Hello all, I have been lost to real life for several years, but am now back to ask a question. I will be travelling to Italy this upcoming October. We are flying into Rome, spending three days there, travelling to Florence (Chianti) and spending 2 days there with a half day travel to Pisa, and then finishing our trip in Venice for a day and a half. Could anyone suggest some great B&B type places to stay in Florence? I would love to stay just outside the city in Chianti maybe so that we can see the Tuscan landscape, but also easily make it into Florence for the touristy things. I am also looking for a place in Venice, but may have found the perfect place at Ponte Chiodo Guest House. I am waiting to hear back on their availability. While in Rome, I believe we are going to try the Daphne Inn. So if anyone has information on this place as well, it would be very helpful.

Also, Our trip home (to the states) has us with a long layover in London! We have 11 hours to waste, and are not intending to get a hotel, so we are looking for late night activities after 8pm but close enough where we get back to London Heathrow easily. Our plane leaves out again at 7:45 am. Any suggestions? Would love to get a glimpse of Big Ben or the Eye, but we aren't sure how close these are, or if we can access the tube... We have never been to Europe, so we are just eager to suck up as much as possible in our short time.

Thanks!

I suggest Airbnb.com for finding a great place to stay in Florence.

I honestly don't remember where I stayed, but I can tell you I booked it through Book Cheap Package Holidays | Late Deals | All Inclusive Holidays from Directline Holidays and it did the job perfectly!

I would recommend while you're there, take a cheeky trip down to Pompeii! You can see mount Vesuvius (I think I spelt that right), an amazing volcano which is still alive, and you can see all the ruins of when it last erupted.

Sorry I couldn't help more, but hope you enjoy your travels!