Affordable, unique lodging in Tuscany, Cinque Terre, Lucca, Florence

you definitely don't want a car for your time in Florence and you really don't need a car in Lucca or Siena you don't need a car in Cinque Terre a car is good for tuscan countryside for lodging choices check the Rick Steve's Italy 2012 book and Tripadvisor hotel reviews
fyi-many of the rental cars in Italy will be stick shift

Liz, I "second" the comments that Toni made. I'd suggest renting a car only for those locations not well served. Renting a car in Florence, Lucca, Siena or the Cinque Terre is definitely not necessary. A few points to keep in mind. For driving in Italy, each driver must have the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. These are valid for one year, and easily obtained at any AAA office (two Passport-sized photos required, which in some case is offered at the issuing office). Failure to produce an IDP if requested can result in fines on the spot! Have a look at This Website for more detailed information. You may also want to have a look at some of the other posts here concerning the dreaded Zona Traffico Limitato areas that are becoming increasingly prevalent in many Italian towns & cities ( especially Florence!). EACH PASS through one of the automated Cameras will result in a €100+ ticket! A GPS along with a good Map would also be a good idea. Be sure to also give some thought to the question of CDW. If you accept the CDW offered by the rental firm, it will be expensive but will provide "peace of mind". Some "premium" credit cards provide rental vehicle insurance, however I've found this to be somewhat complicated. Check the Car Rental section in Europe Through The Back Door for further information. The Italy Guidebook has lots of suggestions for good Hotels and restaurants. Most of the Guidebooks are now available in E-book format. I'd suggest packing the book along, as I've found it to be great for reference during trips. Happy travels!

If you cannot drive a stick shift can your husband? If you need to rent an automatic it can cost a bit more or a lot more... it just depends. I would rent the car in Florence at the airport and only use it around the villages of Tuscany. Sienna is a difficult area with a car so I would figure out something else and you do not need the car to get to CT. Take the train there. Or if you are going for the day leave your car at a hotel or train station in LaSpezia and go by train. If you do the train or bus it is a different kind of trip. For that convenience and strict timetable you will give up the freedom of roadside stop for picnics or visits to vineyards that you may see along the way, stopping to wander through a field of poppies or sunflowers and driving to the top of a hill to watch the sunset. All of those experiences are why I tend to prefer car travel for lots of my trips. I don't always have reservations so I can find those 'back doors' on my own.

I highly recommend CinqueTerre Residence in Riomaggiore. It's a good workout to get to the purpose-built hotel on the hillside, but this tends to be the case with most of the best lodgings in the area. I paid 60 euro per night for a single w/ private bath and a small semi-private balcony in October. Fabulous.

When are you going? That place Kevan mentioned was a low season price for a single. A double room there in the main season, May thru September, is not such a good deal. 140 euros, unless you stay 3nights or more and it goes down to 130 euros. You can stay in Manarola at the well-regarded Ca d'Andrean for 100 euros a night. Or splurge on the beautiful La Toretta for 145. You can see everything you list by train, no car needed. If you would like one to poke around small villages, rent it in Lucca when you are ready to leave there. Cars are a pain if you are staying in the historic center of places like Florence, Lucca, and Siena.

Thanks all, Yes, we'll be there in May (mid-may) so technically peak season. Hence, the need to maybe stay at some hostels. But we're not into sharing :). So any nicer, private room hostel recs would be great. Would I be correct in assuming I might get better hostel selections in Florence, compared to some of the smaller cities like Cinque Terre, Lucca, etc.?

Liz, Just to clarify, the Cinque Terre is not a "city" but rather five small villages on the Ligurian coast. There are two "main" Hostels in that area.... The "official" Hostel is in Manarola, and is very well run and clean. However, one important point to note is that they have a strict Lockout in the afternoon, so you wouldn't be able to return to your room for ANY reason during that time. I believe they do offer double rooms, but I'd suggest booking early. There's now another Hostel in Corniglia, and although I haven't stayed there it also appears to be very good. They also have a Lockout in the afternoon, but I don't know how "strict" this is? I believe they also offer doubles. There's also a somewhat "unofficial" Hostel in Riomaggiore operated by Mar-Mar Rooms. I've stayed in their rooms but never in the "Hostel", but you can contact them for further information if you're interested. I was very pleased with the room they provided. Finally, there's also the "famous" Mama Rosa Hostel in Riomaggiore (right by the station) but it seems to have somewhat of a "colorful reputation" so it's not likely one that I would consider. I can provide website links for some of these properties if you're interested. You may also want to have a look at the Italy Guidebook for information on budget Hotels. Cheers!

We stayed at Hotel City in Florence and really liked it. It was small and elegant at a very reasonable price. A delicious breakfast was included. The location was walking distance to all sights and was just a quick walk to the train station (which we did in the pouring rain!). Here is the link http://www.booking.com/hotel/it/city-firenze.html?aid=311088&#59;label=hotel-84686-it-f2P1k2MKAOK6L5YUhk_OfwS821857683&#59;ws=&gclid=CLCS9eDnpa0CFScRNAodzlcxlQry reasonable price

No car is needed. I always go by train when in Italy. City buses around town. In Lucca I stay at the San Frediano (a converted convent)...plain, clean and cheap...great location right off of via Fullingo(may have spelling wrong)...the main shopping street, across from a great pizza place, backs up to the wall around Lucca....great for walking and biking. Lucca is a great walking town...great merry go round in park, catch the a Puccini performances nightly, many nice churches. Arrive by train and take one of the taxis to your hotel. I would stay inside the walls. Florence is a good walking city.
Siena is a good walking city. YOu will need to take a taxi from the station. Lots of up and down walking...it is more "hilly" than Lucca. You don't say "when" you are going. Book early!

What is your budget for accomodations? My husband and I recently returned from travels in Venice, Florence, Lucca, CT and Rome- and I found better deals for double rooms in small B&Bs than private doubles in hostels. Our budget ended up being about 120 euros per night (September high season).

We'll be in Italy May 21st-June 1st. Definitely peak season. I'm finding the same results--seems cheaper to do double rooms at B & Bs or hotels. In florence especially! Seems to be a great divide between the cheap hotels and the nice hotels. And all the bathrooms are shared. Not sure how I feel about that...

We could give you more specific advice about lodging if you could tell us the price, or price range, that you're shooting for. The last time we visited Florence, we stayed at a wonderful, beautiful, centrally-located B&B with gracious hosts, called Casa dei Tintori. Don't know if it's in your price range, though. We always have rented a car for travel in the rural areas of Tuscany, but we both drive a manual, so that's not a problem for us. It does make it easier to get around, and to set your own schedule. But if you do rent a car, do so outside of Florence.