Venice day 1 Hotel al Gambero ***
Price 110 Euro
The Antica Locanda Al Gambero is located in the heart of Venice 150 meters from Piazza San Marco and the Rialto Bridge. It had warmth and charm, just what we thought a small Venetian-style hotel might be. From our rooms window, we could throw open the shutters and gaze down and enjoy a wonderful view of a classic Venetian canal.
Venice day 2 Locanda Ai Santi Apostoli ***
Price 170 Euro
On the Grand Canal, just near the Rialto, the Locanda Ai Santi Apostoli, on the third floor of an old palazzo, has the flavor of a patrician home of bygone times.
This facility is owned by the same people as the al Gambero. Not having available rooms for a second night, the al Gambero offered us the apartment. Rather spendy for us but our room included a large bedroom, and a dining room and kitchen. The apartment was one the second floor of the same old building that housed the lobby.
Florence day 3 Hotel Monica **
price dbl 65 Euro – park 18.50 Euro
Although in the Florentine style international and situated in the heart of Florence, the Monica was not as charming and renovated looking as the web descriptions would suggest. However, the Duomo, S. Marco, Accademia, and main artistic treasures are in walking distance and the room were relatively comfortable. Our shower had no “surround”. We had to remove anything that should not get wet from the room before showering.
Florence day 4 HOTEL PORTA FAENZA ***
price dbl 80 Euro – park 9 Euro
This hotel is a new 3-star category Hotel in the city center. Antonio Nelli, a famous photographer from Florence and his Canadian wife Rose, have been hoteliers since 1974. The hotel is an 18th century building, which has been completely refurbished internally: elevator, air-conditioning, and soundproof rooms, ours had a rooftop view while. The reception area has a bar and lots of common space. The owners and staff members speak English.
There is a pleasant breakfast room where a delicious buffet breakfast is served: juice, fresh fruit, hard- boiled eggs, slices ham and cheese, yogurt, cereal, all the traditional hot drinks. Free Internet and e-mail access is available at anytime to all guests. There is a nice bar (24 hour services) located in the lobby area, and a Portico-style sitting area next to a 13th century water well.
Siena day 5 Hotel Minerva ***
Price 90 Euro
Near the entrance of the medieval walls in the historic center of Siena and only a short walk from the Piazza del Campo. Guest rooms are nicely furnished in a modern style and are equipped with the standard amenities. There is a bar that offers beverages anytime and is also used for the customary continental breakfast in the morning.
Assissi Day 6 Hotel Dei Priori ***
Price 90 Euro
This hotel occupies all three floors of the old “Palazzo Nepis Cilleni”. It was designed by the famous architect Galeazzo Alessi in 1570. It is nicely furnished. Our room had a wonderful little sitting room with the bed up a short stairway to the rooms loft.
Rome day 7 & 8 Hotel Buenos Aires ***
Price 120 Euro
The three-star Hotel Buenos Aires, located in a central portion of the upper class Salario-Parioli area of Rome has the most courteous and helpful staff of any of the hotels we stayed in. The hotel was converted from, what was, a police station. It has comfortable rooms and a continental breakfast that included scrambled eggs (a real treat).
Restaurant: BucaVino (the kitchen) 4 blocks from Hotel Buenos Aires
The two restaurant owners, Maria and Raffaella, provide creative dishes nicely prepared and presented. Their own wine (BucaVino) is inexpensive and very nice as well. The atmosphere is light and pleasant.
Cassino day 9 Forum Palace Hotel ****
Price 85 Euro
A nice hotel but not worth it’s four star rating. It is near the mountain top where the historic Abbey of Montecassino, the Church built for St. Benedict, is located
Gaeta Restaurant on way to Pisa: Vic’s Bar & Pizza
In the city of Gaeta with it's many beautiful landscape scenes there is a little restaurant overlooking the Mediterranean. Gaeta is the homeport of The Sixth Fleets Admiral's Flag Ship. Located near the NATO Fuel Pier Vic’s caters to Americans - subs, french fries, hamburgers, and pizza. But we were just passing through and needed a bite to eat. Here you will find the American flag prominently displayed. We chose the all American hamburger over any Italian dish because we had had mostly pasta for the previous many days in Italy.
Marino day 10 Cavalluccio Marino Hotel ****
Price 90 Euro (negotiated)
The Cavalluccio Marino Hotel, is a comfortable touristy type structure; overlooking the wonderful tyrrhenian coast of the mediteranian. It has a swimming pool and beach but the pool was empty and the March weather was too cool anyway.
The hotel has a very nice restaurant on the beach. It's the kitchen of Signora Angelina, wife of Signor Pietro, who is the owner of the hotel and a fishery. The food was good and the service excellent. The portions were small and a bit over priced but the desserts were presented well and - luscious.
Milan Last Day Hotel Oleggio Malpensa ***
Price 103 Euro
A hotel that will shuttle you to and from the Malpensa airport. We chose it because of its location and ability to get us to the airport without us having to drive there ourselves. It was a great choice. It has a nice bar and friendly help. We ordered 2 glasses of wine and a dish of nuts to take to our room. The surprising cost was only four Euro.