Nice, Florence,Venice

oh wow.. that's gonna be one hellva trip there hon!

On the way to Venice stop over in Verona of Romeo and Juliet fame. A wonderful city. Florence is great aswell.

I am not much of a night life person, but these are my sugestions.

I couple years ago I spent some time outside florence here <http://www.villaschiatti.it/english.htm>.

It's run by Patrizia Bartot. She is really nice, and her mother cooks every night. We had a '66 alfa romeo and just drove around the country side, or took the train into Florence. There is a great patio area that looks west over the valley full of fields, sunflower, squash, vinyards... all that stuff. I remember it was insanely cheap for such a nice place back then. It is between Arrezzo and Cortona. Driving distance from Sienna.

It is a train ride into florence though.

One thing you MUST do if you are in Tuscany is visit Carlo Scione over at Da Delfina in Artimino. It has got to be one of the most charming and delicious experinces in anyones life. It is a bit difficult to find, but let Carlo know you are coming and it will be taken care of. I had my wedding reception there and it was fantastic. A full seven course meal, paired wine for each dish, apertifs and digestifs for about $75 a head (2001). It looks out over a Medici Villa (now that I think about it you can stay there for a little over 100 a night). It has nice ammenities and gardens overlooking the Arno.

In Florence:

http://rentflorencecity.com/english/dante/

don't bother with hotels, they'll rip your off,
live in the smacking center, I did
;-)

Venice and Florence are really nice!!!

just booked this one for venice..pretty sweet
http://www.deidogi.boscolohotels.com/

appreciated

Watch out for Gypsy's, they do exist and they
will get ya!