The slow train from Nice to Florence is a great deal! [ www.raileurope.com/us/rail/fares_schedules/index.htm ] It is delightfully slow, letting you enjoy the scenery along the French and Italian Rivieras, until it turns left at Pisa to go inland to Florence. It goes from Nice to Monaco (so much is underground there)-Menton- then crossing into Italy and going along the Ligurian coast [ http://goitaly.about.com/od/liguria/l/bl-liguria-map.htm ]-Vintigliami-Stefano-San Remo-Savona-Genoa (where 2 illegal immigrants were taken off the train in handcuffs)-S. Margareta-Portofino-Rapallo-Sestri-Levanto-La Spezia (where you would get off if you're going to the Cinqueterre)-Carrara (right by the marble mountains where the white stones were cut for so many great sculptures) - the beach town of Viareggio (near Bocelli's home)-Pisa and then Florence, with Brunelleschi's amazing dome being the first familiar sight from the train just before it pulls in to the station.
We taxied to our little hotel, the Cellai, in the historic district [ www.booking.com/city/it/florence.html ]. For me, it's best to stay in 2 or 3-star hotels in the historic district, family owned if possible. It is far cheaper than the 4 or 5 stars, and few travelers need a restaurant in the hotel, or a pool, or a bar. The key thing is the location of the hotel, not the amenities, so long as it's clean and not on a noisy street. The hotel is for sleeping.
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