HOTEL LUNGARNO....BOOKED. <BR>VILLA MEDICI....BOOKED <BR>HELVETIA & BRISTOL BOOKED <BR>VILLA LA MASSA...BOOKED <BR>VILLA SAN MICHELE..A LITTLE TOO FAR <BR>PLEASE HELP ME...FIRST VISIT TO FLORENCE THIS JULY AND I NEED A LUXURIOUS, ROMANTIC <BR>QUIET HOTEL FOR A VERY SPECIAL OCCASION. <BR> <BR>HAS ANYONE HEARD OF HOTEL REGENCY?

Joan, <BR>Let me assure you that Fiesole is easily reached by bus from Florence. I've not stayed there (not likely to be in my budget this century), but by all accounts it sounds like the perfect 'luxurious, romantic, quiet place for very special occasion.' Fiesole is delightful and I fully intend to find lodging there for my next visit.

A friend and I were in Florence this past June. We spent five nights at the Hotel Balestri, Piazza Montana, 7. <BR>The rooms were clean, the staff helpful and best of all it's in a great location. Located on the River, it's about 2 blocks from the Ponte Vecchio, about l l/2 blocks from the Piazza Signoria, and close to the Academia and other sights of interest. Sorry to say, I couldn't call it romantic. <BR>Tel. 011 39 055 214 743. You might try the Hotel Hermitage which has gotten good reviews in the past. They were booked when I tried. Fax 011 39 055 21 22 08. Good Luck! <BR>P.S. Excuse the spelling <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>You might try

The Hotel Regency is supposed to be a very nice hotel - comes highly recommended by a number of sources. But I do hear that it's a bit further away from the action - a good 15-20 minute walk. So, if you're looking for a nice quiet place, I'd go for it. <BR>

Try: <BR>The Savoy <BR>Helvetia and Bristol <BR>Brunelleschi <BR>Anglo-American