Debby

We're back. We stayed at the Hotel Allessandra in Florence. Rick Steves writes about it, and we have had friends who have stayed there. The hotel is very nice. One of the merchants on the street says they have just recently redone it. The rooms are done in nice fabrics but the bathrooms are still old, but they are clean. The only weird thing was there was no soap dish in the shower. We found this to be the case in 2 of the older hotels we stayed in on our trip. The son helps the parents run the place,and he was very nice and helpful with any questions we needed answered. The place was full on all of the nights we stayed there. Once again, there are 25 steps to go up before you get to the elevator that takes you to your rooom. My husband was a trooper and we find those are the things we laugh about now. On the way down, we had help with the luggage.<BR><BR>We nver had any trouble being locked out. If you leave your key with them at the desk as you are expected to do in Europe, they know you are out. If you are going to be very late, just tell them, and they will make sure you have a place to sleep.<BR><BR>The rates were good for Florence, so I might stay ther again. I would probably stay outside Florence and do day trips next time. We did the major sights, and we would probably want to relax in Tuscany.<BR><BR>Debby

Emily

We're making our first trip to Florence in Sept. Would like to see Tuscany as part of our trip. I have been in touch with several "pricey" private tour guides. Is it possible to do vineyard/winetasting tours, and tours of Tuscany by bus without private tour guides?

Debby

I do not know. We rented a car, and did them easily with a car. Driving in Tuscany was easy. It's pretty easy to get out of florence. I do not know how it would be on a bus. Ask your hotel, I found them to be full of information.<BR><BR>Debby

Jon

Debby<BR>What price did you pay for the Hotel Allessandra? Do they have a website?<BR>Thanks.

Alice Twain

Emily<BR><BR>Consider renting a car and driving. Tuscany, once you are otside Florence, is an easy drive, especially if you are in the Chianti area. Stich to the smallest streets and, with the help of a good map, you will have no problens at getting by.<BR>As for wine tasting, you can make your own itinerary through wine producing farms with no help from organized tours. In late May "Cantine aperte" is an occaion to visit everal vineyards in the whole Italy, this is a list of the vineyards that took place at the last "Cantine aperte":<BR>http://www.movimentoturismovino.it/regione.php?regio=09<BR>Not all of these producers are in the Chianti area and not all of them produce chianti wine. personally I would encourage you to move as far asouth as Montalcino in order to have a taste of Brunello and Vino nobile.