TOURIST TAX

I think you will find it useful to know that the city of Florence has started to apply a tax on your stay within the city. Started July 1, 2011, visitors sleeping in Florence will pay a tourist tax per person per night. The cost will vary, from 1 to 5 euros in hotels based upon the hotel's stars rating ( 1 € for each star of the hotel, ex if you stay in a three stars hotel you have to pay € 3,00 per person per night). The tax is applied to non residents overnight staying, for a maximum of 10 consecutives nights. The tax is not applied to: childeren under 10 years old, people who provide assistance to patient in hospital, max two each patient, and people who provide assistance to underage patients in hospital, max two each patient
The money collected from the tourism tax will be used to improve a number of tourist services incluiding maintenace works, support to properties, public services and so on.
The first service that the city has started to offer thanks to the new tax is the free water in some squares (there is one in the Signoria Square), still or sparkling fresh water. This is a good news....hoping to hear more good news in the future.

Water distributor - Florence, Italy