Visiting Florence, Italy for the first time in June. Should I skip the popular tourist attractions and just explore the actual city? [more inside]
posted by kdern on May 23, 2009 - 27 answers

I need to find a cheap hotel in Florence, Italy during a large conference (April 5-10, 2008). All the conference-affiliated cheap hotels are booked. What are my options? [more inside]
posted by Alterscape on Feb 27, 2008 - 11 answers

I just landed in Italy. Help me find the Florence and Rome that no one writes about. [more inside]
posted by twins named Lugubrious and Salubrious on Dec 25, 2007 - 12 answers

What are your favorite nontraditional, nontouristy, alternative, culturally-insightful things to do in or near Venice, Florence, and Rome? I mean the deeper anthropological kind of culture, not museums, opera, etc. I'm not looking for the usual must-see tourist destinations or the things that epitomize a city. I want the fascinating little finds you accidentally stumbled on and loved, but which few or no tours would have found because they aren't "sights". If it can give me a glimpse of how contemporary Italians see the world, to appreciate a bit more what it's like to be them, that's a turbo bonus. No points off for plain old fun activities either. [more inside]
posted by Askr on Nov 6, 2007 - 12 answers

The boyfriend and I are planning a trip to Italy in late October. We are still struggling with one thing, though: what to do during planned day trips to Florence and Venice. If you had to recommend one or two destinations or experiences that really epitomize the spirit of these two cities, what would they be? [more inside]
posted by warble on Aug 20, 2007 - 25 answers

Where can I buy 4x5 Polaroid Sheet Film in Rome? [more inside]
posted by Bengston on May 13, 2007 - 1 answer

Recommendations for an intensive, short-term Italian language course in Florence?
posted by walla on Nov 26, 2006 - 8 answers

How to spend 7 days in Italy? [more inside]
posted by cosmonaught on Oct 30, 2006 - 26 answers

Going to Italy - Stay in Rome the whole trip or take a tour to several cities? [more inside]
posted by atmu on Sep 14, 2006 - 18 answers

Why can't I purchase a cheap air ticket on Italian MyAir.com from the US? [more inside]
posted by Scram on Sep 5, 2006 - 11 answers

Help me plan a trip to Italy - Rome, Florence and the countryside in Tuscany and Umbria. [more inside]
posted by thewittyname on May 19, 2006 - 24 answers

Travelling to Italy in May - looking for advice on Venice, Bologna, and Florence. [more inside]
posted by ersatzkat on Mar 8, 2006 - 23 answers

I'm travelling to Italy in late August and am looking for hotel recommendations for Milan, Florence, and Rome. I'm looking for not the most expensive, but not the least expensive. Maybe 3-4 stars? I'm also looking more for an "Italian" experience than a big chain hotel. I'd be happier in something that is smaller and older (if well kept) or more of a boutique-type place. I'll be travelling by train and won't have much more than 2 days per city, unfortunately, so a central location is important to me. If there are any Italians or Italy travellers who might be willing to advise me, I'd really appreciate it!
posted by gen on Jun 19, 2005 - 11 answers

NovelFilter: I just finished Romola, by Eliot, and didn't love it, but want to learn more about Florence in the era--a very interesting time, to put it mildly--with the Medicis, Savanarola, etc. Any good novels or non-boring non-fiction on Florence in the late 1400s-early 1500s?
posted by amberglow on Mar 18, 2005 - 11 answers

quality temporary living quarters in florence? with internet access? i have a friend who is there and could use some help... thanks in advance.
posted by specialk420 on Oct 12, 2004 - 4 answers