Florence: The Jewel Of The Renaissance
Florence, the capital of Tuscany and the jewel of the Italian Renaissance, is the most popular city of the region. The city can be described as an 'open air museum' and is recognized worldwide as among the top cities for art and architecture, with its many historic buildings, monuments, and rich museums.
A wealth of historical memories (seven centuries of Florentine history) is associated with the area on which stands the building that is now home to one of the most iconic Westin hotels, The Westin Excelsior, Florence.
The Westin Excelsior, Florence - Iconic luxury experience on the banks of the Arno River
A wealth of historical memories (seven centuries of Florentine history) is associated with the area on which stands the building that is now home to one of the most iconic hotels. Benefit from the hotel's convenient central location and go discover the treasures from the Medici family, walk over the well-known Ponte Vecchio, admire the stained glass in the churches and rejuvenate in the breezy parks of Florence.
A block of discounted rooms is reserved for conference participants starting at EUR 520/night for a Deluxe double room, single use, and EUR 570/night for a Deluxe double room for double occupancy. Rates do not include VAT, currently 10% and exclude City Tax Euro 8,00 per person, per night. Tax increases will be applied automatically. Rates do include a Full American Buffet breakfast. Rates are available beginning May 14th through May 18th.
You can make your reservation ONLINE HERE (coming soon)
Add-Ons: Arno View rooms are an additional EUR 110/night plus VAT and Premium Deluxe rooms are an additional EUR 100/night plus VAT. For Arno View Rooms or Premium Deluxe Rooms, Guests should book the Deluxe category room through the booking link below and then email Nerea at The Westin Excelsior Florence (nerea.camps@marriott.com), with the request for the upgraded room category.
To receive these special rates, please make your reservation no later than February 15, 2025. After that, the rooms at our discount rates cannot be guaranteed. A one-night non-refundable deposit is due at time of booking. From time of booking to 40 days prior to arrival, the reservation may be totally canceled without penalty, save the retention of the one-night deposit by the hotel. 39-0 days prior to arrival, cancellations, no-shows, and reduction of stay will be charged the whole cost of the reservation.
PLEASE NOTE: Rooms are reserved for course participants on a first-come, first-served basis, and may sell out before the cut-off date. Each Registered Attendee is allowed to reserve up to 2 rooms with their course registration, each additional room requires a separate non-attendee registration or the additional reservations are subject to cancellation.
If reserving your room prior to your registration, your course registration must follow within 7 days of booking your room or your reservation will be subject to cancellation.
Contact CME Science at info@cmescience.com if you have questions or concerns or need assistance with your room reservation.
Other room reservation information: The maximum occupancy is two persons (including children), except for selected Premium Deluxe rooms and suites which can welcome a third person with a daily supplement of 80€. Only one extra person can be accommodated per guest room. To book a Premium Deluxe room with an extra person charge, Guests should book the Deluxe category room through the booking link below and then email Nerea at The Westin Excelsior Florence (sandra.bagni@marriott.com and cc- nerea.camps@marriott.com), with the request to upgrade to Premium and add a 3rd person.
Please note: The Westin Excelsior Florence is a 30 second walk across the Piazza to the St. Regis Hotel where the meeting space is located in the Salone delle Feste Ballroom at The St Regis Florence.
IDI Travel - Italian Dreams
A visit to Italy is like an interview with History and History has so much to say. Italy is home to 70% of the world's important art. Much of it marks the highlights of Mankind's progress and for this reason it's beauty and significance are as tangible today as ever.
With such a wealth of artistic riches, the question is what to see and how to see it? Italian Dream Incorporated is the perfect answer. We provide the only vehicle that can carry you directly to the aspects of Italian culture, history and art that attract you personally. We put you in the care of qualified people, built for your unique and privileged itineraries and request, introduce you to unusual contacts who can lead you through Italy's back door.
You may drawn upon our special services: personal guides, privileged access to cultural events (concerts, exhibitions...), contacts in specific sectors (museums, antiques, fashion….). Tell us which Italy you want to see and we will take you there. We will be happy to help you plan the perfect vacation. italy.iditravel.com
ARRIVING
Florence is easily reached by plane, train or car. The city has its own international airport (Amerigo Vespucci) and Pisa International Airport is just 50 km away. Florence is a major high-speed railway hub with trains leaving regularly for the whole of Italy. Florence is located on the main Italian motorway, the A1, which connects Milan and Naples.
BY PLANE
AMERIGO VESPUCCI AIRPORT – FLORENCE
Florence Airport is only 5 km from the city centre. Visitors can take a taxi to the centre in just 15 minutes (for the city centre and main hotels, the flat rate is € 22; € 24 at weekends and on national holidays and € 25 at night; for other destinations, ask the driver or check the price list in the taxi; tel. 055 4242). Alternatively, take the Vola in bus shuttle bus (€ 5 one-way, € 8 round trip; for more information, visit the ATAF website).
GALILEO GALILEI AIRPORT – PISA
Pisa Airport is about 1 km from the Pisa Centrale railway station and is connected by the People Mover shuttle bus. Florence is about 1 hour away by train. You can also reach Florence with the Terravision bus.
For more information on the services offered at both airports, visit the Toscana Aeroporti page.
BY CAR
Arriving in Florence by car is straightforward. The A1 Milano-Napoli motorway intersects around Florence with the A12 Firenze-Pisa Nord motorway, which connects Tuscany’s main cities, such as Prato, Pistoia, Lucca and Pisa.
The A1 exits for Florence are Firenze Nord, Firenze Scandicci, Firenze Impruneta and Firenze Sud. There is also a new exit, Villa Costanza, which leads to paid parking near the T1 line of the tram (the tram stop is also called Villa Costanza). From there, you can easily reach the city centre in around 20 minutes.
The exits for other towns in Florence’s metropolitan area are Barberino di Mugello, Calenzano-Sesto Fiorentino, Incisa-Reggello and Valdarno. For towns in the Valdelsa, you can take the Strada di Grande Comunicazione Fi-Pi-Li (exits at Montelupo F.no and Empoli).
If you come to Florence by car, remember that traffic in the city centre is limited by the ZTL (Zona Traffico Limitato). The ZTL requires that you leave your car at one of the many car parks operated by the “Firenze Parcheggi” network, whose costs and hours vary according to the car park (prices vary from € 1.60 to € 2 per hour).
Remember that the underground car park at the Santa Maria Novella railway station costs more than the other car parks; hence long stays are not recommended.
BY TRAIN
Firenze Santa Maria Novella is the main station in Florence. It is located in the city centre and is a major transport hub on the Milan-Naples line, well connected to major Italian cities by high-speed train.
Regional trains also arrive and depart from Santa Maria Novella several times per hour, connecting Florence to other cities in Tuscany. There are also interregional and international trains. For information and to purchase tickets, visit the Trenitalia website.
Air and Car Discounts
Discounts on airfare of 2%-7%, and on car rentals of 5%-30%. - Please click HERE to access the Air and Car Discounts Brochure.
