Does anyone know if there is a special event in Florence the last week of October? I'm not having any luck with **** hotels. Thanks.

This happened to us year before last -- we ended up skipping Florence entirely! There were a number of conventions, as well as a huge medical conference during the dates we had planned to visit. Good luck.

Try a search by the dates you need on the venere.com site. It will show you only what is available, with rates for the length of your stay. You may then either bok via their site, or directly with the hotel.<BR>

You might also try Fiesole, a lovely town that looks down on Florence from the hills. Easy bus ride into town.

I agree-try Fiesole, much quieter than<BR>Florence. Try this pensione -Villa<BR>Benecista, 055 59163. I may have this<BR>spelled incorrectly.

I can't believe that anyone has waited till Sept to try to book into a popular living city!

We just booked our Florence hotel yesterday for 4 nights at the end of October. Try Montebello Splendid Hotel. There seemed to be several others with vacancies too. Good Luck.

I was just in Florence last week and the place was packed! I had never been in September and had no idea that it is considered high season. I booked my hotel just a week before going, so you should still be able to find hotels...they just might not your first choice(s). I would recommend a website called Italyby.com, they have a great selection of hotels in Florence. You should be able to find a 4* hotel, but plan on paying a fair amout for it since 3* hotels were going for $150-180. Try the Hotel Cellai, good location and nice place.

The last weekend, actually November 1st, is All Saints weekend, and many schools are also out that week around Europe.

Starwood's the Westin Excelsior and the Grand Hotel both have vacancies from the 20th thru 31st of October. You can book online. Good luck. I think you need to do more homework here. You should be ok.

I just stayed at a very nice B&B called the Dei Mori. I paid $80/night for a single with bath. Perfect location. Right next door to the American Express office, so convenient to all attractions. See www.bnb.it/deimori/