mkz

I will be traveling alone to Florence next month. Please share your experiences.
- Looking for hotel - safe and central location (walking distance to museums and other historical places). Budget about a 100 Euro
-Is there any neighborhood I should avoid?
-Do’s and don’ts
-How is the weather in late Sept?
-Day trip suggestion

Thank you

Andrew

Put Siena high on your list for day trips. (easier to get to by bus than train from Florence). What a wonderful town! Amazing town square but just fun to wander around. Very much regret not spending a night in Siena, when I hear it's even better.

Fiesole also makes a nice short half day trip. You can get there by city bus, about an hour each way as I recall.

Pisa isn't too hard for a day trip either, if you just want to see the Tower and the Field of Miracles. Lots of direct trains to Pisa from Florence.

Weather in early October 2007 was quite nice as I recall - not exceptionally hot, not rainy, pleasant evenings though of course the weather varies. I'd expect a good chance of similar weather in late September, though.

franco

Safety is no issue in Florence. You can stay anywhere you please.

charnees

Not having had the need, I have never looked for a convent to stay in there, but it seems to me it could be a good place for you. Perhaps you could google convent accommodations Florence, Italy.

Or maybe someone here will know of one.

zoecat

Here are a few hotels/b&b's that are central and may fit your budget-

http://www.davidhotel.it/
http://www.proconsolo.com/
http://www.florencegrandtour.com/index.php
http://www.rentinginitaly.com/villa/bbpiazza/
http://www.touristhouseghiberti.com/eng/01-home.html
http://www.residenzailvillino.com/index.cfm
http://www.hotelporcellino.eu/
http://www.hotelcestelli.com/
http://www.hotelbalcony.com/en/rooms.htm
http://www.hotelsantacroce.it/12,12.html
http://www.sanlorenzohotel.it/rooms.php
http://www.bbrepubblica.com/index.html
http://www.ilsalottodifirenze.it/en/index.php
http://aflorencebedandbreakfast.com/index.html


This one is rated #1 on Trip Advisor and is very nice, but it may be above your budget-
http://www.hoteldavanzati.it/

Consider an apartment. It will give you more space and the option of staying in and cooking your own meals when you don't feel like going out for a meal or snack. Also, it may be less expensive.

Apartments in Florence-

http://www.residenzailcarmine.com/

Reviews with links-

http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/vr/list.asp?r=Florence

I suggest not staying too near the train station (try to be a few blacks away, at least) and not west of the train station (yuk!).

A few day trip possibilities:

By train-

Pisa
Lucca
Pistoia
Montacateni Termi
Bologna
Arezzo
Prato

By bus-

Volterra
San Gimignano
Siena
Fiesole (15-20 minutes by bus- not an hour as Andrew thought he recalled)
Greve in Chianti

joannyc

The Florence Chamber of Commerce offers a guided food, wine, and handicraft tour of Chianti for 15 euros on Thursdays.

http://www.firenzeturismo.it/en/prom...anti-area.html

You can do both Lucca and Pisa in a one-day trip... I recommend doing Lucca first and then Pisa in the late afternoon... the light at that time of day at the Field of Miracles is beautiful.

Also, highly agree with the Siena recommendation. Spend a night or two, if you can.

I was in Florence late last September, the weather was sunny and very warm.

Can't make a hotel suggestion as I was staying on Hilton points at the HGI.

joannyc

Also, loved San Gimignano!!!

Andrew

Where do you get 15-20 minutes to Fiesole? According to Google, it's 35-40 minutes on the #7 and a connection from SMN.

zoecat

Andrew,

I have stayed in Fiesole a few times and the bus took 20 minutes from SMN, direct.

This site also mentions that it is 20 minutes-

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel...sole-BR-1.html

This one also-

http://www.svt.ntnu.no/noseb/costa19.../firenze3.html

I think Google must not be accurate.

mkz

Thank you everyone. These are very helpful information. Looking forward to explore and relax in the coming few weeks.

Flame123

I can highly suggest the Hotel Casci, we have stayed there each of the five times we visited Florence. I believe it suits your budget and it is an immaculately clean, small family-run pensione (B&B) in the middle of the small center of Florence. The family who run it could not be sweeter, more caring or accomodating. It gets great reviews on TA (true reviews - I can vouch!!). Breakfast is large and varied, much more than usual for Italian hotels. Check it out and enjoy your trip.

By the way, weather at that time of year is usually fantastic. Still warm but not hot anymore.

geyserland

Hi MKZ From a recommendation we have booked at the ALBERGO FIRENZE. This is supposed to be very close to the main railway station. Cost per double room 2 persons with breakfast is Eu84 per room but less 20% if booked 21 days in advance. I was told to ask for a room about the 3rd. floor and overlooking the street.
email is: [email protected]
telephone +39 055268301, fax +39 055212370

Cheers.

kfusto

I would not stay near the train station as this is a charmless area and there are many better options.

I have been to Florence solo and it is a place where you can feel quite comfortable. I would look in the Oltrarno for accommodations or a bit out of the busy center where you can be in a more residential neighborhood and enjoy your immediate surroundings. I have always enjoyed the area near Piazza della Liberta and have gotten some great rates at San Gallo Palace. I have stayed there 4 times and it is a great value for the price.

I am not a fan of San Gimignano as I find it incredibly touristy but many seem to love it. Once was it for me.

I would look at Bologna as an easy day trip. A lovely city and a pleasure to spend time in. Siena is also quite pretty. It all depends what you are looking for.

kybourbon

I think I paid 60€ for a single at Alloro B&B September 2008. It's a couple of blocks from the Duomo. My single was small, but had a mini-fridge, tea kettle and snacks (some free, some a charge). Although my room faced a side street (via Alloro) it was quiet as there wasn't much traffic on the street.
http://www.allorobb.it/Eng/index.html