So this is my first post; here goes…
Next year, my best friend and I are hoping to go on a short little Europe trip, probably only ten days or so, to Milan and then Venice.
Well, my friend and I are complete opposites. She would rather organize everything ahead of time, where I would much rather just go wherever the road takes us. She is a bit of an obsessively clean person, and probably would not enjoy the less expensive hotels and hostels, where I don’t really care all that much. On that note, she is rather wealthy, and so staying in expensive places wouldn’t trouble her, while I am currently a tad on the poor side. :]
So here’s my question: is asking for really nice, reasonably-priced places to stay in Milan and Venice asking too much?? Does anyone know of any places?
I sure hope you guys can help me, because I know that the trip could easily be ruined… And that would definitely suck.. :]
I would worry more about whether you and your friend will have a friendship that survives such different styles, budgets, and interests.
What would you consider a reasonable price? If you go in winter, and not at New Year’s or Carnevale, you can get pretty good prices in Venice. I’m not sure about Milan.
Would you friend consider staying in a Venice convent? Some of these are very reasonable priced, but they’ll likely be quirkier than a hotel.
Even 3* hotels in Italy might fall short of your friend’s preferences. For many Americans who like staying at the Marriott or the Hilton, these are just not the same. Try to find out exactly what she needs to be happy while travelling.
With only 10 days, you don’t have much time to see where the road takes you. I would map out the can’t-miss destinations in the cities you are going to so that your friend is happy and try to convince her that at least 1-2 days should be set aside for general exploring.
How much are you willing to spend on accommodation? In the summer a decent priced hotel you’re talking at least $150 – $200 a night while a hostel would run you like 30 bucks. I don’t know if there’s much in between. As for planning ahead, delfrio has it right; with only 10 days you’re going to have to plan it because you don’t have enough time to play with.
Eurotrip Editor
When I was in Venice a few weeks ago, I stayed at Hotel Venice Villa Dori. It’s a hotel/hostel in Mestre, and about a 20 minute bus ride to the Piazzale Roma. It was a pretty nice place all things considered, and decently priced for Venice. The neighborhood is pretty, and the locals that we met are nice. It’s called a Hotel, but it’s kinda like a mix between a hostel and a hotel.
here’s the website – http://www.villadori…
it was nice and reasonably priced
Thank you guys so much for your responses, you’ve all been way helpful!!
And I guess you’re all right about 10 days being too short not to plan, I just wish it wasn’t… :]
Thanks for the reference to Hotel Venice Villa Dori, nlo88!! It looks great, I’ll have to bring it up to my friend!