I have found it best on short stays with young kids to stay as close to the attractions as possible. Little people can only take so much on an urban vacation. Safe travels and enjoy.
Trina
January 24, 2012
Check out Airbnb.com for apartment rentals. Pietro’s apartments for rent in Venice are newly-renovated, very clean and great deals at $100 up per night!
Min
January 24, 2012
When you are in Venice go to La Zucca! Their Pumpkin flan and Gorgonzola Gnocchi are the best! http://www.lazucca.it/
Pam G
January 24, 2012
In Venice, try to get to the Cannaregio district. It’s totally off the tourist track and has wonderful restaurants. Some places don’t even have menus, as you just say what you feel like and they’ll make something that suits. (Can’t think of the restaurant names as I think we might have walked into someone’s house instead…) There’s also Lido which is a sandbar in Venice with a nice beach and great pedal cars to rent, plus, there’s a really fun arcade to play table football.
Marisa
January 24, 2012
Gelato at Vivoli in Florence is a must! Near Santa Croce. http://www.vivoli.it/
Kristina
January 24, 2012
I love how they cut that mat! So creative.
Lindsey
January 24, 2012
Three years ago I was an intern at the Peggy Guggenheim in Venice, and I lived in San Marco sestiere for a few months. Every Sunday at the museum is Kids Day from 3:00 til 4:30, and little ones can make art in the garden and go through the galleries with interns and members of the education department, learning about the artworks. I think it could be fun for your boys. Nearby is Campo Santa Margherita. One of the best slice-to-go pizza places in Venice – Pizza al Volo – is there as well as Il Doge, an awesome gelato kiosk, for one euro per pallina, or scoop 🙂 These places are not fancy, but they are quick, cheap and frequented by locals. Just some ideas – have a wonderful time – buon viaggio!
Amy
January 24, 2012
Can’t waiwould hear your report. Not sure when you are going. We are going to Venice the weekend of the 4 th. If you take your little ones I would really love your kid friendly ideas. We are taking our toddler and preschooler. It is carnival in Venice the weekend following, which could be fun, though hotels and such are booking fast . If you are staying there then book soon!
Judy
January 24, 2012
Love the framing for the picture of the Tower of Pisa! Super cute.
There’s a hotel in Venice proper called the Hotel Al Sole. The rooms were nice, it’s in Venice, there was a good breakfast, it was in an old building which was interesting, and it’s not too expensive.
There’s a maritime museum in Venice that my son liked very much and so we visited it 2 or 3 times. He was in first grade. It has a great big anchor out front my son could stand on (so much bigger than him!) It was a great spot for a picture. Lots of models of the old Venetian ships inside, with their masts and sails and rigging.
Lucky you, have fun!
http://www.cuteanduseful.com
Judy
January 24, 2012
BTW, there was another hotel I really liked the look of and in a neighborhood I found charming — it was near a Venetian elementary school if I remember correctly– called the Hotel American. It’s a little more expensive than the Hotel Al Sole, still reasonable. I do recall thinking if I ever stayed in Venice again, I would like to try the American.
cuteanduseful.com>
Aude
January 24, 2012
I lived in Florence for a year and I recommend Zaza too! And “aperitivo” is the best way to eat great food in a traditional (and cheap) way: go to a bar in the evening, get drinks and eat! My favorite place in Florence is San Miniato al Monte, a beautiful church upon a hill, overlooking the whole city. You can go there by foot, crossing nice untouristy streets and countryside with pine trees.
I went to Venice for the holidays last easter and I would advise you to get lost in all the different neighborhoods, both by daylight and at nighttime: the best way to discover the beauty and magic of the city. Another thing: wander at every time of the day because the light is so different and mesmerizing at every hour! Two wonderful places to eat: Ristorante Ribot: Fondamenta Minotto, 160 (Santa Croce) 30135 e La Bottega ai promessi sposi, celle dell’Oca, Cannaregio, 4367.
Last but not least… I can’t tell you enough how the Torcello (so peaceful and emotional) and Burano (so colourful) islands are wonderful. You can take a ticket for the boat (very quick trip) and do both islands in a long morning. Murano on the other hand is too touristy and only shops!
I wish you a lovely and magical time in Italy.
Aude from Paris
Layne
January 24, 2012
I served a year of my mission in Firenze and surrounding cities and I LOVE Firenze. A delicious, old, panini place is quick, cheap, and old. It’s called Due Fratellini and it’s near piazza signoria. Ask the locals, they’ll know where it’s at. It’s just two brothers that have this little hole in the wall shop. You step up, order your 2.50 euro panini to one brother while the other makes it. Quick as that, even though there’s always a long line.
Amy S
January 24, 2012
Hi! We stayed at La Calcina in Venice for 3 days – it is right on the open water and relatively quiet (south side of Venice, near Academia bridge, right by a water bus station too). I HIGHLY recommend it! If you can reserve the hotel proper, it is cheaper, but the “Ruskin House” apartment they rent out is even better because it is just a few meters from the hotel and gets all the hotel amenities but you have an entire suite (including large bathroom and big closets) to yourself. Here’s the info. They are very responsive via e-mail. I looked at other hotels and couldn’t beat the price honestly.
PENSIONE LA CALCINA – RUSKIN’S HOUSE
DORSODURO 780 ZATTERE
30123 VENEZIA – ITALIA
TELEFONO 041 – 5206466
FAX 041 – 5227045
E mail: la.calcina@libero.it
Web: http://www.lacalcina.com
Web: http://www.warmhospitality.com
Mellyn Reading
January 24, 2012
Hi Jordan, I went to Venice years ago and stumbled upon this Stampatore (letter press!) on a back street in Venice. He made me the prettiest business cards. He has an amazing choice of stamps and an old-timey letter press machine (in my very limited Italian I think he said the shop has been passed down several generations). It is an old musty dark shop in a residential area, with about a million different stamps to pick from. He has no website, no mail orders, you have to just show up and order what you want and he will send it to you. Here is his info: Gianni Basso, Cannaregio F. Nuove, Calle Del Fumo 5306 Venezia 30131. Tel # 041-5234681. I hope you find it! This was truly a highlight of my travels to Venice so many years ago. Cheers! Mellyn
Adriana
January 24, 2012
My boyfriend and I are going to the same places (plus Rome) in April!! I’m very excited about my trip, and I’m looking forward to reading about yours when you come back!
Lindsay Marie
January 24, 2012
I have stayed in Venice a few different times, but I didn’t LOVE any of the places I stayed. They were cheap bed and breakfasts. I would totally rent an apartment if you can, with views of a canal (not hard to find ha). My favorite thing to eat there is octopus with polenta. its amazing. At night go to the bars (cafes) to get really thick perfect hot chocolate or fresh squeezed orange juice. Its really surreal, so dreamy. Definitely get a murano glass pendant 🙂 I can’t wait to go again!
Lindsay Marie
January 24, 2012
ps in Florence you have to go to Santa Maria Novella and get a body milk or something.
Beth S
January 24, 2012
We spent most of our honeymoon in Florence and stayed in a little hotel on the corner of Hell and Purgatory (I kid you not). It was called Hotel Esperanza and was run by a nice older gentleman. It was pretty bare bones, but very centrally located. Our favorite restaurant was Sasso di Dante, right across from the Duomo. Small, lively and really delish food! Have such a fun time!
stacey
January 24, 2012
Hotel Flora in Venice !!! An old painting school…amazing and affordable.
Sophie
January 24, 2012
My partner and I stayed at Hotel San Sebastiano Garden (in the Dorsoduro district of Venice) for 4 nights a few weeks ago. It was the nicest and most affordable hotel we encountered during our trip in Italy – gorgeous rooms (ours’ overlooked the sizeable garden), in a residential, arty area that was a real joy to walk around.
Amie
January 25, 2012
We specialize in reviewing places to stay in Italy on my site – CiaoBambino.com. In Florence, for value, space, and location we love Residence Hilda. Here is a link to the full review:
http://www.ciaobambino.com/profile_commReview.asp?id=2343
Sally
January 25, 2012
In Venice stay at Locanda Ca’Gottardi! Its a small boutique hotel right across from the only grocery store in Venice “Billa”. We stayed there for our honeymoon in 2007 and the rate for the best suite in the hotel was somewhere around $200 US a night. Its run by a small family and the bathroom and free breakfasts were amazing. Very impressed! See it at http://www.cagottardi.com/en/!
Tosha G.
January 25, 2012
My husband and I went to Venice, Rome, and Paris last year and fell in love with our Venice hotel. It had stunning wood beamed ceilings and a great location near San Marco Square. Also, the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. Seriously, Residence Corte Grimani is the place to be: http://www.cortegrimani.com/
K.O'toole
January 25, 2012
We stayed at Hotel David in Florence and LOVED IT!
Cristina
January 25, 2012
I can sugegst you my brotherìs hotel!! 🙂
http://www.capozzoinn.com/it/
It’s in a nice quiet area, near the Ghetto you have to visit! 😉