3 Week European Trip

It was a really wonderful trip to Europe, as we had a 3-week holiday period. We decided to visit three European cities but chose only the first location and were to choose the next two during our stay.

Before departing we found splendid hotel in Barcelona through Europe Cities hotel comparison engine. This hotel really deserved to be the best hotel in the ranking. Location is perfect, we didn't use the metro at all, you could reach everywhere by walking.

The staff was very helpful about everything (where to go where to eat etc.) and friendly. I really recommend that hotel if u are travelling to Barcelona!

After a week of visiting Spain we used EC booking services again to book hotel in Zurich. The city was so much different from Barcelona - we enjoyed this diversity. Again a week passed very quickly and we was to change location. Our choice was obvious - to be in Europe and not to visit Rome it would be foolish.

We did our reservation with Europe Cities again. Again we didn't have a thing to complain about. And Europe - it was wonderful, we saw three different cities, a three different faces of Europe, and it was worth it. Three most enjoyable weeks of my life.

Weak Dollar Threatens European Tourism

European hoteliers fear that the weakness of the Dollar against the Euro will force many Americans into re-thinking their vacation itineraries. With the greenback taking a 35 percent drubbing in the last 5 years, booking that hip Paris luxury hotel or the chic Rome hotel is becoming staggeringly expensive.

And this, says the boutique and luxury hotel company, Luxique, could trigger some handy bargains for the canny non-US tourist, especially at the high end of the market.

Now that Spring in Europe is grudgingly making its appearance, all the great European capitals will be in competition for the attention of the short-break tourist.

Luxique?s CEO, Alex Brey, said: ?We?re focusing on Paris and Rome this Spring ? both great places for a romantic break and both with hundreds of hotels competing for business. That said, three of the top award-winning Paris luxury hotels, Ritz Paris, Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris, and the H�tel Plaza Ath�n�e will still charge you over a 1000 dollars per night for a Deluxe Double room.?

A provocative and tongue-in-cheek blog recently suggested that Rome far outstripped Paris in terms of a pleasant European experience. Needless to say, the blog elicited some fervent comments for and against. Perhaps the best and most diplomatic summing-up was this: ?Why should one be better than the other? They?re different, that?s all.?

The answer is, of course, that if you have time, visit both. There are regular flights between Paris and Rome or an overnight sleeper rail service that takes around fourteen and a half hours.

On the Luxique website, you?ll find great rates at some of the best design, boutique and luxury hotels in Paris and Rome as well as city guides with advice about what to see and how best to get around.

Vive la Difference!

Paris has dozens of partner cities throughout the world, but only one other qualifies as its ?sister city? and that?s Rome. The two have a saying, ?Only Paris is worthy of Rome, only Rome is worthy of Paris.?

It all sounds very chummy, but now that spring in Europe is grudgingly making its appearance, these two great cities will be in competition for the attention of the short-break tourist.

Paris has always traditionally been the passionate heart of Europe, but lovers emerging from winter hibernation shouldn?t discount the Eternal City, as Rome is fondly nicknamed. After all, who could forget such classic romantic movies as Three Coins In The Fountain and Roman Holiday?

I came across a provocative and tongue-in-cheek blog the other day that suggested Rome far outstripped Paris in terms of a pleasant European experience. Oddly, the writer is actually a resident of Paris, so perhaps the honeymoon period passes when you start living somewhere. There were about two dozen pro-Rome statements proffered, although one of these was ?the ocean is nearby? (it?s actually about 17 miles away at the last count).

Needless to say, the blog elicited some fervent comments for and against. Said one: ?How can Paris be better than Rome in any sense? Paris is just marketing, the French are masters in self-promotion from food to fashion. Just look at Paris?s main symbol ? it?s a bunch of steel rods! Can this even be compared to the Colosseum?? A bit harsh on the iconic and beautiful Eiffel Tower and on a city that can also boast the Arc de Triomphe, the cathedral of Notre Dame and the Mona Lisa!

Perhaps the best and most diplomatic summing-up was this: ?Why should one be better than the other? They?re different, that?s all.?

Too true - and the answer is, of course, that if you have time, visit both. There are regular flights between Paris and Rome or an overnight sleeper rail service that takes around fourteen and a half hours.

Shop around on the web and you?ll find some of the best design, boutique and luxury hotels in Paris and Rome as well as city guides with advice about what to see and how best to get around.

Landboarding trip to Ireland

Isn?t it incredible that flying is cheaper than the railways? And driving is cheaper than the railways? It used to do exasperate, frustrate and infuriate me that a journey from the UK to most cities in Europe was so difficult to arrange by train, and so ridiculously simple to organise by flying. I?ve no anger left on this subject, just a weary resignation that we?re living in a culture far removed from energy efficiency and respect for the Earth?s resources, together with a Green movement so hysterically charged and preachy that for the common man there is no middle ground.

It?s not just that flying is cheaper; it?s easier to sort out. There is a range of web sites that offers information on rail travel in the UK and throughout Europe. Apart from fares to Ireland, rail travel prices are hugely expensive compared to flying, and working out the times and connections are fiddly, complicated and unreliable. You pay tons more for high speed services across Europe, and the cheaper trains mean a seemingly simple trip from, say, London to Prague, takes over 36 hours, including an overnight stay on a freezing cold platform somewhere in North West Germany. A flight takes a few hours and on a budget airline, works out around 90 percent cheaper.

Right now I?m booking a trip to Ireland to go landboarding around the coast of Donegal. Although an overnight rail-ferry-rail trip to Ireland works out cheaper than a train from London to Manchester, there are no railway stations in Donegal ? the Irish neglected their rail infrastructure as much as the British, despite both countries? efforts to revitalise services.

I can?t even take the train to the airport. The train times don?t match the time of the flight, so I?ve got to drive to Heathrow, parking my car their. Heathrow airport parking adds to the overall cost of the trip considerably, so I do a search online to see if there are any budget airport parking companies.

There?s Belfast airport parking but I?m not taking the car on the plane so that?s not necessary though I do need to hire a car from there. Bristol airport parking looks cheap but I can?t fly from there to where I want in Ireland because there they?re booked up.

Birmingham airport parking looks good until I realise I?m wasting time trying to save money on parking my car at the airport but not considering that the convenience of Heathrow airport parking might possibly outweigh the cost seeing as it?s nearer and therefore will save me on fuel.

Then there?s the luggage ? a landboard and a couple of large foil kites wont count as hand luggage and I know some airlines charge lots for surfboards and a landboard (looks like a large skateboard but with big air filled tyres on it) is fairly bulky.

I spend an entire afternoon drudging through different flight times, different airports, different airlines, and different airport parking. For some reason Edinburgh airport parking is free while meet and greet parking is available at some airports, whatever that is, though I guess it means you pay extra for some kind of concierge service.

Stansted airport parking looks reasonable if I book a budget flight, but the airline at Heathrow airport is more reliable than most of those cheap airlines. I decide to buy a special bag for my landboard, just in case whatever airport I fly from has some weird ban on skateboards. The bag is made from tough nylon and could pass for a conventional holdall.

Maybe I could get a bus to the airport? That would do away with the hassle of airport parking and the often high charges associated with it. But coaches take ages, and stop all over the place, and get stuck in traffic just like cars. I look at the prices and unless you book really early it works out more than buying petrol for the equivalent distance in the car.

I decide on Heathrow airport, as the Heathrow airport parking facilities seem reasonable enough, and it is the nearest airport to me. Why would I want to drive to Teesside airport, parking my car there just to save a few quid? Though Cardiff airport is, I suddenly remember, nearer to me, and Cardiff airport parking has got to be easier ? smaller airport, fewer cars, equals less fuss? I don?t count on it though. I imagine: these massive airport parking lots; thousands of identikit cars in which somewhere is yours; where you spend half a day looking for it.

The long sandy beaches of Donegal beckon, and the wind and tide forecasts are just right for a great 3 days of kiting and being blown around by Mother Nature.

In the event Heathrow airport parking proved less stressful than I imagined, but on the flight over my anger over why I couldn?t simply have got a rail-ferry ticket over to Ireland resumed. This constant limitation on transport and promotion of flying has left the railways and ferry companies unable to compete, with the possible exception of certain types of freight.

I suppose I could have got the rail-ferry ticket to Dublin, then a train as far up the west coast as I could, and then hired a car. Maybe next time I will. I just have these haunting memories of previous attempts to negotiate Ireland by public transport then at the point where I needed to hire a car found everything closed because everyone had gone to the races or the pub or something.

Landboarding and kiting in Ireland is great fun by the way. The sport is still in its youth there, which means less people and more space on the sands. In fact you can find some beaches, especially around Kerry, that are utterly empty. 5-mile long beaches. Completely, blissfully, beautifully deserted!

Now that?s worth the stresses of flying and driving and airport parking ? surely?

Scottish island experience

She just had to choose a remote Scottish island to visit a friend; who couldn?t put us up because there wasn?t enough space; who lived so far from the only hotel that without a car it?d be tricky to be able to meet up. Since we couldn?t afford to take the car on the ferry (parking at the port was still incredibly expensive) and her friend didn?t have one then it was unlikely we would meet up without incurring further expenses from hiring taxis. And that?s if there were any. We were venturing into the unknown, an unknown friend in an unknown set of circumstances. The only thing we were sure of that the only place to stay was a ridiculously luxury hotel that had eaten four-fifths of our budget.

I suggested calling the whole thing off. This proved to be a strategic error. She kicked off - you just couldn?t let your friends down apparently. I could see she had her doubts but she was using my lack of timing to channel that into a general cumulative stress release that resulted in me feeling remarkably foolish, followed by a keen desire to be quiet and never give any type of opinion likely to cause even the slightest conflict. We were definitely going to a remote Scottish island large enough to need a car to get around but with out a car and therefore no reasonable means of actually meeting her friend.

Even if it meant spending our entire time waiting around in a large luxury hotel in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the sea to catch a glimpse of this elusive friend.

The irony was I had always wanted to visit a Scottish island. The mountainous scenery and rocky shores and wildlife seemed unattainable ? a far away place that if I?d gone to I would have never returned.

But this visit?s background emotional context seemed to throw my desire to engage in the culture and geographical splendour of this ancient land and seascape, it seemed to hammer it down into the base gravel of her road, her interests, her unshakeable determination to visit a friend who hardly seemed in need of a visit.

The weather must have changed a thousand times as we drove north. Weather fronts swung in, sun, rain, wind, hitting us each time with a different flavour of feeling. Engaging with nature this way was mesmerising and cathartic. Crossing the border and winding our way through the Scottish mountains sent our spirits up a level.

We weren?t heading for a luxury hotel in Paris or a luxury hotel in New York, but a rather pompous sounding one in a land that didn?t need to shout or self-congratulate itself. The wilds of Scotland hardly needed to speak for themselves. It was like a dream.

600 miles from home, a tiny ferry chugged us across a strip of sea to the Island. My thoughts of despair at not having the security blanket of a car disappeared as a soft Atlantic breeze caught our hair as we took our first footsteps on the quay.

Then a cute little trailer truck train thingy pulled up and offered us a free lift to the one and only hotel on the Island! Immediately we felt welcomed to what I had previously thought would be a hostile foreboding place. 10 miles long and five miles wide, the Island was sparsely populated and it turned out we were at the other end from her friend?s place. At least we were getting a lift to the hotel.

The exterior of the hotel was grand and imposing, like a castle. Maybe it was a castle. Oh, it is a castle, that?s used as a hotel. Fine. She smiled as the sun briefly shone through the clouds that were now shooting across the sky in the increasing breeze. This may not have been a luxury hotel in Rome but there was something uniquely romantic about this place.

The trailer truck trundled through the large oak gates and into a cobbled courtyard; we entered the main hotel doors, and found ourselves in a large lobby reception area, a real wood fire crackling away at one end. The warmth of this large, high ceiling room felt a continuity of the islands welcome.

It was now 7 hours and 30 minutes since I last felt any trepidation or gloom about going away on a seemingly pointless and expensive holiday just for the sake of meeting a friend who wasn?t even sure they could meet us.

But when it turned out her friend didn?t even know where we were staying and wasn?t answering the telephone I sulked in the grandiose bedroom that was costing us considerably more than the outstanding bills on the kitchen table back home.

I rarely think about the future, because if I add up everything from the present and multiply by it by my expectations then look back and see if that?s happened in the previous two years it doesn?t change, just goes on as a constant. Even if I dispense with my expectations so as to avoid disappointment I?m still struggling to maintain the constant.

In the 1960?s a man walked on the moon and people dreamed of a free and progressive future. Today it seems all this has resulted in is our ability to use computers to switch electricity suppliers. Fascinating.

Our room is on the third floor, it feels and indeed is, high up. I look out across the Atlantic Ocean; white horses appear and disappear on the swell. The weather is edging towards a storm. Rain starts to patter against the tiny windows. Just yards from the castle grounds a long sandy beach trails away round a small headland.

When I reach it I revel in the fact that I am the only person on the beach. I run, walk, stop, change direction, and I?m getting soaking wet. She?s gone to see her friend, courtesy of the chugging trailer truck thingy. I can?t afford to stay forever in a large luxury hotel, but I?m going to find a way to stay on this island forever.

Rome and its luxurious past and present

Rome is called the Eternal City and is truly a city with eternal delights. Do you bear a love for history? Are you interested in ancient architecture and temples? If so then you need to explore the ancient lands of Rome.

Rome's palaces, museums and ancient historical monuments are so countless that even Rome?s locals have not seen all of its many treasures. As one of the world's most historic and ancient cities, Rome plays host to millions of tourists each year. From the old world opulence of the Roman Forum and the Catacombs to the serene natural beauty of Villa Borghese, Rome oozes grandeur.

The central attractions of Rome are the Palatine Hill and the Forum. Via Del Corso is located north from the Forum to Piazza Del Popolo, accompanied by Spanish steps and the Trevi Fountain on the east. The Vatican is situated northwest of the Forum, across the River Tiber in Rome.

The Colosseum is a reigning symbol of Ancient Rome and one of the city's flagship monuments. One must view the Colosseum not just as a hallmark of Roman architectural prowess but also as the venue of lavish public spectacles and gladiatorial combat. For nearly 500 years, the Colosseum was used as the site of gladiatorial games, mock sea battles, animal hunts, dramas based on Classical mythology and executions - maintaining its status as a prime feature of the greatness of the Roman Empire and an enduring symbol of the power of the Emperor.

Another Roman ruin that draws the fascination of thousands of tourists every year is the Baths of Caracalla. The baths incorporate a complex that covers approximately 13 hectares and could accommodate up to 1600 bathers in its prime - more of a luxury leisure complex than a simple series of baths. As well as a range of temperature controlled bathing rooms and pool areas, the Baths of Caracalla also incorporates a public library and a shopping centre - indicative of the Baths' status as one of Rome's most indulgent hotspots.

The abundance of Renaissance and Baroque architecture in Rome is also a prominent indicator of its affluent heritage, with the Piazza del Campidoglio often cited as the most impressive example of Renaissance creation in the city. Designed by Michelangelo, the piazza was initially constructed as a symbol of the new Rome in 1538, in order to impress Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor.

Other marks of Rome's grand Renaissance period include the Palazzo del Quirinale (now the seat of the President of Italy) the Palazzo Venezia and the Palazzo Farnese - all of which were opulent palaces built by Rome's most famous aristocratic families. Additionally, the Fontana di Trevi acts as Rome's most enduring representation of Baroque architecture, and is one of the city's most cherished monuments by residents and travelers alike.

For a true taste of Rome?s grandeur and luxurious past, there are plenty of luxury hotels and boutique hotels to choose from located in the heart of this historic city. This way, you'll be able to enjoy the benefits of high quality accommodation while exploring the magnificence of the city's most famous sights at the same time - the perfect recipe for a true understanding of Roman luxury!

Italy – The luxury travellers choice

Rome - ?The city of Ceasars, romance and la dolce vita? - A.Moreton.

Rome was not built in a day and has the spectacular treasures to prove it. Rome has provided the pretty backdrop to many a Hollywood movie: Three Coins In The Fountain, Seven Hills of Rome and Roman Holiday to name but three.

It?s the city of the Caesars, of romance, the city of la dolce vita and long sunny days, the city of endless art, churches and museums, fountain-splashed piazzas and majestic monuments to its golden age of empire. Those monuments will already be familiar to many ? the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, St Peter?s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. But one of the greatest pleasures of exploring Rome is the number of times you stumble across hidden corners, wonderful viewpoints, evocative street scenes and touching vignettes of daily life.

The ancient town of Tivoli is the most popular one-day excursion from Rome. Some 20 miles from the city centre, it?s known for two main sights, the Villa d?Este, a Renaissance villa celebrated for its Gardens, and the Villa Adriana , a vast villa and grounds created by the Emperor Hadrian.

Trains run from main termini to Tivoli, but this can be a slow journey.

Buses depart every 10 or 20 minutes from the Ponte Mammolo Metro station (Line B). The journey time is 50 minutes. If you have time to spare, Frascati offers a cool, calm retreat from Rome?s heat and hustle.

The Villa Aldobrandini was built at the end of the 16th century and was one of the few old buildings to survive the bombing during 1943 and 1944 that destroyed 80 percent of old Frascati. The villa itself is closed to the public, but some of the grounds are open and offer excellent views of Rome in the hazy distance. Trains depart from main termini every hour and the journey takes 30 minutes.


Helpful Hints about Rome

Language
Italian is delightfully easy on the ear and relatively easy to learn. A few polite phrases might break the ice. Try Buongiorno (Good morning) or Bueno sera (Good evening). Come sta? (How Are You?) or Quanto costa? (How much?)

Currency and Tipping
The Italians use the Euro, made up of 100 cents. Tipping is not expected for all services, and rates are lower than those elsewhere. As a general guide, cabs: round up to the nearest 50 cents; restaurants: around 2 Euros 50; porters: 1 Euro a bag.
Dress Code
Rome can be extremely uncomfortable in the high summer, with temperatures of over 35 degrees Celsius in July and August. Light clothes and sensible planning will prevent you becoming hot and bothered in the Roman fray. Top restaurants might demand formal dress for dinner, but for the majority, it?s smart casual.

Safety
Rome is generally safe, but take precautions. Pickpockets are the main worry so carry money and valuables in a belt or pouch, wear your camera, leave valuables and jewellery in the hotel safe and avoid gangs of street children.

Travel
Many of Rome?s sights can be visited on foot ? there are organised walks taking in monuments and other places of interest on the way. There?s also a small, efficient (but crowded) subway system that will take you to the outskirts of the city.

Hotels
There are hundreds of Rome Luxury Hotels available so shop around online for your favourite.



Venice - ?A city built on water with unequalled beauty, which was once the World?s greatest trading empire??

Nothing quite prepares you for Venice. You can read about it, see film of it and listen to people enthuse about it, but only when you?re actually on the Grand Canal with the wind in your hair watching a Venetian sunset will you fall under its magical spell.
This is truly a place like no other ? a city built on water, where the main streets are canals; there?s traffic, but not as we know it. It?s also a city rich in art, sculpture and music. But there are many other faces to Venice.

The shopping here is as good as anywhere in Italy with all the designer names, as well as crafts such as jewellery, glass and fabrics. There are chic bars and a vibrant nightlife and little surprises round every corner. Wander from your intended route and you could find yourself in a small but beautiful piazza ? there might be a little restaurant, a chapel or a shop selling Carnival masks. This is a city for art-lovers and romantics ? and anyone who wants a brief escape from the age of the automobile.

The main trips out from the city of Venice are to the islands of Murano and Burano. Murano is like a miniature version of Venice itself, but with more modest palaces and fewer churches. Everything here revolves round the glass manufacturing industry which has been established here since 1292.

A visit to the Glass Museum or one of the many galleries is well worthwhile. Visitors to Murano might like to visit Burano on the same day. This has traditionally been a lace-making centre and the houses here are painted in a rainbow of blue, red, peppermint, russet and yellow ? colours that are attractively reflected in the waters of the canals. Both islands are reached by waterbus ? the journey?s about 40 minutes.


Helpful Hints about Venice

Language
Italian, with a Venetian accent. Italian is delightfully easy on the ear and relatively easy to learn. A few polite phrases might break the ice. Try Buongiorno (Good morning) or Bueno sera (Good evening). Come sta? (How Are You?) or Quanto costa? (How much?)

Currency and Tipping
The Italians use the Euro, made up of 100 cents. Tipping is not expected for all services, and rates are lower than those elsewhere. As a general guide, gondolas and water taxis: between 5 and 10 per cent; restaurants: around 2 Euros 50; porters: 1 Euro a bag.

Dress Code
Summer isn?t necessarily the best time to visit Venice. Apart from the crowds of tourists, the air can be unpleasantly humid. But if you are there in July or August, light cotton clothes would be ideal, with some warm jumpers for evenings on the canals. Good walking shoes are a must.

The best time to visit is from late April to early July. In the late spring, it rains less often, the air is mild and the long days allow you to dine out of doors in the light of the setting sun. If you time your visit to coincide with the famous Carnival (February), remember that the Adriatic coast is often cold and windswept. Take coat, gloves and rainwear. And in the winter and autumn (fall), remember that high tides can cause some flooding of piazzas, so make sure your shoes are fully waterproofed! Except in the very best restaurants, smart-casual is the accepted dress code.

Safety
Venice is not a dangerous city, apart from pickpockets in the most touristy areas. The usual precautions apply: carry money and valuables in a belt or pouch, wear your camera and leave valuables and jewellery in the hotel safe.

Travel
Venice itself is not so big and the best way to explore it is on foot. A good map is essential and it?s useful to locate and remember a few landmarks like the Rialto Bridge and St Mark?s Square to help you get your bearings. If you do want to go farther afield, you can either take the vaporetto or the motoscafo. The former is big and rather slow, but offers fine vistas of Venice from its open deck. The latter is low over the water and faster, with a smaller deck. You can use it to go to the islands of the lagoon. The Venice Public Transportation company, ACTV, has a useful website with full details of fares, routes and times

Hotels
A huge selection of Venice Luxury Hotels are available so shop around online to find the one that suits your needs.


Florence - ?Located in the heart of Tuscany, Florence is considered the birth place of the Renaissance??

Few nations, let alone cities, can boast of having nurtured such a remarkable heritage of artistic, literary, scientific and political talent as Florence, or Firenze. The roll call of artists and writers who lived and worked in the city is extraordinary ? Dante, Donatello, Botticelli, Michelangelo and Machiavelli, to name but a few.

Renaissance Florence remains very much intact and in evidence at every turn. However, its historic palaces, great churches, exquisite sculptures and countless other works of art are not crumbling relics but still a vivid and functional part of everyday life ? worked in, lived in, prayed in, prized by present-day Florentines and accessible to all.

Florence is far from being austere and haughty. Alongside the museums, art galleries and historic churches there are designer shops, beautiful piazzas, chic restaurants and cutting-edge clubs. It?s a city of a thousand secrets.

Independent travel to nearby cities is easy. Regional train and bus services cover the whole of Tuscany. Take the No 7 bus from Santa Maria Novella railway station for the little hill-top town of Fiesole for an escape from the city?s summer heat and wonderful views over Florence and the Arno Valley.

Roughly 50 miles west of Florence lies Pisa, the birthplace of Galileo and home of the fabled leaning tower. It can be reached by train from Florence?s mainstation, Santa Maria Novella.

Siena, 21 miles south of Florence, is a mediaeval hilltop city with a maze of narrow winding streets that have survived virtually unchanged from the 16th Century and earlier. It can be reached by Sita?s regular express bus service. If you?re in Italy on July 2 or August 16, it?s worth going out of your way to see the palio, a traditional bareback horse race that?s been held in the Piazza del Campo in Siena since the 13th Century. It?s hot, crowded and utterly crazy!


Helpful Hints Helpful Hints about Florence

Language
Italian, with a Florentine accent. Italian is delightfully easy on the ear and relatively easy to learn. A few polite phrases might break the ice. Try Buongiorno (Good morning) or Bueno sera (Good evening). Come sta? (How Are You?) or Quanto costa? (How much?)

Currency and Tipping
The Italians use the Euro, made up of 100 cents. Tipping is not expected for all services, and rates are lower than those elsewhere. As a general guide, cabs: round up to the nearest 50 cents; restaurants: around 2 Euros 50; porters: 1 Euro a bag.

Dress Code
Florence can be extremely uncomfortable in the high summer, with temperatures of over 35 degrees Celsius in July and August. Cotton and linen clothes are best for coping with the summer heat, but you?ll want a sweater or jacket for the cool evenings in spring and autumn (fall).

In winter, you?ll need warm clothes, a waterproof jacket and an umbrella. Comfortable walking shoes for the cobbled streets are highly recommended. Remember to wear respectable dress for Florence?s churches including something to cover bare shoulders.

Safety
Florence is generally safe, but take precautions. Pickpockets are the main worry so carry money and valuables in a belt or pouch, wear your camera and leave valuables and jewellery in the hotel safe.

Travel
You can easily get around the tourist areas of Florence on foot. The longest walks take twenty minutes at most as the important monuments and museums are contained within half a square mile. Hiring a car is not advised, but you?ll see many young Florentines on scooters and if you?re brave enough and can stand the competition, these can be hired for about 30 Euros a day. If you?re taking a cab, use only the official white taxis with a ?Taxi? sign on the roof.

Hotels
There are a wide selection of Florence Luxury Hotels available so shopping online is your best bet to find the perfect choice.