Hello!
So happy to see the Thorn Tree is still growing.
My husband and I are attending a swanky party in Florence. However, we do not have the swanky budget of the rest of the party-goers. Does anyone know of budget-friendly ($150 CAD or less) accommodations in the historical downtown?

We have two nights to spend in Tuscany after the party but do not have a car. Are there any hidden gems we can stay at by getting to and fro by public transit? Thanks!

There are any number of towns easy to reach by train or bus from Florence... you're asking about hidden gems though, which would rule out already known gems... Lucca, Siena are both in that category., but hardly hidden.

Thanks! Any kind of gems are options.

look at google maps and click the transport tab (oval thing at the top). Look for the train symbol

Prato is the first one that is both a gem and close to Firenze https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prato
Pistoia also good https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pistoia
Montecatini has a great spa https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montecatini_Terme
etc etc

Alternatively have a look at AirBnB in town but going south across the river and towards the Porta Roma, not fashionable, but very safe