Grand Hotel Croce di Malta

... best view of Florence around, we will drop off the car near our hotel in Florence. This will be my 13th time at Albergo Croce di Malta. While there we expect to spend some time with my friend Lidia and her wonderful family. Then it's on to Venice for the ...

We arose early on Dec 26, as we had a lot to do that day. First we would check out of Croce di Malta, then walk a short distance to Piazza Ognissanti, where the Westin Excelsior stands majestically on the east side of the piazza, the Westin Grand Hotel on ...

... wallets. And that was with the big discount she gave me ! Finally I left the store, and headed to the hotel. I had first stayed in Croce di Malta in 1995, because in the dead of summer their wonderful pool in their back garden was paradise. I stayed ...

... the best view of Florence,  from a hill southeast of the town. After dropping off the car near Albergo Croce di Malta (my 13th stay at that hotel), we will begin the tour of Florence starting with a 3 hr whirlwind going towards the Piazza Republicca, ...

... Randy rested in the room with their maladies, and David and I did a last tour of Florence. We started by heading towards the Grand Hotel where my friend Sabrina works. In 2002, Lidia, Sabrina and I drove around parts of Tuscany together. She is now ...

... times of Medici Empire in Florence. ‘Gates of Paradise’ of the Cathedral with multicolored marble facade was grand beyond imagination. Large Piazza Della Signora stands proud surrounded by statues of Apollo and Hercules, and imitation of ...

... the elements. Also, Savonarola was burned at the stake on a platform that extended from the palazzo in 1498. Feasts, festivals, and grand entrances by notables have taken place there. On the south side of the piazza is the Loggia dei Lanza, where well ...

... then back to via della Scala, and, of course, early dinner at my favorite place, a small bar (cafe) a few doors down from the hotel towards SMN. My journal indicated that I met yet another 21 yr old named Tara, which made that 3 Taras I have met in the ...