Florence Next week Hep me Hep Me!
 

Just booked one of those great fares on American. If you use the schedule option you get better times than orbitz and it is only about $20 more than their cheapest fare.

So Off I go and I am doing this on dental floss, shoe strings are for rich folks!

So who can tell me the cheapest accomodation. All I care about is safe, clean. I am looking at youth hostels but a cheap pension would do well also.

I am going because I am dying to eat REAL Italian (SO IF YOU KNOW GREAT RESTAURANTS Let me know)and shoe shop. I was in Florence about 18 years ago. So I don't know about contemporary fines.

Instituto Oblate dell'Assunzione
Borgo Pinti, 15
Firenze 5012l
Fax: 39 0155 234 629

Safe, very clean, and in a great location. In 2001, the rate was less than $50/night. You don't have to be Catholic to stay there. Sisters speak Italian and French. I had to fax a couple of times before receiving a reply. Books out early. Would definitely stay there again, especially if traveling solo.

Thanks Betsey, ME MUM would love me to stay with nuns. I am not a practising Catholic much to her dismay. Will check it out online if that is possible.

You can see a list of really budget options here:

http://www.bugeurope.com/reviews/Ita...cany/Florence/

About eating out, please avoid tourist traps near major landmarks, just find out a cheap trattoria away from the historical sites

Betsy thanks again I am finding links to other convents like San Gimignano.

Franit good to know. I AM WILLING TO SPLURG ON FOOD but of course not on a tourist trap.

will travel thanks!

Anyone know what are of Florence I should stay in. I will probably do most days in Florence and then one day in Siena or San Gimignano

In addition to everything else suggested, the poster ira highly recommended a Florence B&B called B&B Peterson (look for his threads). I think the single rate is 36 Euros per night.

Betsy -- If the nuns speak either french or italian, how would one address a nun?

Mmr...chuckle, chuckle. I found the pilot thread but didn't have any luck with the nuns.

Buca Dell Orafo
Volta del Girolami, 28r
phone:055 213 619 closed Mon. & Sun.
- covered alleyway to left of Ponte Vecchio towards Uffizi - 100 feet down under archway.
I was with my husband, but noticed that the single dinners were seated at a large table and were given extra attention by the very nice owner. Food is very reasonably priced and excellent.

Does anyone know where I should stay in Florence? The area I mean. I am largely going to shop and eat. I will certainly give a day here and there to art and history.

Hi Sarah,

I can positively recommend the B&B Peterson. It is inexpensive, clean and safe.

See my trip report, http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044

Thanks Ira ok for single gal on her own getting home late at night?

I also don't want to have to worry about stored shopping items that I might leave during the day.

Hi Sarah,

Glad you got a great deal on flights good for you to get up and go! I know you are on a tight budget but can you be more specific on how much you want to spend a night? I'm sure you woill get many suggestions if we know this part.

Hi ecat, I know this is not a youth site. I was in Hawaii for three weeks over the summer though and I AM UNEMPLOYED

About 20 years ago I stayed in a youth hostel just outside the city center. It is in a 16th Century building. Anyway I recalled all ages staying there. I was tempted to stay their for $20 dollars a night. Iras call in town at what looks like $32 might work better though just to skip that bus ride each day. I remember that being a hassle. Also I don't know how I will fare with noisy German youth (just kidding here).

So for your answer I could spend $50 or even more but the cheaper the better. I don't want to kick myself if I am still out of work in a few months. I certainly have savings so I am not ridding on my last dime. Just want to make this as guilt free as possible.

Hi Sarah,

Is the B&B Peterson "ok for single gal on her own getting home late at night"?

My lady wife says "yes".

The B&B is about a ten-minute (or less) walk from the train station along a large, well-lit street with wide sidewalks.

Thanks Ira HERE I GO!!! I just emailed them on availability. Is the train station nearby?

by train station I meant subway inside the city. Or is that what you were referring to as the rail station.