I just returned from 10 days in Florence and Munich. Florence was really nice but I have opinions abouty my hotel (Hotel Torre Guelfa). I had a lot of good food and did a ton od sightseeing. I really LOVED Munich. The food was fabulous and the people were the most friendly that I have met anywhere in Europe. I stayed at the Hotel Advokat which was only $100 a night for a single and was a great value and very sleek and modern. Shopping in Munich was wonderful. The prices in Germany were excellent with the value of the dollar. The stores were packed with all sorts of interesting stuff. The food and beer was dreamy. The food prices were very affordable and this was a meat lovers paradise! And those Bavarian pretzels! YUM! Why don't more people come here? <BR> <BR>I flew to Europe on Lufthansa and the service was efficient and friendly (for a change). The food was decent the planes spottlessly clean and the leg room about average. My return trip was on United. The service was typical United and a few of the flight attendants were a bit harsh. I got an Business Class upgrade for the US domestic leg of my trip so that was a big plus. <BR> <BR>In summary, I had a great time. I really loved Germany more than Italy. Munich was a bit more modern and a bit less "Old World" but still VERY European. <BR> <BR>Oh, I did not see or hear of any reference of Hoof and Mouth disease while I was there. Everyone seemed to be gobbling mounds of pork, lamb, beef and veal and loving every mouthful! <BR> <BR>If anyone has any questions, please feel free to send me an Email or respond here.

Hello, Richard. Your trip sounds terrific ... an interesting and good mix of cultures, too. I was curious about your opinions on the Hotel Torre Guelfa, which was just listed in an article as a "good value" in Florence. It did list several rooms to avoid (4, 9, 11) and said that the decor was "tired". Oh the whole, it sounds like a good location with views of the city. Is this so? Any rave restaurant suggestions in Florence? <BR> <BR>I, too, loved Munich during my short stay there. Wished we had more time for a city that really surprised me. <BR> <BR>Welcome home!

Richard <BR>So where was this yummy food?

Yes, Richard, where WAS the yummy food, esp. in Munich, where we are heading shortly. We'd love some tips!

What else did you do in Munich, besides eat, drink and shop (not that those activities aren't enjoyable!)? Did you go to a beerhall and, if so, which? Did you get out of town at all?

Also,how did you get from Florence to Munich (train, car, etc.) and how was that trip?

Hi Richard, <BR>I'd love to know what you thought about Hotel Torre Guelfa in Florence. Did you see another hotel in Florence you wish you'd stayed in? And where did you eat in Florence that you would recommend? <BR>Thanks for your input!!

OH GOD! All these questions! I am at work right now and I will try to answer when I get home. <BR> <BR>I will say, the Torre Guelfa was a bit tired and I would also avoid room #2. Although the location of the Torre Gulfa was excellent. I hated dealing with the elevators, scalding hot and freezing cold water, lobby and outside noise is also an issue. Price and location of the Torre Guelfa is excellent. The staff is also very friendly, but not really knowledgable. <BR> <BR>As far as restaurant in Italy I would use those recommended by fodors.com, timeout.com and frommers.com . I always found that when I went to a restaurant that was not listed i hated it. There are a few rip offs in Florence. Stick to the beaten path! <BR> <BR>In Munich I will list details later, but any of the beer halls like Donisl, the Ratshaus and Spantenhaus were excellent. The one thing you have to look away from is that these places are VERY SMOKEY and often hot inside. I recommend sitting outside when possible. I hope you like pork because this seems to be a specialty! Those pork knuckles with dumplings and cabbage are dreamy! I also couldn't eat enough of those delicious Bavarian pretzels. <BR> <BR>Anyway, I will write more details later whan I am less jetlaged....

Hi Richard: outside noise? I thought T.Guelfa was on a pedestrian street in Florence: or was it the pedestrians who were noisy? Also, how much are rooms there? I heard it was very nice... <BR> <BR>Take your time, understand about the jet lag (and the work!) and very glad to hear from you....

I stayed in the lowest priced room at the Torre Guelfa. I still am not sure if I would recommend it. A lot of noise came from the lobby of the hotel. The streets in Florence are very narrow and when pedestrians talk or make noise it echos up the whole street. Also, during my last 2 days at the hotel, they were doing work outside the hotel and permanently opened the shutters offering no privacy and no shelter from the sunlight. This made it difficult to sleep in the early morning. The hotel did not even offer an apology. I took the bedspread and draped it over the window. The hotel also had bad plumbing where you'd either get no water pressure, water that is either too hot or too cold. Actually it was often too hot because insufficent cold water pressure to cool it off. <BR> <BR>May I also mention the antique elevator which has manual doors that you open and close everytime you use it? Somtimes people did not close the doors and you will have to walk up 3 flights of stairs to the hotel. <BR> <BR>The beds in the hotel are also not great, basically a thin mattress on a set of springs. If you have back problems, this is not your place. <BR> <BR>The Torre Guelfa is a good value, but sometimes this comes with a price. It has that certain "Old World Charm" but is not modern. I am all for a good value and a can deal with a small efficient room, but this one pressed my nerves. <BR> <BR>Sorry.

Richard-will be going to Florence soon--WHAT WERE THE RIPOFFS you were talking about? Please respond--Thanks loads-Andy

There seems to be a bit said lately about where not to stay in Florence, and I would like to say that the 'Il Bargellino' on Via Guelfa, just near the train station and a lovely stroll from the centre of town, was just perfect! Wonderful hot water, fluffy white towels, very reasonably priced, the best hospitality... It was one of our highlights in accomadation. We stayed there last October and I would highly recommend it to anyone considering accomadation in Florence.

The ripoffs I was referring to were restaurants who offer bad food. My suggestion was to stick to those recommended in guidebooks.

What are the best restaurants in Munich? Will you be posting any of these on your websight?

As promised, I just posted some info on my MUNICH part of the trip. Use the search function and look for "MY MUNICH TRIP REPORT" <BR> <BR>Thanks for looking!

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Hi everyone! <BR> <BR>I wanted to let you know that I've posted a more detailed trip report about Munich on my websight. Check it out! <BR> <BR>http://home.earthlink.net/~richardab