wrote:

I'm going to be in Florence, Italy, for a week or two next month. Are
there any glider clubs in the area that can accommodate a foreign (US)
pilot with some XC flying?

You'll find the list of all Italian gider clubs he
http://www.fivv.it/index.php?option=...12&It emid=29

Near Florence are two:
http://www.voloavelalucca.it/
http://www.mugellogliding.aero/
(and a third without an internet site)

Lucca is nearer to the sea, Mugello (a valley, so don't try to find a
village with that name) is more in the hills. No idea how they treat
visitors.

Stefan