Recommendations for apartments or B&B in Safe area in Florence

Sharon, I'm concerned that you mentioned feeling safe and in a safe area twice. It is obviously very concerning to you. May I ask why? Have you previously had difficulties or do you have specific concerns? As for me, I have had no more concerns in Firenze than anywhere else. Its not clear from your signature if the Venice is Florida, California, Italy or elsewhere, but if its California I lived quite close and would have many more worries In Venice, CA than in Firenze, for what its worth.

Do you have the RS Italy book? It's loaded with lots of lodging options for all budgets. Happy travels.

Read the reviews on Tripadvisor for B&B Casa die Tintori. Great location, near the river and the Uffizzi but off the tourist path. We liked it a lot.

Lola, Thank you, I will check it out, location sounds good. Sharon

If you are on a budget (as I am, I like to turn money into more travel time), check out the Hotel Medici in Florence, about two blocks from the Duomo. Wraparound city views from the rooftop terrace. Breakfast not great. There is an elevator (terrace is on the 6th floor).

We too are seniors and we also were in Florence in late May. The only concerns we had were for pickpockets. We kept our money and passports as safely as we could and that was the best we could do. We were never in any other type of danger. There are tons of people in the historic areas and the Ponte Vecchio. Big crowds in the major plazas. You won't escape this but we did not feel in any danger walking around Florence. For a place to stay, you might look into Tourist House Ghiberti. It's just behind il Duomo and about 6-7 blocks from the train station. http://www.touristhouseghiberti.com/eng/01-home.html

My sister and I went to Rome in mid October of this year to visit her daughter studying abroad. The three of us took a weekend trip to Florence and stayed at Hotel Accademia, which is a very easy walk from the train station and a few steps away from the Medici Chapel and San Lorenzo markets. We paid 150 Euros for a large triple including breakfast which was meats, cheeses, etc. Would stay here again. Have also rented an apartment Oltrarno neighborhood too for a stay of five nights.

if it fits your budget Residenza Il Villino is a wonderful hotel

Thank you for the wonderful suggestions, I am checking them out! Sharon

Try the Hotel Bavaria: http://www.hotelbavariafirenze.it/ I have been inside, it's in an old palazzo; and is safe. It has a giant door on the street with big keys. It's inexpensive; and I know two sets of people who have stayed there with no complaints.
It's close to everything in the Centre of Florence.