On the heals of our epic 16 day trip to Italy I felt it prudent to review the places we stayed and ate. There was a lot that was epic, there was also a lot about this trip that was sub-optimal.
Air Travel : Air Canada Grade: C-
We chose to travel via Air Canada. I’m usually Delta loyal, but we had a ton of Chase Sapphire travel points. To get maximum value, we chose Air Canada. I didn’t make this choice lightly. I called a few Canadian friends and they assured me Air Canada, while generally shitty domestically was pretty good Internationally. They were also pretty direct flights. Well, one hoppers for us from Cincinnati, we weren’t getting into Italy direct no matter who we flew. We booked our outbound from Cincinnati -> Toronto -> Venice. Our return flight from Naples -> Montreal -> Cincinnati. We also went business class to get lie flat seats for the long haul portions and club access for the longer layovers.
All was well until 2 weeks before the trip Air Canada’s flight attendants went on strike, putting a trip that we’d spent 9 mont planning in jeopardy. Air Canada wasn’t helpful, in the least and while everything ultimately worked out, it was very dicey and stressful. In fact I had to buy fully refundable Delta tickets as a backup plan. Fortunately I didn’t need them.
On the way out, we initially had a 2 hour layover in Toronto. Our outbound flight was a little late. We landed then only had 30 minutes to make the next gate. The Toronto airport is HUGE. We hustled to the gate and got there with 10 mins to spare. But there was no plane. It took then an hour to get the plan (which spent the night there), to the gate. And that airport gate area was unbelievably crowded so we stood around for well over an hour, there was not enough seating.
The long haul flight was fine. ~7.5 hours to Venice, over night. The plane was 25 years old and the lie flat seating was dated and uncomfortable. The mechanics of the seat itself barely worked. I will give Air Canada an A++ for the food, it was fantastic.
On the return flight we had a newer plane (10 years old). with the same pods. Well used, and barely functional. Inflight entertainment and screen was fine, but the food on the return flight was not great. It sounds odd to be complaining about airplane food, but in business class, spending nearly $8k on tickets, you do expect better. The service by the flight attendants on both long haul flights was fantastic.
We had a 4 hour layover in Montreal. We went straight to the club above gate 73. What a joke of a club. Dirty, and the worker bees literally gave zero F*’s. I waited nearly 20 minutes for them to bring clean glasses to the limited buffet. Food was terrible, but the beer, once I got a glass was OK.
It is highly unlikely that I will ever fly Air Canada again.
Venice:
Rental Car: Hertz Grade: B-
We rented a car from Hertz, pickup could not have been easier. Car was fairly new (Audi A3), with 5k Kilometers. But I experenced a low oil light and had to stop, check the oil and buy two quarts. Returning it was a PITA. Signage wasn’t clear on where to park, they took forever to check the vehicle back in, but they did give me a credit for the oil I put in even though I couldn’t find the reciept.
Accomidations: Castelo di Roncade Grade:B
https://www.castellodironcade.com/en/
We wanted a Castle like experience, that wasn’t part of the plan for the 14 days we’re spending with our friends so we opted to graft it on to the beginning of the trip.
B+ for value, D for bed, and room accomidations. We booked a Jr. Suite, which wasn’t all that large, but large enough. The furniture in the castle was all terrible. The bed was terrible and the sofa in the living room area was unsittable. It’s advertised as “period furniture”. They need to upgrade the furniture. It’s a castle so there is no lift and our room was a the top of 3 flights of stairs. It is what it is. The room itself was fine, and the grounds were fantastic. Breakfast was included in our package and it was a typical European breakfast but very well done. We also had a fantastic wine tasting event at this hotel/castle as it’s also a functioning winery.
If they upgraded the furniture, I’d stay here again.
Accomidations: Ruzzini Palace Grade: B
https://www.ruzzinipalace.com/
Travel-Transfer: Trenitalia: Grade: B
Accomidations: Hotel La Palma (in Stresa)
https://www.hlapalma.it/en/
Accomidations: Salvadonica Grade: C-
https://www.salvadonica.com/en/
Accomidations: VRBO in Massa Luprense Grade: A