We just got back from a two week trip to Ireland (five different cities/towns), and stayed at small b&b’s in each location and loved it, especially being able to connect with our hosts. I know Ireland is sort of known for b&b’s, and we’d love to do that in Italy (Rome, Cinque Terre, Florence, Siena), but is that realistic? Are we better off with hotels? We’re planning on renting a car only in Tuscany, otherwise using public transportation.
Obviously this is our first trip!
Thanks for any advice!
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
8664 posts
Could you clarify?
"Airbnbs' are different from "b&bs" (bed and breakfast)
We don't use Airbnb anywhere.
I recommend small hotels for first timers. It's nice to have the 24/7 front desk to help with questions, directions, etc. Most offer breakfast. Many offer parking. They will hold your luggage before and after check in.
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
1769 posts
Hello dcasey2931,
Qucik question - do you mean for your Topic to be "Hotel's vs BnB's?" - versus Airbnb's? Because that sounds more like what you are asking. (If so you might want to edit it for clarity.)
This is totally possible in Italy. Just as in Ireland smaller towns tend having more homey BnB's than big cities but it is possible. We've stayed in BnBs in most of the cities you list and will being doing that in Rome next year. My only caution would be some BnBs are more mini hotels with breakfast while some have very involved hosts. I would try and filter BnB options for a more involved host if that's what you want.
Rick does a pretty good job of finding those kinds of places and most cities have one or more "BnB" listing places. And, of course, there is always here to ask.
Happy Travels,
=Tod
Posted by
778 posts
Sixteen trips to Italy and I have never stayed at a B&B. Not that I wouldn’t like to. Even hotels are rather rare outside of larger towns/cities. What I usually come across and stay at is a place with a few rooms in a large building with an owner/manager who is offsite but reachable via phone. Often a voucher for breakfast (coffee and a pastry) is provided to use at a nearby “bar”. It’s okay if you are independent!