I was supposed to travel in the Fall to Rome and Florence with a friend, now she has cancelled. I still want to go, but I am a little nervous about dark streets at night by myself.<BR>Would anyone recommend hotels in well-lit, non-deserted areas of these cities? Not too expensive either now that I am paying the whole amount, maybe three stars?<BR>Thank you so much, I appreciate any advice.

Albergo Firenze is in a great, safe location just a couple of blocks south of the Duomo in Florence, and is quite reasonable price-wise. In Rome, Santa Chiara is also very well located by the Pantheon, but perhaps a bit pricey for you? (I think someone posted that they found a rate of 175e)

I hope your friend had a good excuse for canceling! That happened to me a few years ago, when my boyfriend broke up with me a few weeks before the vacation we were supposed to take to Provence. A year of planning and anticipation down the drain (but I'm not bitter or anything....). I ended up going to Italy instead with my best friend (7 months later) but almost wished I had stuck with Provence and gone it alone. <BR>I guess after that traumatic break up I'm ultra sensitive about these things. Good luck - go and have a great time!

You had better not go alone, you are already talking baby talk "I going" from the insecurity.

Thanks, Michael, I will look these up.<BR><BR>Joy, I know, it is a disappointment but I am trying to make the best of it and go anyway. I have never traveled alone to Europe, but I feel pretty confident right now about it.<BR><BR>xxxx, it was a typo, I am not THAT afraid.

Last September I traveled to Paris alone. My first trip to Europe and I don't speak the language and I was fine. In October I am going to Rome, Florence, Venice and then back to Paris by myself. I love the independence it affords me. I can do whatever I want. Yes, it is more money but better to spend more money than be stuck with some offbeat unreliable so-called friend. Have a wonderful time.

I was alone in Rome last December. It got dark early - about 5:30. It was a tad bit disconcerting at first, going to dinner, etc, walking the narrow streets in the dark, but you get used to it. Everyone else is out walking around and there's really no need to be afraid.

Hey Joy, play your cards right and you will become our next Lucy.<BR>Seriously, you should be fine alone, I suggest staying around the Pantheon or around the Spanish Steps. Alot of crowds around there. In Florence, stay away from the train station area at night.

We will be returning from Venice and arriving at the Florence train station at midnight. How safe will it be to grab a taxi around the train station at that time?<BR>

DL -- There's a taxi stand out front of the train station in Florence.<BR><BR>Joy, I went to Florence and Venice by myself and was fine. Nervous, but fine. It can be rough to get a taxi at the stands in Rome -- have the restaurant call for you (if you can't speak enough Italian to ask, have the hotel write it on an index card so you can show it to the server). <BR><BR>I did have an unpleasant experience in Florence -- some guy waited for me to eat lunch (he waited from salad through coffee) to fall into step next to me and start asking me questions. He did leave me alone when I said I was meeting my husband. Since this was in the bright early afternoon sun, I was even more leery of walking around in the evening.

Hi<BR>My first trip to Italy, my friend couldn't go to Venice with me and had to cancel at the last minute. I went, nervous, and had a fantastic time before meeting her in Florence later.<BR>Last fall I went to Rome on my own, also had a great time. If you do a search here on Rome hotel or Florence hotel you will find many many suggestions in addition to the ones mentioned above, and many of the past posting are for budget-minded hotels.<BR>I also very much like the Santa Chiara in Rome by the way.<BR>You can also look for hotels at<BR>www.venere.it<BR>I have files on Florence and on Rome; if you'd like to see them, email me.<BR>good luck

I am in Rome for 4 months because I do a training in a hotel (4 stars) and I would like to meet people to discover down town.<BR>so if you know people in Rome...

Thanks for the posts. <BR>Just wondering about the "alone" part though, did you feel lonely when you had no one available to share discoveries with? That is what I am concerned about also, no one to say "look at that" to. How did you all cope or is it really not a problem after you get there.<BR>Benedicte, when I get my flights I will email you.

Hi, Joy. I did a solo trip last year to Rome, Siena, and Florence. The people in Rome and Florence were very friendly so I never felt alone. You'll meet a lot of interesting people, not just from Italy, but from all over the world. I spent 4 nights in Siena and I did get a little bored after a couple of days. You're going to have a great time.<BR><BR>In Rome, I stayed at Pensione Panda by the Spanish Steps (www.hotelpandaparadise.com) and I thought it was a great value for the money. The rooms were very small but very clean. No complaints.<BR><BR>In Florence, I stayed at Hotel Abaco (www.abaco-hotel.it). It was average. I ended up having to reschedule my whole trip after 9/11 and I had to pay for a double room. It probably would have been worth the money if I had paid for a single.

Thanks for the encouragement, I just think I might get a little lonely when I don't have someone to share things with. But I make friends fairly easily, so I can always start a conversaton with a friendly looking person. I am taking classes in Italian so I can get by. How do you single travelers cope with loneliness?

Joy, you're assuming that being alone equates with loneliness. It doesn't.

Joy: This is advise from my daughter who travels overseas 2 weeks each month on business. Being able to do exactly what YOU want to do, when you want to do it, far outweights the few lonely moments. And when you get home, all you'll remember are the experiences you had and none of the times you were alone. Think about - it sure makes sense. <BR>I may be traveling to Rome this fall also by myself. Let me know when you're going and maybe we can meet up for dinner.

Combat loneliness by planning your day to some extent. Take group tours if you don't want to wander by yourself. Plan dinner at a small, friendly place where you can start a conversation with fellow patrons. Or meet someone in your hotel and ask them to join you for dinner. I think there's a great cameraderie among travelers that will serve you well.

Having spent a lot of time (40 years) in your (solo, female, avid traveller) situation, I will pass along my best tip. Use smaller hotels with little breakfast rooms and go there when they open with a book (guide-book or other) to keep you company and stay as long as you can without feeling awkward.If you are not shy, smile at others and "act approachable", you are almost bound to meet someone else in your situation who is looking for a dinner companion or museum buddy. <BR><BR>I have met many wonderful life-long male and female friends from all over the world using this method and I even dated a very nice guy met this way after we both got home!

Thanks, I needed that. If I go with the idea that alone is lonely I am defeating my own purpose of a pleasure trip, aren't I? I haven't traveled "by myself" such a long distance before, so I am kind of apprehensive, but reading notes from fellow women traveling alone and liking it gives me courage. I like your ideas so far and will def. post when the plans are settled.