Boscolo dei Dogi, Venice

Advantages: Beautiful, unique, hasn't disappeared yet
Disadvantages: Daily budget - ouch

...at times of ‘acqua alta’ (high water) – more of Venice In Peril later. Next to the Doge’s Palace, as you stand with your back to the quayside, is the old jail where Casanova was imprisoned amongst others, and which is linked to the Palace by the famous Ponte Dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs), over which many an unfortunate left one building to be spending many years, if not for ever, in the next. The Doge (or at least one of them) introduced the charming process of snitching on your neighbours, by installing a posting box for such anonymous messages (and you thought that was Stalin’s idea). Quite a good way of getting rid of competitors if you’re only the second best baker in town, I’d have thought. UP THE ARSENALE! The Arsenale, are the old shipyard areas built during the golden years of Venice’s power as a sea-going nation in its own... Read review

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Advantages: A wonderful town, what else?
Disadvantages: Sometimes too crowded

..., so pay attention when you stop at a coffee bar or at a restaurant; tourist menus don’t often include drinks and service, which make the bill soar. Piazza San Marco (St. Mark Square) is full of stalls which are very picturesque, but sell that kind of stuff that only tourists can buy. If you walk off the beaten track (it’s easy, you just have to do exactly the opposite the signs tell) you’ll find many small shops where you can buy glassware, clothes or Venetian sweets (“baicoli” – small biscuits, “pan dei Dogi” – made with currants). Public transport (vaporetto, a small boat) is very expensive, but it’s essential if you want to go to Murano or enjoy a trip along the “Canal Grande”. Remember that you can buy 1 or 3-day tickets at a special price. I hope someone... Read review

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Advantages: The decor, the breakfast, the friendly staff,
Disadvantages: Some rooms are a little on the small side, but this was no big inconvenience

...I booked a standard double room in the Ca' Dei Conti hotel (on expedia) for 3 nights in early January 2008, as a romantic break for my boyfriend and I. We fell in love with the place!. The hotel is incredibly easy to find by public water bus, you just get off at the San Zaccaria stop and follow the directions given on the hotel website. It's situated only a few minutes walk from St. Marks Square, but is incredibly quiet and secluded, so there is no noise or disturbances. The hotel itself is incredibly beautiful, as you walk over the little private bridge and enter into the hotel lobby, you're struck by just how beautiful this little hotel is. Checking in is very easy and the staff are friendly and speak fluent English. You are also given a map of Venice on arrival and the receptionist will circle all the main points of interest... Read review

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