Any favorite places to stay? How about Assisi?
For hotel recs, time of year, general lodging preferences and budget will help.
Wonderful destination.
We stayed at the Hotel Pendini in Florence (http://www.hotelpendini.it/index_eng.html) in April 2014. I got the hotel from a CC thread, so you might try researching other threads on CC. Pendini is centrally located on the Piazza della Repubblica about 5 minutes from the Duomo. It is also a 10-15 minute walk from the main train station, Santa Maria Novella. If you are in Florence on Easter (Sunday, April 5 2015), be sure to watch the ‘Scoppio del Carro’ or ‘Explosion of the Cart,’ which takes place in front of the Duomo. (http://www.visitflorence.com/florence-events/explosion-of-the-cart-easter.html) But be forewarned: to get a good view of the procession & the cart in the crowds, you will need to stake out a position in front of the Duomo & stand for at least 2 hours prior to the procession (around 8:30-9 am). The crowds are enormous, but watching this 350-year old tradition was a once-in-a-lifetime event.
thank you will look into it. we will be there in May
We stayed at the Hotel Brunelleschi a block from the Duomo. It was wonderful and inexpensive in the off season.
Interestingly, in Dan Brown’s latest novel, set in Florence, the main character also stayed there.
I would take a train (or drive) from Milan to Florence instead of flying. They often cancel flights because of whatever.
I’ve stayed at the Excelsior and the Grand hotel. Florence is one of my favorite cities. My family used to go there often. A lot of good memories. It is a walking city, very easy to get around.
We’ve stayed at the Hotel Boccaccio on via della Scalla. It’s steps from the Maria Novella train station, clean, relatively inexpensive and has a great English speaking staff.
For the best pizza: Gusta Pizza
For the best gelato: Gelateria Santa Trinita
Both of these are off via Maggio on the other side of the river (cross Ponte Santa Trinita)
Also recommended: Obika Mozzarella Bar on via de Tornabuoni (it’s a chain but this one is nice)
And be sure to visit the Mercato San Lorenzo. Downstairs is a fabulous food market and upstairs is a food court with all sorts of food vendors. Great place to get coffee and pastries in the morning.
Of course, you almost can’t go wrong getting great food in Florence.
Liked the Continentale (there late 2013)- a small hotel, one of 3 Lungarno (Ferragamo) hotels in the city. Near everything (not hard to achieve in central Florence), contemporary feel, rooftop bar with great views and helpful staff. Next to the Ponte Vecchio, but on a quiet little street. We had a huge walk in closet that functioned as a dressing room. Many unique rooms and they were happy to show us a few to choose from when we were there off season. Good breakfast options available at any of the properties. Also stayed at the Degli Orafi next to the Uffizi overlooking the Arno several years ago and had a good experience in this more classically styled, small hotel.
Liked the Golden View Open for cappuccino, as well as meals, overlooking the Arno.
Enjoy your trip.
We were there in September and splurged on Firenze Number Nine, one of the top-rated hotels on tripadvisor.
I loved Florence and second megpmom’s suggestion of San Lorenzo Market.
Our stay in that city was anything but typical. There was terrible hail storm. We lucked out, as we had just ducked into a restaurant by the market. The wind and hail were so bad, I could overhear people saying “Apocalypse! Apocalypse!” By the time it was over, motor-scooters were laying all over the streets. Many of the tents outside the market blew over, leaving leather goods on top of all the hailstones. The hailstones were 3" deep. I helped two of the vendors pick up items. When we returned to our hotel, we found the main floor had flooded. It was scary. I’m sure you can ask about it when you visit. It was something no one could ever forget.
Assisi was my favorite small city in Italy. I can’t remember the name of the place we stayed but it was just outside the city gates. We just drove up and asked for a room - those were the days. Anyway, the whole city is built on top of a rocky hill with the big cathedral at one end. It looks like a huge ship. We were afraid they would actually close those gates at midnight but they don’t.
It’s a beautiful place, easy to walk everywhere and every thing is very picturesque although there are lots of religious chotchkas for sale. The cathedral with its Giotto frescos is huge and free and the brothers are everywhere giving tours in many languages. Francis’ story is very interesting especially his missing (stolen!) body that was found recently. St. Clare’s story is interesting as well and her cathedral is in a town close by. That area is just about where the olive trees start to grow and is close to Perugia with it’s chocolate factory (although it was closed when we were there).
Thank you for the replies some of those hotels are booked already glad I asked