Hi! I just returned from a one month trip to Europe with my sister. Lodging was a big expense for us, and we tried to keep it down. WE stayed at one hostel in Vienna. The bedroom was clean and felt very secure. The bathrooms were not clean...not because the hostel staff didn't try, but because a group of about 40 14 year olds were staying there. That was a pain. However, at $20 per night, it was definately a good deal.

I booked almost all of our lodging through www.hostelworld.com. They have hostels, cheap hotels, B&B's, and apartments. I booked mostly cheap hotels, where we had a private room and shared a bathroom. See what you can find on there. Most places have plenty of customer reviews to help you out.

As far as your itinerary, I would skip Rome this time. We enjoyed Rome, but we enjoyed Florence and Venice much more. If I were you, I would do Florence, Venice and Paris. Stay at least one night in Venice, as it is so much more magical after the cruise people leave around 6:00 PM. We stayed on the main land to cut costs, and that worked fine. We had a late-night walk to the train station and then to the hotel, but it was worth it since we were on a tight budget and really wanted to be in Venice one night.

Rome would be stressful alone, I think, if you wanted to see the big sights. There were so many people there. I just don't think I would have enjoyed it nearly as much if I had been alone.

We didn't stay in convents, as we didn't want a curfew, but I would probably do it if I were alone. We were rarely out past 11:00, so the curfew wouldn't have been an issue. We just didn't know that then.

Check out our blog for some pictures and ideas! www.1month2sisters4countries.blogspot.com.

Have a GREAT time! I've done some solo trips before and loved them.

I think flying into Florence and out of Paris is excellent! And also just sticking to those two cities this trip is perfect. That will be fairly easy to arrange and to do. By keeping it simple I find I only add to my enjoyment and that it keeps my stress level way down.

I've yet to go to Rome myself, because I feel it would be particularly overwhelming, especially as a solo female.

Good job, you're a quick learner

www.hotelmonge.com is my hotel suggestion for Paris if that fits your budget.

Hi, oneonly -
Congratulations on your first trip to Europe! As I solo female traveler, I remember very well how nervous I was before my first trip. Perhaps the single most important lesson I learned from that experience was how easy and wonderful it can be! Since then, I've been to many places - including Rome, Venice, Florence, and Paris - alone, and loved them all! You're considering some fabulous locations - enjoy!

Hmmm...Florence with Tuscany side-trips and Paris sounds great. Still, it would make me so sad to miss Venice. I'd do four nights in Florence, three in Venice, whatever is left over in Paris. Whatever you do, you will have a wonderful time. Be sure and post a trip report.

I think Azzure's itinerary is a good one-Venice is better solo than Rome for a first-timer, in my humble opinio (IMHO), and Florence for 4-5days (with side-trips) and Venice 2-3 is good mix.

And what can one say abut Paris (except perhaps, BOOK NOW!)