Going to Florence in April for 7 days, need some help and recs:

1. Flying into Pisa, should we buy train tickets in advance or at airport?

2.Hotel in Florence recommendations, we like all types, but for amenities, probably 3 stars, up -- any price range. If anyone has info on hotels with gyms (or, gyms in town), that would be helpful.

3. Recommendations for day trips to other towns in Tuscany, either by train or car.

4. Good restaurants -- we prefer simpler over fancy, but , again price isn't the main factor.

thanks in advance for any help and suggestions

Pisa is a very small and manageable airport. You will pat yourself on the back for using it. I bought my train ticket there with no problem and it should be even easier in April (I was there in May 2 years ago). Apart from getting online boarding passes--- which you may do already anyway-- I think you've covered everything.

My hotel in Florence is probably too basic for you, the Annalena, but I prefer to stay in the Oltrano away from the hectic downtown center because the city is so compact that getting around is an easy, pleasant walk in good weather. I walk from the train station when I arrive, so if you look at the map and find the Boboli Gardens, you'll see that it appears to be very far from the station, but with one carry-on bag, it's a leisurely 20 minute amble.

My favorite restaurant experience was Il Guscio. Traveling solo, I've had less-than-warm welcomes, but I was treated very well here. I can recommend the seafood pasta and the sliced steak on a bed of spinach, as well as the excellent wines by the glass. Michelin, Chowhound, and other food lovers' guides agree with me. It's in the San Frediano quarter. There's an English version on their website, but the menu page is under construction except for a few photos:

www.il-guscio.it

If the crowds get on your nerves, there's a wonderful walk from just outside the Porta Romana along a gently graded hill, Viale N. Macchiavelli, then turning left down along the walled Via San Agostino to the Bardini Gardens, far more beautiful than Boboli. From there, downhill to the river, you'll pass tourists trudging up that steep hill while you stroll down easily. Every inch of the walk is lovely and the views of the city from the Bardini gardens are gorgeous.

Buon Viaggio!

Florence--stay at the Hotel Pendini, have at least one dinner at Buca Mario.

We liked the Osteria di Benci very near Santa Croce, Mamma Gina in the Oltrarno, Trattoria Cibreo, La Giostra and Osteria Tornabuoni on the Via di Corso.

We usually stay at the Tornabuoni Beacce or the Antica Torre Tornabuoni and can recommend both. Many on this forum recommend the Hotel Casci.

As for day trips, San Gimignano and Siena are great.

Restaurant rec: Buca dell'Orafo. It's in a cellar right near the river and just east of the Ponte Vecchio. The place is easy to miss, because you have to go down the steps to get there. Lots of locals, some tourists. A little on the expensive side -- full meal runs around 30 euros -- with fewer than 10 tables.

Most people take a day trip to Siena by bus. The bus station is near the train station. Make sure you get a ticket for the rapide (express) bus.