Hi Folks! I am a woman traveling solo to Italy in June and a bit nervous about it. I am starting in Venice, then Florence, Rome and Sorrento. Could anyone tell me of a safe, reasonably priced place to stay in Venice or any of the other cities? I am on a budget and going to spend 16 days traveling, a few days in each place. Any suggestions on whether travel by car or train is best when traveling alone?

All responses would be greatly appreciated!

Hi. What price range are you looking for?

You'll have a great time!

I'm female, and have been to Italy three times with at least parts of my trips on my own. I prefer travel via train (or bus, if that's more logical) if I don't have someone along to help navigate.

I can recommend the following hotels from my last trip - Venice: Locanda Leon Bianco, Florence: Hotel Consigli, Rome: Residenza San Pantaleo (I actually rented an apartment from them, because the hotel itself was full.)

You'll probably get better feedback re hotels if you give a price range that is "reasonable" for you, since this varies a great deal from person to person.

Type "solo AND italy" (or each city name) to pull up lots of prior threads on the subject. You can do the same thing for hotels, and/or check the Rants and Raves section here.

Buon viaggio!

There was a great convent hostel for women only - but I'm afraid the details escape me just now. If you are travelling on a strict budget, as I was, and don't mind a very strict curfew (9pm I think!) and sleeping in dorms - its a great place. Very friendly, safe, and I met loads of fellow travellers there.

I'll post again if I remember the name of the convent.

Nappy there are really no "unsafe" areas in Venice although I guess being in a hotel on a narrow alley might be unsettling to come home to at night alone (but probably shouldn't be). The one area that's not so attractive (and is therefore usually less expensive) is near the train station.

There are tons of hotels, b&bs etc. if you do a text search here on the board(type in venice AND budget hotel- or something similar) or go to the hotel section on Fodors. You don't say what your idea of budget is. Venice is expensive but single rooms can probably be had for 70-100e/nite.

If I were going alone, I'd prefer train travel. Hope this gets you started.

Hi Nappy,

I suggest trains and buses. It is not easy driving in a strange country without someone to help navigate.

EXCELLENT point, Ira.

Thank you, Iregeo.

I thought yours was a good point, too.

I've offered this advice so often that I sound like a broken record, but I don't think you can beat religious housing in Italy for value, cleanliness, safety, convenience, etc. All of the convents we stayed in were well located, and especially safe feeling. The one in Rome was well lit, had a security camera on the electrically controlled doors. The ones in Venice and Siena also had electrically operated doors or gates.

Hi
on each of my trips to Italy I have been alone part of the time. First trip to Venice was on my own, and that water and boat thing worried me terribly for some reason. It was a snap.

I would not like to drive on my own, but that's me--hard to navigate and drive all at once. Parking in cities and many towns is also a nightmare.
Trains are easy, clean, and pretty much on time.

I have files on Florence, Venice and Rome. If you'd like to see them, email me at [email protected]

here is some info on convents in Rome that accept guests
http://www.romeguide.it/files/cas_rein.htm
A complete list is available from the Centro Peregrinatio ad Petri Sedem, Piazza Pio Xii, 4 (Vatican City) phone 06 69 88 48 96, fax 06 69 88 56 17.
Also look at the list at www.santasusanna.org/comingtorome/convents
one of the best is said to be
Casa Santa Brigida
www.bridigine.org

for a Rome budget hotel, look into
www.hotelparlamento.it or
www.hotelpandaparadise.com

Venice feels and is safe, and I probably wouldn't want to forego freedom of movement for safety there. Trains are a cinch, as is most public transport, and I've been using them solo since I was 20---never even the slightest problem.

In Venice particularly try Best Western. There is one right across the footbridge from St. Marks Square. Best Western is also a good choice for other places in Europe. (As you can tell by the pics on their site they are nothing like Best Westerns in the US). I would also vote for the train. Easy, inexpensive & stress-free compared to attempting to drive in Italy.

I really liked Hotel Dolomiti near the train station. I could not find a website, but a google search pulls up reviews on tripadvisor and virtualtourist. There is no elevator, but the rooms have been recently redone and they were spacious and spotless. The bathroom was the best I have encountered in my Europe travels, it was very large. The breakfast room was nice, and the hot chocolate was delicious. We had our best meal of the 3 nights we were in Venice at a restaurant nearby, I believe it may have been called "Gondolier" or something like that. I didn't find the area at all seedy.

Hi Folks!

thanks for all the good advice and suggestion to add a price range - sorry I wasn't thinking. If I could keep it at $100 per night or under that would help a lot!

thanks again for all the great advice!
Nappy

Have traveled solo in Venice and Florence without issue.

Here are some hotels I've stayed at and were under US$100/night (and were perfectly safe):

Venice: www.locandafiorita.com [click on my name to see my comments on Elaine's post]
www.hotelgalleria.it
http://www.locandamontin.com/ [am staying here in Oct., so no review yet]

Florence:
http://www.johlea.it
Locanda Orchidea ([email protected])

Please feel free to drop me an email about solo travel if you have any questions: [email protected]

Sounds like a great trip that you're planning!

Hotel for Venice, Pensione La Calcina. www.lacalcina.com Lovely place on the Guidecca canal 1st recommended by friends in Switzerland. Easy to get to by vaporetto from the train station. Nice breakfast included in room price.

I've been in Venice twice, the first time solo for 5 days. It was the easiest place I've ever traveled. Felt totally safe and simple to get around on foot.

Definitely the trains! Although possibly a bit intimidating at first if you have never used them, you'll get the hang of it. Personally I would never consider renting a car traveling alone. What a hassle, I imagine anyway.

Have a wonderful trip, Susan

Sorrento, Hotel Elios. Via Capo 33. Got a double room, with bath overlooking the water for 55 euro on a holiday weekend.

I also second the recommendation for La Calcina in Venice.

Does anyone know if there is a website for Hotel Elios in Sorrento? Thanks for the tip on Lacalcina in Venice - it looks great on the web page!

Thanks everyone for your help!