Hi, we are in the final stages of planning a 25th anniversary trip to Florence and Tuscany. we will spending a few days in Florence while I attend a meeting, then go to La Locanda near Volpaia in Chianti. My questions are in reference to Florence.

My meeting is at the Convitto della Calza, Piazza della Calza near the Porta Romana, is anyone familiar with this convention center/hotel? Because of poor reviews of the Convitto and because I always wanted to see it , we are staying at the Torre di Bellosguardo. Will it be difficult to walk from the Bellosguardo to the Convitto? Are there any pizza spots, tabla calde ?sp, or other fast food spots close to the Porto Romana - I may not have much time for lunch on some days.

Also ideas for one romantic and another lively dinner in the Oltrarno would be welcome - we have been to the centro storico a couple of times, and want to explore across the river. Thanks!

According to the Italian Yellow Pages, there is a Pizzeria Trattoria Portaromana at Via Senese 23. But try to get to Ruggero, an old, established trattoria at Via Senese 89.

Interestingly, one map shows what looks like a footpath from the Torre di Bellosguardo down to the Porta Romana, which should get you there in a few minutes, while the Yellow Pages map shows only forest.

I'm more worried about where your spouse is going to eat lunch, who will probably have a longer walk than you down to the lower Oltrarno...

For restaurant reviews, you can go here; the different areas of Florence, including Oltrarno, are in alphabetical order.

Thanks Eloise, that brings up the part of the question I forgot to post. Isn't the Porto Romano a major bus stop? Can anyone lead me to a good website for Firenze bus routes??

It isn't far from Torre di Bellosguardo to the Piazza della Calza at the Porta Romana....about 1.6 km on foot according to Mappy.com

However, the walk back up to the hotel will be pretty steep as I remember from my hike a few years ago.

If you are adventurous, there is a fabulous food stand in the piazza outside the Porta Romana that has some of the best tripe sandwiches in Florence.

And one of the remaining Last Suppers in Florence that has eluded me up to now is in the building where your conference is......

Florence Last Suppers

Scroll down to Cenacalo della Calza.

There is ample opportunity for other types of food in that area......by the way.

Here is a link to the bus company's site.

http://www.ataf.net/Default_EN.asp

For bus schedules, you can go to www.ataf.it.

Added later: I see Jim Zurer already gave it to you, and not only in English but the right one. (I should know better than to trust to my memory...)

Thanks all. I had gotten the feeling from my research that walking from the Bellosguardo to the meeting would be a one-way affair but it does get the day started right!