tips for travel

Let’s start with wine bars and cafes! In Italy bars are literally on every corner. Do not confuse them with the classic American bars. Italian bars ( or caff่) serve caf้
cappuccinos
hot chocolates
tea
light snacks and aperitifs. We recommend in particular 2 historic places.

The Gilli which is a wine bar and restaurant and since 1733 it has been serving also all kinds of treats and light meals.. (Piazza della Repubblica
ph: +39 055 213 896). And just in front the Giubbe Rosse Caf่ where you can have brunch from 9€ or a complete menu from 18€ ( Piazza della Repubblica 13/14; ph: +39 055 212 280).

Tip: a coffee is way too cheaper (up to 1€) at the counter that at your sit at the table. In this way you can enjoy a good coffee-break in fantastic places without spending a fortune!

Once stuffed with an excellent Italian Breakfast with cappuccino and brioche you are ready to visit the Uffizi Museum
probably the reason why you got your flight ticket to Florence!

Palazzo Vecchio (Uffizi) is an amazing palace set just around Piazza della Signoria
once the centre of political power and city life. Just behind there is the spectacular Ponte Vecchio housing numerous antique and modern jewellery shops and the Signoria open arched gallery

In the Uffizi Gallery you can enjoy Italian masterpieces from Medieval period to Modern. Just to give you some masters’ names: you will be meeting Leonardo
Michelangelo
Botticelli and Caravaggio.

There are also periodic modern art exhibitions Check the official website to get all info and the ticket reservations to avoid extenuate queues. The main entrance is under the portico of the Palazzo degli Uffizi 6 and it is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 8.15am until 6.35pm (last entry 6pm). Admission: €9.50 (plus €3 to online reservations); concessions available. (uffizi.firenze.it). One of the best ways to reach the city centre is to get the n. 23 bus or line B.

To get an affordable accommodation while in Florence you can check the following nice Bed and Breakfast ( B&B) providing clean accommodations and friendly atmosphere. The Abatjour B&B close to the train station
Soggiorno Primavera
the central B&B Cinque Sensi
Althea rooms B&B
Cimarosa Armony BB
a Casa di Dante BB; Bed and Breakfast tourist house
Bed and breakfast Montebello B&B. Usually a double room costs around 50-70 euros per night.

If you prefer a guest house or a budget hotel you can try this selection where the prices are very good for the quality and the services they offer. Hotel Castri which is set in a Renascent villa with a green park
hotel Palazzuolo
hotel Guelfa
il Ghiro guest house. There are also studios and apartments or upper scale hotels where you start form 50 euros per person per night at the Gemini Studio
Alex house
Leopolda hotel
hotel Autopark
hotel Erina
Alamanni Hotel
Hotel Beatrice
Goldoni hotel. This prices are for a night stay and they are subject to changings but in general they include breakfast
linen and towels.

Everyone wants to go on a nice
relaxing
and quiet vacation every once in a while
but not everyone has the kind of money that can buy a 5-star hotel stay for the weekend. In that once every few years chance that you have saved just enough for a lush weekend trip
you have the choice to go all out on a first rate hotel and have little left for going around town
or to pick a more reasonably priced 4 star hotel and still have a good budget for seeing the best that the hotel’s surroundings has to offer.

No matter what popular tourist destination you go to
there are 4-star hotels that are more than capable of competing with the first class hotels in the same town. Despite the difference in ratings
it is possible that the only disparity that counts between 4-star hotels and their 5-star counterparts is the price range
especially if you’re one customer who is only slightly particular about the kind and range of services offered in the hotel you choose to stay in. Some 4-star hotels even offer a wider range of amenities than some 5-star hotels at a lower price. Also
some 4 star hotels are considered the best in a certain region
as a 4-star rating is the highest for the hotel grading body ruling that area.

However
notice that the prices also differ according to the hotels’ respective distances from the center of the city or town; the prices reduce as the location moves farther from the center. The factor of how much of the city center you want to see should therefore play a role in planning your luxurious weekend getaway. After all
what you save in accommodations could easily turn into expenses when you need to spend more on transportation between the hotel and tourist spots you intend to visit.

Four-star hotels are also suitable for business travel
as business centers and conference halls are available in most. The business traveler can also benefit from the luxurious service a 4-star hotel offers
as the hotel can easily cater to a mix of business and pleasure. Some can even be a source of inspiration and tranquility
particularly those with extra provisions for privacy
such as soundproofed rooms
and wellness facilities
such as room massage service and a Zen garden.

Here’s a list of 4 star hotels that may be worth spending a weekend in someday: the Sofitel Paris Porte de Sevres
which also offers wireless Internet access in some rooms
3
restaurants catering to different tastes
and the option to stay on one of its eight non-smoking floors; the Hotel Forum in Rome
with a roof-garden restaurant overlooking the Venice Square and the Colosseum; and the Elite Hotel Praha in Prague
which is located in a quiet
yet scenic part of town
and features a day bar with a small leisure garden and a grill club that showcases the best of French
Argentinian and Spanish cuisines.

Finding a hotel that suits your budget comes easy when you take into consideration the activities that you will be busy with
or what you want to achieve during your stay. If being extremely pampered and totally worry-free comes last on your list
then you’re welcome to try a 3-star hotel. This is not to say that 3-star hotels do not offer any degree of comfort or luxury; it just seems impractical to be paying for lavish amenities when you won’t have the chance to take advantage of them.

If you’re a business traveler
who intends to be primarily engaged in
well
business matters
and not that concerned with having a fun and relaxing time
then a 3-star hotel with provisions and facilities that are useful for conferences and business correspondence would be a good recommendation. Furthermore
the affordable price is more attractive if you intend to keep the business expenses low. Also
an in-house restaurant
bar or lounge eliminates the need to go elsewhere for lunch or dinner meetings
and thus saves you time that you can spend preparing for presentations instead.

Meanwhile
on the other end of the tourist spectrum
a weekend traveler who has a planned itinerary can find good value in a 3-star hotel that is within minutes of a popular tourist destination
such as Paris or Amsterdam. Just because you’re visiting a top tourist spot doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot on accommodations. For instance
three star hotels like the Hotel Windsor Opera in Paris (only over a kilometer away from the city center) even offers services such as a business center facility
room service
and a fitness center
with rates that are at least about fifty percent lower than the best hotels located in the heart of the city.

While 3-star hotels may be expected to offer more than basic accommodations
it may be best to assess them and make a choice according to your expectations and needs. For instance
you may deem access to a fitness center more important than room service
or prefer Internet access and a business center to availability of a swimming pool. Whatever you prefer
be reassured that you can consult with an online guide and make sure to ask the right questions that will ultimately lead to a pleasant 3-star hotel experience.

Here are other 3-star hotels that may be of interest: the Hotel Sylter Hof in Berlin
which prides itself as a good location for business functions
and is immediately accessible to the city’s major airports; the Hotel Diplomatic in Rome
which is within close range of the Spanish Steps and the Vatican
and boasts of a fitness center
a swimming pool
and impeccable service; the Kensington Close Hotel and Healthy Spa in London
which offers an indoor swimming pool
beauty treatments
a health and fitness club
and three restaurants; and the Circus Circus Hotel in Las Vegas
Nevada
which is a family oriented hotel that offers live circus act performances and boasts of the Grand Slam Canyon theme park.

Europe is the most popular destination for tourists. There are several important things to keep in mind before calling your travel agent and booking your next vacation:

1. Your Budget: Set your budget. This includes transportation cost and souvenir/s. If your budget is smaller
you should visit Eastern Europe
looking for packaged tours
or
if you're flexible
book a "last-minute" trip
which can often save you 30% or more. Check out the current exchange rate between your currency and that of the country you'll be visiting
to have a better idea of what your vacation is going to actually cost you. Whenever possible
travel during an off-peak season to save even more.

2. Time of year: You may not want to spend many days indoors
because the weather can be cold and rainy. You may miss a wonderful trip just because you have not checked with your travel agent or weather forecast first. This is what I recommend you if you're not sure of weather patterns
check with your travel agent who can advise you on rainy seasons or other weather-related issues for traveling to a specific spot.

3. Political Climate: While most countries that rely on tourism make every effort to ensure the safety of tourists
these days it's always a good idea to keep up on the current political climate of the country you're planning to visit
especially if there have been problems in the past.

4. Your waking time: If you usually wake up late in the morning
then a guided tour is probably not for you. Most guided tours start early in the morning
and you're on the go until evening. You may visit several cities in a country or countries within a specified amount of time
and you're required to stay with the group.

However
if you don't like traveling alone
you enjoy the companionship of others and getting to see as much as possible in the time you've got
a guided tour or cruise may be just the thing for you.

5. Your dream and personal desire: This vacation is something special and you save the whole year for. So if you have always wanted to visit somewhere or do something special -- why wait? Include it in your next vacation plans.

6. Plan your day: Take a little time to think about what you like doing before planning your trip. Do you prefer the water
or the mountains? Lying on the beach
or rock-climbing? Adrenaline rushes or visiting an art museum?

Once you know what you want to do
figure out what you'll have time to do. Many times
in an effort to get the "most bang for our buck" we tend to over plan the vacation
and end up needing a vacation from the vacation when we get home! Prioritize your list
and be willing to save some activities or attractions for another trip.

7. Use the resources that are available to make your trip special and save money: Today's travelers have numerous options when planning their vacation. You can use the Internet to find out more about the cities or countries you want to visit
check out prices
even book your flight or hotel room. Here is a useful website you can visit http://www.heping-hotel.com If you're visiting a place for the first time
check with a travel agent
talk to someone who's "been there
done that" on an Internet Forum
or contact local chambers or commerce or travel councils to get more information about where to go
what to see and what to do.

8. Pack lightly: Do not bring items that you will not use and unnecessary because the word “Just In Case”. When planning your trip
look at your wardrobe and pack as lightly as you can. Take only what you'll really need
and remember that if you forget or end up needing something
chances are you can get it once you reach your destination.

9. Get organized: You can use trip-planning software
or your own favorite organizing system to organize and plan your trip. Don't forget things like making sure your passport and picture ID are up-to-date
finding out if travel insurance is something you need
and how and where to exchange your money. The more organized you are in the beginning
the better vacation you'll have.

10. Have fun!: Get organized
have a plan before going anywhere. That way
once you're on your way
you'll be able to relax and enjoy yourself. But remember
there are very few "perfect" vacations
so if something does go wrong
try to relax and "go with the flow" as much as possible.