Tuscany

Elba

In 1997 we traveled to the Isola Elba and it turned out to be a most enjoyable stay. We were not quite up on our history when we headed out but of course now we know, this is where Napoleon was imprisoned.

Lots of beaches

Hotel Tre Colonne

You catch the ferry to Elba in the town of Piombino and it is about a 45 minute trip to the Island and you land in Portoferrario. No problem as long as you are not traveling in August — that is the big vacation month in Italy and the Island is jammed with Italian families. As long as you are there in a month other than August the roads are easy to drive. We ended up in the Marina di Campo area - a wonderful long sandy beach and we decide to stay at the Hotel Tre Colonne. It is one of our Great Places To Stay.

The Island of Elba was larger than we had expected and it is quite hilly

The harbour of Porto Azzurro is typical of those with boats a plenty but we actually found that Campo di Marina had a better feel.

Firenze

Firenze For many a trip to Italy is a trip to Florence. We have visited Florence numerous times, sometimes staying in the city and other times outside. When staying outside you leave the city at the end of the day exhaused from the walking to arrive back at much more peaceful country setting. It has its advantages. You do, howver, miss the great evenings walks picking up great gelato.

The crowds will tire you but the sights will inspire.

Once year we stayed in Pistoia and took the train into Florence. In theory it should have been simple. The train schedule and performance, however, meant we missed a good part of the day travelling. Mind you, we found some of the best gelto in Italy in Pistoia and the town has a number of sights.

On other trips, Florence has benn a day visit with us braving the drive into the town, finding a place to park the car (difficult and expensive), enjoying the city and then leaving. Read parking signs very carefully. Having your car towed in Florence is an experience not to be repeated. But when you arrive at the very large "holding lot" you will find that you are just one of the many returning to recover their car at the end of the day..

When we stayed in city, be prepared to pay a hefty price for a room, and if the hotel is on any of the main streets it will be noisy. The payoff is that you can walk around in the evening, enjoy great ice cream and drinks and then return to your hotel.

On one trip the Pensione Bretagne, Lungarno Corsini, 6 met our needs very nicely. No parking so if you arrive with a car it is a problem. We did not understand the directions or signs correctly so had the experience of finding out car after it had been towed from a lot in the night. Great way to see the city but expensive. But the Pensione Bretagne has some real "old world charme", has a breakfast room with a ceiling and views over the river that are right up there in your list of experiences.

On another trip, we arrived in town with no reservations, had a horrible time looking for a place - impossible with a car and a real test of the marriage - and ended up staying at the Villa Fiesole, via Beato Angelico, 35; in Fiesole located 15 km out of town on the hill overlooking the city. It was very nice.. So there are the real two extremes.

No need to recit the sites to see. On your lists of musts make sure they include the Duomo, the Baptistry and the Cathedral Museum. The Uffizi now has a reservation system where you can book an entry time and that is well worth it. Endless lines to get in.There is also the Bargello. You will walk the Ponte Vecchio and we found that there were better deals on silver and gold in other locations around Italy. The churches are many but Santa Croce, Santa Maria Novella and Santa Maria del Carmine are ones of note... hard to say that and leave out others. Plan you day so that you get a good time in at the Accademia.

But, on every trip we have had a lunch or dinner at Ristorante Mamma Gina (See Great Places)- it is a tradition for us and a restaurant you will sure to enjoy.

In 2006 we had the pleasure of staying at Residenza d'Epoca - InPiazzaDellaSignoria - a wonderful place to stay located right in the heart of Florence - Piazza Signoria. This instantly made our list of Great Places To Stay and we are looking forward to returning to stay here in 2007.

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Tuscany

Elba

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