Spent 11 and 8 days in Italy in November, 1998 and 1999 respectively. Great time of year to be in Italy, IMHO. In Rome we stayed in Hotel Margutta - smallest rooms I've ever seen - I wouldn't recommend it! Only one of us could walk around the room at a time. And the bed was 2 cots banded together. In Florence, we stayed in Hotel Casci (Via Cavour, 13) great location, great rates, huge rooms and good breakfast. In Italy we found the average breakfast to be a hard roll and coffee. I don't know what Hotel Casci's web site is, but the email is [email protected] While in Florence, we did the "I Bike Italy" one day tour and loved it. Several of our friends have done it since, on our recommendation, and it has always been a big hit. We've always had a car, so I don't have any advise about the train. We liked Pisa but it was very crowded. Siena was one of our favorites and shouldn't be missed. In Venice we stayed in the Hotel Locanda Fiorita and we wouldn't recommend it. We have stayed in some fabulous places but they were in small towns that I'm not sure you'll be able to get to without a car. I hope you have a great time!