Holiday
This is probably a very bad idea: ought not to leave these things to the last minute. This can't be a good time to travel, everything will probably be closed, don't speak any Italian, don't trust these dubious budget airlines, present buying and transportation will be a nightmare. Will probably end up spending Christmas day curled up on an airport floor after the latest strike, bankruptcy or terrorism scare.

Anyway, current plan is:
12 December: Fly from London to Florence
18 December: Train from Florence to Rome
23 December: Fly from Rome to Manchester to see parents
1 January: Train from Stockport to London

Good points: only a week with the parents which should be bearable.

Anyone have any advice on where to stay in Florence or Rome? Any other tips?

Web
Stolen from Metafilter.

Sexism. Long memoir of the tribulations of a woman working in comics. Start at the bottom.

Telescopes. Some images from 5 years of the VLT. Bubbled glass from an old reflector (From Monkeyfilter)