Just a few more thoughts... I've stayed in B&B's in Ireland, England, New Zealand, South Africa and the US. I also have 7 nights of B&B's booked for Scotland next month.

There is so much variation in quality, that it really helps to get a person recommendation. The best of them can provide you with a great feel for the area, interaction with locals, great food, excellent recommendations on local attractions and a warm, welcoming stay. The worst of them make you feel like an intruder in their house and provide bad food and little information.

We stayed in 6 B&B's/Farmstays in New Zealand and I'd go back to any of them in a heartbeat. Each was very different with very different hosts (anything from a retired NZ army officer who was a former UN weapons inspector in Iraq to an 80 year old farm and his wife) but each was someplace that I'd highly recommend.

The ones I visited in England and South Africa were also great.

Ireland was very hit or miss. Some of them were great with nice rooms, great breakfast and friendly hosts. Some were so-so, others were just bad. I think that a major factor in Ireland is that there was a huge tax break a number of years ago to get people to start B&B's as a way of jumpstarting the tourist industry. Everyone (and I mean everyone) opened a B&B, whether they really wanted to be in the business or not.

Good luck and happy travels... BTW, which convent are you staying in in Florence?

astein12, hope your stays go well.

I'm staying at Casa Santo Nome di Gesù - http://www.fmmfirenze.it . It's in the Oltrarno area. They have a dinner plan as well, for 14 or 15 Euros per night, if you book it in advance. The reviews (of the accommodation and the dinners) are good.

I've read good things about it... I stayed in another a few years ago that was also good (can't remember the name offhand). Have a good trip...

What about using a Karen Brown guide book to B&Bs? I've heard her recommendations are always good ones. Anyone have any experience with these books?

We stayed in a wonderful B&B in Chiusi, Italy: Residensa Porsenna: another delightful B&B in Provence - Presbytere St Thomas = which several other Fodorites have since enjoyed; and four different places in South Africa (David's in Cape Town, The Avenues in Stellenbosch, and Avalon on Sea at Hermanus, and Constantia Valley Lodge) each of which was extraordinary in it's own way.

I wasn't quite done (hate when that happens) -- I think B&Bs are usually more "social" when they are located out in the countryside (Tuscany, Provence, Charlottesville VA -- I forgot about that one -- oH, yes and the Camillia Inn in Healdsburg-- California wine country.) Of course the only one we've ever stayed that was located in a city was in Cape Town, SA -- and that was more of a guesthouse than a B&B. What we have liked about it has been the personalized service and attention, and the opportunity to socialize a bit more with other guests (an opportunity, not really an obligation.)

B&Bs are wonderful and not always less expensive but usually have the best breakfasts, but my experience is only in France. They are often prettier and nicer than some small hotels.

We stayed in B&B's throughout Europe for a month. Some of them were lovely. If you want to immerse yourself in a country's culture, that is the way to go. In most hotel's, there is someone who speaks English. Not the case at B&B's. We always checked out the room before we agreed to stay. The innkeepers usually didn't seem to mind that. Sometimes we had to share a bathroom, which wasn't my favorite thing to do.

The innkeepers rarely joined us for breakfast. They usually just left out some breads, butter & jam, pastries, yogurt/quark, hard boiled eggs, ham. Simple food. I don't think they want to eat with total strangers any more than you do. Some of my favorites were small inns located above or next to a cafe. Guest's meals were usually served there in the cafe.

We had some great experiences, and some not so great experiences, but they were EXPERIENCES just the same. That is why we travel.