Any advice on where to stay in Orvieto (1 night) and Florence (2 nights)? Our budget is $150-200 per night. It's our first visit to Italy so a central sightseeing location in Florence would be good.

CS, have you tried www.venere.it? You should check out your guidebooks and that will help also. Look at Loggiato dei Serviti or La Residenza. Just about everything in Florence is central.

I'm in Italy once a month- and in Florence I stay at the Hotel Brunelleschi, which was just written up in the current issue of Conde Nast. <BR> <BR>In Orvieto, where I will be next week, <BR>I usually stay at 2 of 3-star hotels, Filippeschi, F:0763.343.275 off of hte Piazza della Repubblica, or Corso, F: 0763.342.020 at the intersection of via di Montemarte. <BR> <BR>Buon Viaggo! <BR>Wendy

Good evening, CS <BR>Wendys' recommendations are right on, have two ristorante recommendations for <BR>Orvieto. <BR>ETRUSCA, via Maitani, 10, 344061, $$$ <BR>closed on mondays.. <BR>MAURIZIO, via Duomo, 7 , 343212, $$$ <BR>closed on tuesdays... <BR>Used both with no reservations, but very <BR>good food. Richard of La Grange Park, Il.. <BR>

The Corso in Orvieto was excellent. Great location, nice, quiet rooms, and breakfast included. Our double room had a TV, en suite bathroom and small balcony. It was around L140.000 per night.

Seasoned travelers -- Thank you all for your help! I will check out these recommendations. This is my first visit to this Fodors Travel Talk board -- thrilled by your helpful, swift responses. Thanks! <BR> <BR>

CS, <BR>Richard is right on with the Etrusca recommendation.... <BR>As you know, Orvieto is famed for it's wines and the wine cellar in Trattoria Etrusca ia amazing as it is carved out of solid Tufa! The dining room is nice with medieval vaulted ceilings and helpful staff. T: 0763.44016 <BR>Buon Appetito!