I am meeting others in Florence in October. They are staying at a Pension or B&B called Cazzavioli, which is apparently sold out. Does anyone know a place nearby to stay of similar quality? Does anyone know of Cazzavioli? any good restaurants nearby? <BR>Thanks a ton. .

Darin, <BR>Try Hotel Pendini. I've never stayed there but I heard it's nice and reasonable - around $125 p/nt. Just about everything in Florence is within walking distance. An excellent and very inexpensive restaurant is Il Latini - order the Primi Patti (sampling of first courses) and you'll have one of the best meals of your life. Have a great time.

<BR>Try the Scalata. It is within walking distance of the Station. Go over the Ponte Vecchio; it is about one block further on your left. I loaned my books to a friend and don't have the address or phone number, but if you can't find it--try the Lonely Planet Guide--I will search for it. The rooms are perhaps a bit dreary, but Barbara is charming and helpful, and it is CHEAP for Florence.

Thanks Danielle and boots ! I guess no one is familar with cazzavioli?!!?? <BR> <BR>

I don't know the hotel either but I'd contact the Italian embassy in New york or DC and ask them to send you a listing of Florence lodgings with addresses & phone numbers. If you can get a map of Florence so much the better. If not call Cazzavioli and ask about nearby hotels. I bet they'll have some recommendations. If that doesn't work, try calling the Florence tourist office. They alsoways have someone there speaking english and they may be able to help you.

The name of the Hotel is the Calzaiuoli. It's in a very good location (on via Calzaiuoli), and though I've never stayed there, I've read good things about it. You can try Pension Pendini which is supposed to be nice (about $100/night), or for about $150/night try the Hotel Hermitage, a great small hotel at the foot of the Ponte Vecchio with a fabulous rooftop garden (I've stayed here before), or the Loggiati dei Servetei (sp) in the Piazza SS Annunziata. Not as well located but supposedly a very nice place. Wherever you stay, you MUST go to Il Latini, order the Primi Piatti and enjoy a very filling, inexpensive, incredible meal with your friends and half of Florence waiting to get in. <BR>

We just returned from Florence and stayed at the Hotel Pendini. The location is fantastic. The hotel is very nice - small rooms and bathroom as are most in Italy. I would recommend it. The owner is very nice - Emanuelle. They have free e-mail too! Two years ago I stayed at La Residenza which is very nice too. <BR>

Hotel Calzaiuoli at #6 of the road of the same name is very well located. Fax is 011-39-55-268310. Give them a try--right around $100, I think. <BR>

Sorry---totally misread your post. You said the Calzaiuoli was sold out!! In that case, the Della Signoria is closeby--fax at 011-39-55-216101. Also concur with the Pendini and Hermitage. There's also the Quisisana e Pontevecchio, the "Room with a View" hotel. Almost all smaller hotels in Italy include breakfast with your room--only in the very big business hotels do you have room service or big breakfasts. Your breakfast will consist of a regular hard roll, a sweet roll or croisant and coffee. Sometimes fruits are available too. Some suggestions for little trattorias are Za-Za, Chingale Bianco, Mamma Gina (across the P.Vecchio on the other bank), La Nandina. I would have my hotel concierge make a reservation at any restaurant in Florence--it can get very crowded and they are closed on various days. Il Latini has a funny reservation system--ask--and you should be aware that you will sit at long tables with others. Hope this helps <BR>

We stayed at the CASCI two blocks north of the Duomo in Florence in the spring. <BR>It was great; the management was helpful; and they have email to correspond. We had a room on the courtyard (it's quieter). I know you can find them on the internet under the Italian reservation systems. If you're interested just email me and I'll find it for you. Also our favorite place to eat was at LaMaremmas close to Santa Croce. The food was wonderful. M. Ham