B&B especially for women...

I would like to tell women about my B&B in Florence, Italy. It is a recently opened, exclusive accommodation for women only, located at the top floor (no lift - 68 steps) of a historical palace in the center of Florence, Italy. With a stunning view of Brunelleschi's cupola of the Duomo, it overlooks a quiet inner garden and is only minutes away from the Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio, Santa Croce, the Accademia, the main train station and air terminal. Want to know more? Please visit http://www.bnb.it/beb
Paola Fazzini, Florence

Nuns welcome journey women...

My girlfriend and I stayed at a former monastery called, Casa Santo Nome di Gesu in Piazza del Carmine (Tel: 055-21-3856). The nuns who are in charge now welcome only female travellers or married couples. Bathrooms are down the hall (each floor has plenty of them). The room we were in had two single beds, a sink but no air conditioner (for fresh air we kept our windows open and that was just fine). Breakfast is included in the stay, dinner (extra charge) is large, homemade, inexpensive and heavenly. The environment is loving and friendly and the nuns have created beautiful gardens for their guests to enjoy. From a safety point-of-view, JourneyWomen will be pleased to know there is an 11:00 pm curfew. The massive front doors are the only entrance and they remain locked 24 hours; guests must be rung in. Casa Santo Nome di Gesu charges 55.00 Lira per person per night (about $US 27.00). Dinner was extra -- $12.00 Lira or about US$6.00.

P.S. During World War Two, this monastery hid Jews from the Nazis and was recognized for their efforts; I believe the recognition was from Yad Vashem in Israel.
Kristin, Dallas, USA

Hostel helps kiddies...

In Oltrarno (a district across the Arno River), the Istituto Gould on 49 via del Serragli offers safe and comfortable rooms for approximately 20 Euros a night. It's a good location as it is close to the Ponte Vecchio, less touristy, with the number 11 bus stopping right across from it, and there are several inexpensive places to get food nearby. The only disadvantages I found were the irregular office hours and the somewhat noisy rooms right above the street. E-mail: gould.educativo@dada.it

P.S. There were enough neighbourhood spots to eat around the hostel. I Raddi is a decent place (5-10 Euros per plate) right down a little street directly across from the front door of the Istituto, they have good food, and the service is fine even if you go alone. Heading back towards the river on Via de Serragli, there are three small restaurants/bakeries where you can pop in and get a cheap breakfast. The one closest to the Istituto was my favorite in the mornings, with just the owner and a few regulars. The last one, if you cross at the stoplight and go a little to the right, has the best pastries in town.
Marie, Chattanooga, USA

Ed. note: According to guestinitaly.com, "The Instituto Gould is part of the Protestant Church of Italy and is home for boys and girls from eight to 18 who cannot live with their own families. On the second floor in the Florence location, the institute operates a type of hostel open to anyone. The rooms are clean and very neat. Five rooms open onto a lovely shared terrace; others overlook the institute's gardens and Fort Belvedere in the distance. The best part about this accommodation is that the money received goes directly to the institute to help the children." You can also book rooms at the Istituto online through www.guestinitaly.com, if you look up Florence hotels.