http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32862 With the added advantage of picturesque outdoor street market, with quality leather in all shades of the rainbow and styles from briefcase to handbags.
Mercato nuovo smaller market next to statute of il porcellino - the saying goes if you touch it you will return again, which would be wonderful mixing sightseeing, great food and shopping.
Ponte Vecchio for the special present of jewellery and watches.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32862 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26539 Hotel Il Perseo

I have been staying at this hotel since early 1998 and have returned in every year except one, since. The building has changed a great deal since those early days and is now modern and has every facility.

I am now 69 and would be perfectly happy to stay here alone. The staff are fantastically helpful and have a vast knowledge of their city. Louise (New zealander/Italian), and Laura (Italian) are exceptionally helpful and will book museums, restaurants etc willingly. They will tell you the italian for something you might want to buy in case the shop does not speak other languages. Wonderful!!

The rooms are comfortable, very clean and bright, with ensuites and TV. Some have outstanding views over the city. Breakfast is a good, varied buffet with loads of tea, coffee, juice etc.

It takes less than two minutes to walk to the duomo and five to Mercato Centrale (a must for food lovers). All major places of interest are within easy walking distance.

I have stayed in hotels of all star ratings from no star to five-star, huts in the african bush, YHA's etc but this is one place I return to again and again where the staff feel like old friends and the welcome is superb. GO THERE!!
The value for money is unquestionable.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26539 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13731
The trip takes you about 1h and 50 min and it is all worth it. You dart through Tuscany at 200 km an hour on your way to Florence and you see for yourself the undulating hills, the cypress trees and on the top of the hill, villas and agriturismi Tuscany is known for.

And once you get to Florence go off the beaten tourist track – do visit the market of Florence and dive into the colourful atmosphere, the smell of leather and the art of bargaining. You can find there some great gift to carry home – especially the pashmina shawls and the silk ties.

I love going to Florence from Rome – even for a day and if you find the time to do it you will not regret it.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13731 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12422 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12422 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9237 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9237 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8580 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8580 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4667
More fabulous Italian food than you can poke a stick at - and infinitely better priced than those “Tuscan specialty” shops pitched at tourists. If you plan to drag home your own body weight in formaggi, porcini, salsicce, lenticche and vino then this is the place for you. Also a few sit-down places for a super-cheap lunch - mind the pigeons though.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4667 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4340 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4340