We are going to be staying in the Oltr'Arno district on our next visit to Firenze in October. We will then go south to the area around Pitigliano for a week. <BR><BR>In the Oltr'Arno, we ahve been to the Brancacci, Santo Spirito and have eaten at Casalinga. We are looking to suggestions for hotels, restaurants and things to do. We will be going to the Pitti and Boboli. We like traditional Tuscan cooking although we do like updated versions as well.

I should add that price is not a major factor, we are willing to spend for very high quality or eat very cheap for authentic flavors. Wine is important so any wine bar recommendations would be great.

Pane e Vino - cute little traditional restaurant with a great wine list (a little tough to find, so ask directions).<BR><BR>Trattoria Quattro Leoni - food was good (not great, but good) and it had a nice little landscaped patio in front of the restaurant.<BR><BR>If going when it will be too cool to eat outside, Pane e Vino wins hands down. Quattro Leoni was just a fun scene outdoors at the junction of several alleys/streets just a couple blocks from the Pitti Palace.

Oh yeah...Hotel Lungarno is a nice choice. They also have a related hotel, Hotel Gallery Art that is cool if you're into modern. It's styled like a W Hotel here in the US. We stayed at the Excelsior, but really liked the bar at the Hotel Gallery Art for drinks.

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Contact [email protected] they have a guide specialized in Oltrarno called Federico