Hi everyone, <BR> <BR>My friends and I will be visiting Florence in September and are lookig for a plcae to stay. We would like something that is very central, within walking distance to most attractions, and moderately priced. Any suggestions. Restaurant tips would also be helpful. Thanks

<BR>Hi Amy, <BR> <BR>Last year we stayed at the Hotel Il Perseo right by the Duomo. It was about $75 per night for a good-sized double room with large bath. It's on the 4th and 5th floor of a building with elevator. The hotel was clean and management friendly. I would recommend the Il Perseo and would stay there again when I return to Florence. <BR> <BR>Happy Travels, <BR> <BR>Adrienne <BR>

<BR>Amy, <BR> <BR>Forgot to include the web site: <BR> <BR>http://www.venere.com/it/firenze/perseo/ <BR> <BR>Adrienne <BR>

The Hotel Aprile is near to the station and within easy walking distance of all the main sights. Lovely courtyard where breakfast is served

As to central location..I'd reccomend near the Ponte Vecchio/Piazza di la Signoria or the Piazza Republica or near the Duomo...these are the nicest central areas..I don't care to be close to the train station as this is not as nice or convenient.

Forget downtown! Stay in Fiesole at the top of the hill at the Villa Auroa. Get a room with a balcony overlooking Florence. The option is a room on the other side overlooking the square with a view over the fountain of the 12th century cathedral about 70 yds away. The #7 bus runs from the front door of the hotel down the hill through the gut of all the major sites and ends at the train station, which is on one edge of all the good stuff. Bus is about 25 cents and takes about half hour from start to stop. Places to eat: out the front door of the hotel straight across the square and into a great informal spot with out door dining on the square weather permitting. One door to the right is an ice cream palor snack shop, a few doors further to the right is the l'Popa, very cozy slightly more formal and I'd almost pay you to eat there and tell me about every bite. The lamb was spectacular and I cry every night that I didn't know about port and biscty before then. Behind the restrnts is a fabulous Roman theater, baths, temple of Minevera, Etruscan ruins and a nifty museum. In Florence the best food value (lunch) is the cafeteria style shop almost directly across from the entrance to the Duomo. Take your eats upstairs(several floors) and sit at any numer of windows with a dead-on view of the Duomo. If you ever see me you will kiss my feet for this advice. The downside of a room on the square side (if you like to sleep in) is the church bell, the first bong at 6 am will paste your belly button to the ceiling (look for my initials next to the imprints). Don't fear the bus, you get on at the turn around at the top of the hill, so it is empty and if you get on at the train depot for the return trip you are still the first one on. The evening walks in Fiesole will be memorable, the walks in Florence, horrible. The traffic is unnerving. Fiesole is a dream come true and minutes from all the majors.

I've stayed at Il Perseo twice and also recommend it. At the time it was run by 2 Australian ladies and an Italian guy who were all very friendly and helpful.

Hi Amy, <BR> <BR>While in Florence, I stayed at the Hotel Alessandra for 8 nights(in March 2001). Great location - very near the Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio and the Piazza di la Signoria. The staff and owners were very friendly and helpful. <BR> <BR>Hotel Alessandra web site <BR>http://www.hotelalessandra.com <BR> <BR>

Hi <BR>I agree with Tom. Get out of the airpolluted town. Stay in the Fieslole hill with the fresh air and the marvellous Florence overview. We stayed at Pensione Bencista in June '98. Couldn't wish for more.... <BR>Bjorn, Oslo

goo web sight for Florence is www.english.firenze.net you can get the latest on museums,weather,virtual views of the town, book museum tickets in advance, good food picks etc

Haven't been to Florence for several years, but we loved the little pensione we stayed at. It was jsut at the foot of Ponte Vechio. called pittti palace. had a wonderful terrrace for breakfast. The owners were an Italian man whose family had been in hotel bussiness for ages, and his American wife who had come to Florence to study Art h istory, they met, SUMERTIME all over again in real life. We had a large room. wonderful bath, great breakfast,english speakers, and a totalyy good experience. i just checked to see if they were stillthere and they are. We both prefered Alto arno(Sp).,, I hate staying near rail stations, areas are never too pleasant. . we were in walking distance of everything, however we are both great walkers, so maybe I should'nt say that. we really would stay there again if we go to It. anytime soon. France has been our destination of choice lately but Italy is starting to get to me!!!!!!PLEASE EXCUSE typing errors, my mouse is on it's last legs and I have a hard time correctimg mistakes!!

I have just posted 2 repys and they are not showing, this time I WILL copy them/ <BR>we have not been to Florence for several years but when we did go we stayed at hotel Pitti Paa;ace,alta arno. I hate staying near train stations, never nice. The people have been in hotel business for years, the present owners wife is American, she came to study art history , fell in love and never left. SUMMERTIME, in real life1 Our room was quite large, wonderful bath great breakfast on a terrace overlooking Ponte Vecchio in warm weather, and in walking distance of everything. Of course most things in florence are within walking distance if you are a walker as we are, <BR>Check them out, we would certainly stay there again

After Tom's note, who could resist? So I did a Google search and came up with this awesome Fiesole website: <BR>http://www.comune.fiesole.fi.it/new_...ish/index.html