Travelling alone to Italy
 

I shall be in Italy from 10-15 Oct, could somebody please suggest cheap and safe hotels in Florence and Rome. This is my first trip to Europe so I am a bit scared. Also I cannot decide whether I should go to Capri or Venice, would like to go to both but time will not permit.So please help me to decide.

good luck.

If you're only going to be there for that amount of time, I wouldn't do either. There's plenty to see in Florence and Rome. You could do a daytrip to Siena from Florence, perhaps, if you'd really like to see a third place.

Goto www.eurocheapo.com

Are you going to Europe from another continent? (evidently so, otherwise, you wouldn't call it your first trip to Europe!)

Is Oct 10-15 the entire durtion of your trip to Europe? (or just Italy?) Why? or headed onward somewhere else?

I might recommend JUST Florence for three days (if not five), and then two in Venice (second choice, Rome).

But surely, there is more to this story. More advice from me will be predicated on that!

Best wishes,

Rex

Hello. In January, I visited Florence on my own (my second trip to Florence and fourth to Italy) and stayed at Hotel Davanzati which is located in a nice part of Florence, centrally located and within easy walking distance to a lot of great things to see. I thought it was reasonably priced (though it was January and their lowest rates), clean and the staff was exceptional. I am not sure what your budget/range is so it may be more expensive than you are able to spend.

I was scared also before I left and everything went smoothly. Best of luck to you.

Parla italiano?

Info: Davanzati Hotel
Via Porta Rossa 5
Florence - Italy
http://hoteldavanzati.it
[email protected]
Tel +39 055 286666
Fax +39 055 2658252

Where are you flying in and out of? Have you purchased a plane ticket? With only 5 days, I would pick only 1 city (or 2 at the max.).

What is your budget for hotels? Are you willing to stay in a hostel, B&B, or convent? Or do you want a regular hotel?

don't be scared !! just go !

First time I travelled alone was when I was 19 to Germany, Amsterdam and then Scotland for a total of 4 weeks !! I used the Inter Rail pass and was staying in youth hostels for cheap accomodations.
Now I am 40, still travel the world with my family and 2 children always independently but that first trip through Europe was the best trip I ever made !! Lots of new friends and 100 %freedom that would not possible if I traveled with friends or family !!

with only 5 days in Italy just pick one destination! Either Rome or Florence with side trips into the rest of Tuscany.

Save the rest for another trip to Italy, as Rome and Venice deserve at least 5 days EACH !!

Hi, pi3, I would pick just one of the two cities you mentioned, but perhaps take a day trip one day out of the city (ie, go to Lucca for the day from Florence, or Ostia Antica for the day from Rome).

It is hard to know your budget. I use Fodor's for their site descriptions. For you, I suggest getting a second guide book from the "Let's Go" series. These are geared toward college students and those on a very tight budget.

If you are young and can bring a sleeping bag, consider a hostel. If the hostel you pick belongs to the youth hostel association (IYH), you are more sure it will be clean and no plaster peeling. (Let's Go reviews all the hostels.)

I am guessing if you are concerned about safety that you are female. At a hostel in the evening, you will probably meet other young women that you can do day trips with, and it is fun to meet Europeans, Australians and Canadians, much less isolating, but obviously use your common sense with your new acquaintances.

The negatives of a hostel is that you are in a single-sex dorm (not a private room), and also that there is usually a lockout during the day. You may usually leave your luggage in a locked room but you can't access it during until late afternoon when the hostel reopens.

If you want a private room (and sometimes a private bath), consider a convent. I have never stayed in one, but friends of mine tell me good things about their experience. Here is a link to an English speaking church in Rome, which has listings for many convents in Italian cities.
http://www.santasusanna.org/comingToRome/convents.html

One I did not see there, the "Villa Maria Pia" is quite new, no curfew but over near St. Peter's in Rome. Email for them: [email protected]

Convents as a rule are very safe, however many do have curfews of 10 p.m. or 11 p.m., probably you would be back by then if you are concerned about safety.

Finally if you want a regular hotel in Rome that is safe and inexpensive the Hotel Alimandi near the Vatican Museums would be my suggestion. It also had/has a bus to the airport, little or no charge, ask when you reserve.

I would definitely not miss the opportunity to visit Europe, just trust your instincts and you'll be fine.
Good luck!

pi3, I would recommend Hotel Julia in Rome: http://www.hoteljulia.it
It's a 3* hotel with 24-hour reception. If you get a single, economical room, it's very reasonable. And it's walking distance to most of the sites.

For Florence, the Casa Santa Nome de Gesu convent was great, but it might be booked up by now. A couple posters here have recommended Hotel Bavaria.

Don't be scared, but do be sensible. My 21 yr. old daughter has been in Italy for the past 6 months and has travelled many places by herself. I think it's much safer than the U.S.

You don't say what age your are or what kind of budget you're on. If you're in your twenties, you might want to stay at youth hostals which are very reasonably priced and where you can meet other young travellers. Let us know so we can offer advise depending on your needs.

Does this 6 days include travel, or actual days there?

If it includes travel, I would suggest spend the entire time in Rome with a 1 (long) day trip to Florence. If you do the i day trip, leave real early and return real late. Take the EuroStar(ES) or rapido to Florence to reduce train time.

If it is actual in country time, spend a couple of days in Florence.

Possible idea. Fly into Rome and out of Florance.

Don't be scared. As far as I am concerned, the only differance from traveling solo in the states is the distance. Crime occors anywhere where there are large groups of people distracted, including the USA. Safety has a lot to do with your alertness. Be aware and alert of your surroundings, walk with confidence, do not flash money, be wary of unknown people approaching you without you permission. Taxis cost more, but get you there faster and with less chance of pickpockets.

Many Italians speak English, so the language differance is not as bad as it could be.