Winner of the VIP Contributor Contest Announced!

[youngandflourishing]

Just from a newcomer perspective, I think change is good. I know that when you have received a gift in the past and it is reduced, you tend to feel silghted, but you must remember that it is a gift. Posting should be fun and valuable. Not only does it provide information about traveling, but it also gives people with a common interest a chance to communicate and network. Think about it- if the incentive were not available, would you stop visiting the site? No. You visit the site for the great trips and the affordable rates. The certificate is a bonus, so treat it as such. If the company is making the cut here, they are probably adding a benefit somewhere else.

*youngandflourishing*

[youngandflourishing]

imbues,



What part of Italy? I live in Germany and we lived in Belgium before we moved here. I have visited Rome and my husband recently went to Naples. I would love to see Pisa and Venice. I have heard awesome things about Venice. Italy has so many nice cities to offer. I would love to see LL offer more sites in my immediate area so I would have an excuse to travel often. I'm not working right now so I have a little time on my hands. Plus- I live in Europe!!! This won't last long so I'm trying to cover as much European/ Asian/ African travel as possible before we head back to the states in a couple of years. (That won't stop me from traveling in the states if a hot deal popos up though). I would love to go to Spain, Portugal, Greece, Ireland, Switzerland...maybe I should just stop listing. I keep thinking of other locations. :-)



Have fun on your trip!



*youngandflourishing*

[imbues]

Hi YaF,

We are going to Venice, Florance and Rome in the fall 2008. I want to stay about 3 days in Venice, 4 days and Florance and a week in Rome. Two weeks with my Mother will be enough for me.

[CMDAVILACLI]

Hi Imbues,

If you are not familiar with www.slowtrav.com it is a wonderful site full of great reviews/comments especially for Italy. I have used it many times and the last two sets of accomodations I booked using their info ended up being FANTASTIC! If you have not already booked your hotels/apts... the Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo right behind the San Stae Church (same stop) in Venice is such a find! It is only rated 2 stars but really should be much, much higher. I think it is only 2 stars because it only has about 10 rooms, but they are fantastic and the two guys who one the place are really wonderful!!!!! Breakfast is included in the rate and last year we only paid about $125.00 per night during off season for a truly wonderful hotel!

I also have the name of an apartment in Rome that was also a wonderful find through the reviews of slowtrav.com. If you are interested, I'll go through my old files and get you the info.

The hotel we selected for Florence was just okay (exactly what the book said), but the location was exceptional.

cmdavilacli

[two2go]

Hi CMDAVILACLI
First of all thank you for that site, I will definitely use it. I would also love to have the hotel in Rome you have mentioned. Imbues has mentioned that she will be staying 1 week in Rome. Cathy, don't you think that it is a little too long?
two2go

[imbues]

Hi CMDAVILACLI, Yes, I'm familiar with slow travel and I love that site. Thanks for the recommendations, I'm hoping to buy LL packages for Venice and Florance. I'll see what's available for the time we expect to go this spring. However, I'd consider your recommendation for Venice if it has an elevator? My Mother is almost 70 and has a slight knee problem. After walking all day having to climb stairs for her might not be good. She will need to rest her knee at night.

I'd really be interested in your Rome apartment recommendation. It would be very nice of you to look though your records to find it. Thank you.

CMDAVILACLI wrote:

Hi Imbues,

If you are not familiar with www.slowtrav.com it is a wonderful site full of great reviews/comments especially for Italy. I have used it many times and the last two sets of accomodations I booked using their info ended up being FANTASTIC! If you have not already booked your hotels/apts... the Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo right behind the San Stae Church (same stop) in Venice is such a find! It is only rated 2 stars but really should be much, much higher. I think it is only 2 stars because it only has about 10 rooms, but they are fantastic and the two guys who one the place are really wonderful!!!!! Breakfast is included in the rate and last year we only paid about $125.00 per night during off season for a truly wonderful hotel!

I also have the name of an apartment in Rome that was also a wonderful find through the reviews of slowtrav.com. If you are interested, I'll go through my old files and get you the info.

The hotel we selected for Florence was just okay (exactly what the book said), but the location was exceptional.

cmdavilacli

[imbues]

Hi twotogo, I don't think I'll be able to see everything I want to in Rome in less than a week. And after racing through Venice and Florance I'd like to take my time in Rome. I want to spend some time drawing and relaxing there. I'd love to have a month or two to draw as much as possible.

two2go wrote:
Hi CMDAVILACLI
First of all thank you for that site, I will definitely use it. I would also love to have the hotel in Rome you have mentioned. Imbues has mentioned that she will be staying 1 week in Rome. Cathy, don't you think that it is a little too long?
two2go

[CMDAVILACLI]

Hi... I'll get you the name of the apartment we stayed in Rome... and no, a week is not too long - we were busy the entire week and wished we had even more time!

cmdavilacli

[CMDAVILACLI]

Hi Imbues,

The apartment we stayed in is RESIDENZA GIUBBONARI in the Campo de Fiori area. Check out their website at www.residenzagiubbonari.com. Christina is the owner and extremely nice. The location is superb. We stayed in the RED apartment and the photos of the apartment are EXACTLY what was there... 2 bedrooms, two bathrooms, a large living room, a completely functional kitchen, a washer AND dryer (unheard of in most places) and plenty, plenty of closet space etc. Light, airy and clean, and the location can't be beat. PLUS, they have an elevator if your mom is not up to walking the stairs.

The rates were great for the offseason when we were there... assume they still are. There is a big grocery store about 4 blocks away, and of course, the Campo de Fiori market and all the wonderful restaurants and shops are just down the pedestrian walkway that the apartment is on.

Check out the reviews of this place... everyone gushes about it!

cmdavilacli