Hi All,

This chatboard came highly recommended from a well-traveled friend of mine. I'm going to Florence with my mum in March. There have been great hotel suggestions here, but I am looking for the bare minimum. We don't mind sharing rooms dormitory style or sharing the bathroom. Anything to keep the cost down. Thanks so much!

If you're serious about bare minimum, you can probably stay in a convent or monastery. There is a book that lists them all over Italy - the name escapes me at the moment, but I'm sure someone else here knows it.

Check here:
http://www.bugeurope.com/reviews/Ita...cany/Florence/

I've heard the Instituto Gould is very good.

I just remembered the name of the book -Bed and Blessings.

Hi Cidell,

I can highly recommend the B&B Peterson in Florence. www.bedinflorence.it

The Ancilotti's are lovely people. Say "hi" to them for me if you go.

See my trip report
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044

Thanks everyone for your help. I was able to secure Tourist House Liberty http://www.touristhouseliberty.it/home.cfm in Florence.

One caveat to those who are looking to try the monstary convent route (which I think is an excellant idea) many do not have internet. Most are listed in books, but after StCirq's suggestion, I did find one website: http://www.santasusanna.org/comingTo....html#Florence that lists a few of them.

And WillTravel, we did fax Instituto Gould, but heard back from Tourist House first.

Thanks everyone for your ideas! I can't wait to go!