I am trying to convince my hubby to spend a week in Florence leaving on Christmas Day (cheaper flights) and returning on January 2nd. I have been mulling around many ideas including leaving sooner and spending time in Rome but I dislike hectic vacations that include several connections such as getting from Rome to Florence and then back to Rome even though I don't mind driving in Italy or taking the train.

I need to find a nice hotel that has the following criteria: GREAT comfy beds, good location but love to walk and medium on being upscale. By "upscale", I mean I love a deep bathtub <VBG>, decent restaurant on nights that you are too tired to deal with 'recommendations', and good concierge to arrange museum/local tours. Price matters but willing to put up with a higher price IF the services are right.

My other concern is dealing with New Year Eve. For us, it is just like another evening in our life. WE are NOT party animals. We ran into a VERY difficult situation in Bruges a few years ago. We ended up doing the long drawn out and expensive dinner at our hotel (shall remain nameless)and were VERY unhappy. Lets be frank here. Two hours is a long time to eat for an American and four hours is just NOT my cup of tea. Yours, Claudia