Close to the market...

I stayed in Florence for a month last April and would like to recommend Tourist House Liberty to other women travellers. It's a very nice small hotel, centrally located, very close to San Lorenzo Market (pop in for picnic lunches) and the Accademia museum where you can see the famous statue of David by Michelangelo. I had a very small room (#9), but it was dead quiet, the place was clean and the management was friendly and helpful. It cost me about $35 per night Canadian. E- mail: libertyhouse@iol.it, website: www.touristhouseliberty.it.

Also, I'd like to advise other JourneyWomen to use the trains in Italy - they're fast and efficient, and the bus and train stations are nearly always adjacent, so if you must take a bus at the end of your train ride, it's right there.

Out of the way places not to miss while in Florence? I recommend the suburb of Fiesole, which is at the end of a twenty-minute spectacular local #7 bus ride from central Florence. This is where the rich and famous live!
Sandra, Montreal, Canada

Close to the Duomo...

I wanted to let other JourneyWomen know that while in Florence we stayed at Hotel Il Perseo - Via Cerretani1, and I recommend it to others. It's within walking distance of the train station and very near the Duomo. Rooms overlook a courtyard and are very nice, although not extravagant. Breakfast was included and served in a breakfast room, washrooms were along a common hall, however a sink was available in each room. Some rooms do have bathrooms included but the rate naturally is higher. Owners speak English, French and German. Website: www.hotelperseo.it/perseo.htm
Judy, Ottawa, Canada

Internet, cool drinks and cappuccino...

My recommendation is Hotel Globus. I've been going to this one-star now renovated, two-star hotel in Florence's central market area for years. Yes, before it got renovated, it needed a bit of tender loving fixing up. But I go there because of the great location and the warm service and welcome from owners, Serena and Michele and their staff. They're about 5 minutes walking from the central railway station, in the heart of the San Lorenzo Market, minutes from the Duomo and an easy walk to the river. Perfect! There's a breakfast buffet in a cosy dining room but please, if you must have caffeine like me, order cappuccino not the caffe latte which may be made from a decaffeinated (!) substitute. They have Internet service, safety deposit box, locked entry with video, direct dial phones and cool drinks too. Via San Antonino 24, Florence. Tel: 055-211062. Fax: 055-2396225. E-mail: info@hotelglobus.com Web site: www.hotelglobus.com. Tell them Signora Cohen sent you.
Margaret, www.italycookingschools.com Vancouver, Canada

Bigger splurge in Florence...

I know a delightful little hotel in Florence that is conveniently near the Uffizi (Lungarno della Zecca Vecchia, 24). It's called, The Ritz and it's right on the Arno (where I always wanted to be when I was a student and too poor to stay there). The proprietor is a woman (Mrs. Manola) and she's very kind. She'll give you one of her good river-view rooms with balcony if you ask for it (sorry, I don't remember those room numbers). The price is about US$77-125 for a single, including breakfast. Their e-mail address is ritz@dada.it and their web site is www.florenceitaly.net. Buono viaggio, everybody!
Lyn, Regina, Canada

Safety notes for women...

According to Eyewitness, Travel Guides, Italy, "Women travelling on their own in Italy are likely to meet with a lot of attention. Although this is often more of an irritation than a danger, it is best to keep away from lonely, unlit streets and areas near railway stations at night. Walking quickly and purposefully is a good way to avoid any unwanted attention. The staff at hotels and restaurants generally treat their single female guests and customers with extra care and attention."

Emergency Numbers That Women Should Know
General Emergency #113
Police #112
Medical Emergencies #118

P.S. For an intro to this lush travel guide to Italy, you can see sample pages at: http://www.amazon.com/.