Weren't most of the 9/11 people Saudi? That's more Asia that Africa according to the last atlas I saw. How interesting that a judge, who is supposed to be well-educated, does not know that.

My best friend and I spent several days in Florence when we were 22 years old (summer 2002). We were backpacking through Europe and Florence felt much safer than certain areas we happened upon in Munich. Just tell your daughter to be aware of her surroundings, especially after dark. She also might want to avoid the train station after dark. I'm sure she will have a fine time! You might clue her in to the leather shopping market outside the Medici Chapels if she likes to shop

My 20 year old daughter spent last semester in Florence. No problems at all. She took care to use good judgement regarding walking alone at night, carrying too much cash and credit cards, etc. Same precautions anyone should take in any city in any country. Just tell her to keep her wits about her and she'll love it there.
Biggest danger in Florence comes from the narrow streets and cars going too fast IMHO!

Florence was totally safe for me, and I don't see what African immigrants have to do with anything.....I will keep my comments on that remark to myself.

I traveled solo, and florence was fine and safe. No one bothered me or harassed me or anything like that. I openly used my map, and pretty much did look like a tourist. I had a wonderful time.....as long as your daughter is street smart she should be fine.

The daughter of a friend spent a semester in Florence last year and had no problems of any kind. She was part of a group of students, however, and not simply traveling by herself. I think in any city that young women should be very alert and cautious, but no more so in Italy than anywhere else.

and don't apologize to the rude know-it-alls; it's like giving an addict a heroin injection

Suzie-"tho the world cowers before them"

We do, we do, know the truth of what you are saying (oh, if you only KNEW how I echo these words!)

(Sigh!) Judges can be incredibly narrow-minded and ignorant, see only what they want to see, believe only what they want to believe, in the face of all contrary evidence before them, and I shall leave it at that.

Getme-I would not take a JUDGE's word about things of this nature that happen overseas-judges do not tend to be, in general, terribly knowledgeable about the world and international goings-on. (and I'm talking both state and federal court trial judges)

I have studied in Florence, and find it to be, for students, one of the most beautiful (not just physical) places in the world in which to spend time -it would be my first choice for an overseas study program, for example.

The so-called "African immigrants" (there are other names for them-"vu cumpra" being one racist term) are not treated very well in Italy-most of them are just trying to make a living selling goods on the street-and Italian law enforcement keeps quite good tabs on the immigrant population within its borders.

Simply stated, she will love Florence.

I shouldn't but can't help it. Not wanting to pile on but at the same time....here goes. 9/11 had nothing to do with Africans...period.

There. I have been to Florence several times, been all over the city and never felt uncomfortable. I agree with a previous post....use your head whereever you are.

I think this thread underscores a basic lack of knowledge about the African colonial histories of some of the major Western European destinations and how some of these Africans - sometimes highly educated - are in their former "host" nations trying to eek out a living. I'll be the first to admit surprise that I could get very good Italian cooking at an Eritrean restaurant in Oakland, my dining buddy then feeling compelled to explain how France, Italy, Spain, Britain, etc., had all occupied various African nations (this part I did know). As to the Africans in Florence and Italy, they seemed to be very busy doing their street vending thing (unauthorized, or not) and were not menacing in any way. My few experiences with pick-pockets in Florence make me giggle now - these guys were almost wearing a uniform... designer jeans, t-shirts and aviator-style glasses - replete with what I started to call the "bowling shoes"... but the same could be said for every Italian male between the ages of 16-35. Now who can you trust?