Jeri

I have booked rooms at the Grand Hotel Minerva in Florence. We are a family of 7 and thought the rooftop pool would be very refreshing in August. My dilemma--I read that it is very close to the train station and the adjacent plaza would not be safe for unescorted ladies after dark. I am traveling with 3 teenage girls and 2 teenage boys and they may want to go out unattended. Does anyone have info about this hotel and can help calm my nerves? Or should I look into another location? Thanks

Dawn

I don't know who told you that the area surrounding Santa Maria Novella is a ghetto. There are lots of people out walking around, and I don't think its unsafe. But I would have the "streets smart" talk before I left for Italy in general.

GAC

Until drug users began shooting up in the square in front of the Basilica of S.M. Novella (next door to the Hotel), the area had no problems to report. I think that if the teenagers all stay together, they should be fine (but I would not stay out past 11 p.m. or so).

Uncle Sam

We stayed near that area a couple of years ago and like any train or bus station, and the bus station is virtually across the street from the train station, there are going to be some undesirables hanging around. during the day, no big deal.<BR><BR>I do think common sense makes sense and the girls or guys for that matter should use the "buddy system" when traveling at night. <BR><BR>My wife and I wnadered that area after dark on at least two nights and found it to be ok, but safe is better than sorry!<BR><BR>US

jeri

It was from a post on the TripAdvisor web page: "The only caution that I would advise is about the crowd that gathers every evening in the plaza that is in front of the hotel.n It might be uncomfortable for unescorted ladies to walk through this plaza after dark. " and a review from Fodors.com reviews: "The "beautiful square" was anything but that.....the square was run-down and felt like the "ghetto" of Florence. <BR>And those were the only two reviews that were available and although they were both complimentary about the hotel, they were very uncomplimentary about the area.<BR>That is why I posted the above message.

GAC

Jeri, you are correct: the Hotel is very nice (one of the best known in Florence); the Basilica is a world treasure; and the square used to be nice about 30 years ago. Now, sadly, there are cigarette butts, discarded newspapers and even a few used syringes lying amongst the badly kept grass area. A sign of the times ..........

Fay

Hi Jeri, two years ago to the day (today) a friend (woman) and I stayed in Firenze. We were looking for a restaurant after dark, but not late around the train station and it was an experience that I would not want to repeat. Grungy men making cat calls and some drunks laying about and some women who looked like they were at work (if you know what I mean). Even though it is a nice hotel, I would not stay in that area if you (or the teens) are coming and going at night. I live in Los Angeles so I am fairly used to those situations, but not on vacation in Italy.

Janet

We plan to stay in the Hotel Machiavelli Palace on Via Nazionale 10, Which I believe is near the train station. I was told the area was fine. Was I misled?

Terry

Jeri - As a female, traveling with my 20 year old daughter this past June, this was the one place in Florence I felt on guard, even during the daytime. My daughter stayed two more weeks in Florence, after I left, and she said this was the one place where she was most agressively approached by the street people. She said her experiences were also in the day light hours. Sorry it is like this.

GAC

Janet: I know the Machiavelli Palace on Via Nazionale. It is extremely convenient to the train station (for early morning departures), but there are better choices in Florence. The area is not dangerous, but you do need to pay attention at night.

John G

It is strange that you use the term "ghetto" to describe a neighborhood in Firenze, because there used to be a Jewish ghetto, which stood at the northern end of Piazza Repubblica, in the 16th century. Duke Cosimo I confined the Jews to the ghetto, made them wear yellow Star of David, and hindered their business activities. It wasn't until Gian Gastone de Medici rescinded the anti-Semitism laws in the 18th century that the ghetto was abolished.<BR><BR>Firenze will be so inundated with tourists in August that you won't be able to tell the "rent boys" in front of the McDonalds adjacent to SMN from the teenagers from Iowa.<BR><BR>I have been to this area many, many times, day and night, and I never felt afraid for my safety. Yes, there are unsavory characters around, but no one is going to pull a gun on you. The worst thing that will happen is a pan-handler will ask you for some lira or a "putana" will give you the stare.<BR><BR>Just don't let your kids run around the train station at 3 in the morning, and have your boys always escort your girls at night.<BR><BR>You should be fine. Afterall, this is Italay, not Florida. They don't murder tourist here.<BR><BR>Ciao,<BR>John G.

Janet

Dear GaG,Thanks for your reply.Where do you suggest we stay?

GAC

There is a huge number of three star hotels in Florence to choose from. Go to the website of APT Firenze for a complete listing. The area adjacent to the Train Station is convenient, but not particularly cheerful at night. Here are a couple of properties I'm familiar with which you might enjoy:<BR><BR>1. Hotel Balestri (on the North side of the Arno River, Piazza Mentana)<BR>2. Hotel Le Due Fontane<BR>3. Hotel Loggiato dei Serviti<BR><BR>The latter two are in Piazza SS Annunziata. The last is also in a structure designed by Brunelleschi.

KAM

I was just in Florence 2 wks ago and went to this area in the evening as you could (faintly)see the fireworks from it. It was myself and my husband and we are in are early 20's and did not feel safe. <BR><BR>As I think back on it there was not any one thing in particular that made us feel unsafe, just a lot of unsavory characters and not well lit areas. It seemed to be a hang out area for what I would consider to be a 'tough' crowd. <BR><BR>Not sure how much this helps, but I know if I went back to Florence I wouldn't stay in this area. We stayed at the Botticelli which was only a few blocks away but in a nicer area by the market (San Lorenzo I believe).

xxx

Jeri/Janet - we just got back and wandered through that area....agreed it's not the most desireable piazza. we didn't feel unsafe, it's just kind of seedy and not what you want to deal with every time you go out (we stopped and finished our gelato in the piazza s.m. and were happy to move on when finished. <BR><BR>If you can't find an acceptable replacement hotel, I wouldn't lose sleep over it. The area is not that unsafe IMO. It would not be that different than when you go out in certain areas of any large city.

Mark

We passed through the square numerous times at night as late as midnight without a problem. The worst I saw was college kids getting drunk. There's actually a really good gelato shop on the corner of the square which is why we passed through so much. A couple times we sat on the bench inthe square while we ate.<BR><BR>If you are seeking out alternatives that are near the train station check out Hotel Azalee. Thats where we stayed and had a good experience. Its also pretty affordable.

dante

I can imagine that somewhere on in Italian chatroom there is a parallel question that reads, "My wife and I are booked into the Plaza Hotel in NYC, and I've just learned that the Central Park it faces is notoriously crime ridden.<BR> Will it be safe?"<BR><BR> The Minerva is not the only hotel on Pza. SMN and should be quite fine, assuming you aren't looking for your connection at 5 a.m. or some such. You are close to many recommended restaurants and a short walk over to Pza Della Signorina, Uffizi, etc., plus close to lots of shopping.<BR> If you do enough reading, you will find mention of drug users, etc., in almost every major public space in Florence, including Santo Spirito, San Marco, and even near the Uffizi. It has happened in the past, and will happen again, but in all honesty, you are very unlikely to see any of it.<BR> Some of the narrow, dimly lit streets and alley ways can seem spooky-- if you let them scare you. We found them charming, quaint, characteristic, etc. But walking alone you can imagine the Boogie Man is waiting-- he's not, he is elsewhere. Mugging is virtually unheard of in this part of Italy-- although pickpockets can be found in crowds. In truth, you are more likely to be "burgled" in other parts of town...and more likely to be mugged in your hometown! <BR> Just stick to the major streets if you are scared-- but you shouldn't be! Skip the Minerva is you are still scared-- but you shouldn't be. I'd let my grandmother stay there!

Diane

Dante, no one suggested mugging or worse, it is just not that fun to meet up with addicts and drunks at night. I don't think teenagers coming back late at night should be bothered with these people, and that is where they congregate. Open your eyes.