Florence advice
 

Hello!

I'm travelling there early March 2007 and would love any advice on best areas to stay. It would be great to stay somewhere less touristy and close to night nightlife.
Also best area for buying leather goods?

Thanks!

Hi 10,

>,,,somewhere less touristy and close to night nightlife. <

How can you keep the tourists away from the nightlife?

What's your budget?

((I))

My budget is up to $250 US a night.
If I had to choose I'd say staying away from the main thouroughfares are more important than nightlife. A quiet room would be great.

Thanks

It's always best to be near the center in Firenze, and your budget allows it. There are some streets that are "pedistrian only" and they are places you should look for when you check out hotels in order to have quiet. Have you tried perusing the reviews on Tripadvisor and Slow Travel?

In March, you will have less problem with feeling that you are in a tourist trap.

Can't advise you about nightlife and leather, but given that you are going in March, I still recommend you stay near the center so that you can get your tourist walking comfortably even if it is rainy.

Hi girlcat - i've just started posting my report from our very recent trip [just got back today] to florence - if you hit my name, you'll find it as it's the most recent one, bar this.
hope you find something useful there. Please feel free to ask me anything specific.
Regards
Ann

A great choice that fits your needs would be Il Guelfo Bianco. Close enough to be a short walk to the Duomo, yet far enough to be removed from the frenetic pace. Excellent 3 star hotel with spacious rooms and a terrific staff. About 200 Euros a night which is right at your hbudget, or a bit above

Hi again girlcat!
we stayed in an apartment just round the corner from the hotel "il guelfo bianco", which is on a the main road heading down into the centre of town - so if you had a room at the front, it would definitely not be quiet.
it is conventient though, a short walk down to the duomo, and close to the restaurants and shops.
As for leather, you can't miss it. There are numerous street markets heaving with it, and shops too, full of bags and other goods of all sizes and qualities.
hope you find what you are after,
Regards
ann

"we stayed in an apartment just round the corner from the hotel "il guelfo bianco", which is on a the main road heading down into the centre of town - so if you had a room at the front, it would definitely not be quiet."

Not so. We stayed there, in a room facing the front. They have excellent quality double paned windows, and when closed you cannot hear a thing. In early March, there is no reason to open the windows

Hi 10,

Enter <Florence AND Hotel> in the "search this forum" box.

There have been several recommendations that would match your criteria, but I can't think of the names right now.

((I))

Some cheap accommodation in Florence:


http://www.travellerspoint.com/budge...en-ci-426.html


Book your Uffizi gallery ticket online unless you want to wait for hours. A helpful tourist site:


http://www.florence.world-guides.com/

Even though Florence's historic center is small I recommend you stay by the Ponte Vecchio if you can pay a little more. Don't mind what others say about this area being touristy. It's touristy for a good reason. You won't regret staying at a hotel with a view of the river and the Ponte Vecchio.

Here is also website where you can find cheap accommodation in Florence:
http://www.tuscanweb.com

Thanks so much everyone-you have been very helpful!