florence decisions
 

the hotel balestri is available to us september 6-10 for a rate of 200 euro. what are your thoughts? we like the location and have heard favorable reports.<BR><BR>any thoughts? how about hotel casci,pitti palace? <BR><BR>is the traffic and noice that bad in florence? I hava always heard that florence is great, but have noticed recent comments suggesting a stay outside of florence.<BR><BR>jim & camille

Hi Jim & Camille,<BR><BR>I stayed 2 nights in Florence years ago. Our hotel was on the main street that runs between the train station & the duomo. Our room was on the 3rd floor facing the street & we didn't sleep at all! Sirens all night long plus regular traffic. <BR><BR>If I stay in Florence again, I will request a courtyard room at least! But, more likely, I will stay outside the city.<BR><BR>Buon viaggio!

consider the oltrarno area. many green spaces and not far from the sites.

Well, I do believe the hotel has to charge you to make a profit when you stay. Don't have too big a grudge on them. Okay?

There are many small quiet hotels right in the center of the old part of the city. You just have to pay attention to the locations. it is not necessary to go to the oltrarno side to avoid noise, though you can if you want to.

Agree with the courtyard idea. We stayed in Seville and had the same problem. Switched to a courtyard room which solved the noise problem. The decision depends more on your personality (city or country type of person). We like cities (although Florence is large, but hardly the equivalent of a New York or Chicago) and love wandering the neighborhoods and discovering little shops and restaurants. To me the inconvenience of having to drive/train/bus in every day to see the sights would offset any benefits of being more quiet. Our trip to Italy includes four nights in Florence and five nights in two small towns in other parts of Tuscany so you get a taste of both. Enjoy.