Excellent advice from USAFAN.

Diesel is much cheaper in Italy; however there are not that many diesel rental cars in Germany, so an advance request may be a good idea. Modern European turbodiesels are very pleasant, being much torquier than equivalent gasoline-powered cars.

Most rental companies specifically prohibit entering Italy, due to high theft rates.

As for hotels in Florence, looking just outside of the main tourist area will yield much lower rates. Do avoid the noisy and not-too-secure SMN train station neighborhood if possible, though; most of the affordable hotels in booking engines are located there.

[This message has been edited by monahos (edited 04-07-2002).]