Finding (a place to stay in) Florence

First trip was in 1964; last trip to Florence was about 1990. Time to consider going back, with perhaps a day trip to Rome -- 1.5 hours each way -- on a stylish train.

I've flown economy, premium and business class. Today the best deal seems to be premium economy. Add in free passes to the business class lounge while forgoing the lie-flat seats for the transatlantic journey and the cost is 65% less than business yet with most of the relished features. I don't find the lie-flat seats to be of much value; I can rest conformably with a slightly oversized economy seat. And with United you get to pick your seat location, not that it matters much in the relatively small premium cabin.

Years ago I developed an affinity for British Airways, an allure strengthened by the fact that BA alone consistently flew to Europe out of BWI during our 25 years in Maryland. Yet this spring's BA trip on post-Covid vouchers left me wanting. In truth, we opted for American trans-Atlantic flights and had to use Green Bay rather than Appleton, along with more American (economy) flights that left us stuck twice in Heathrow for long periods of time. The BA lounges at Heathrow are understaffed and under-victualized; fortunately we were able to use Qantas One World lounge on our return trip. Nonetheless, the chaos of Heathrow security and customs leaves much to be desired, along with the twenty-minute coach ride to the plane, left us feeling more like steerage passengers of the Titanic than business class customers.

The pound continues to crash, does to $1.20; the Euro slipped below a dollar this past week. Italy could be quite reasonable and even decent weather in the north for Thanksgiving. We may give it a try.