Any recommendations for lodging (youth hostels and/or regular hotels) in the cities of Milan and Florence? I don't want to pay more than 70 euros per night. Thanks.
--Miguel

Have been to Milan once, stayed in a hotel by the underground line north towards Garibaldi. Don't remember which one though...
Sorry for not having an accurate answer - but generally I believe it is not too hard to find a cheap hotel. Just have a good city map and be prepared to walk (that is: you should conveniently be able to carry your luggage!). If you are missing a map - they could often be found in better class hotel lobbys.
Follow main streets outside the "commercial center" along the underground lines and have a stroll on the side streets - hotel signs are often easy to spot.

Hopefully someone here could give a better hint (hey, I will be in Milan around the 12-14 Oct after my Mont Blanc/Dolomites trip and need some ideas too!).

Any specific reason for going to Milan other than you'll be in the neighborhood. I ask that because there's not nearly as much to see there as most other cities in Tuscany for example. The two biggest things are the Duomo and Last Supper. Apart from that, there's the Castello Sforzesca and not alot else. Unless you're a fashion model or want to see some opera at La Scala, Milan is mostly a big, industrial city. I think I'd rather spend the time in Siena or some other cool little small town in Tuscany like Montalcino, Lucca, etc.

Having said that, I stayed in a hostel several blocks down from the Duomo. It was listed in the Let's Go guide but was definitely OK. I've been to Florence a couple of times, the last time at a nice place for my honeymoon which was out of your price range. For the life of me, I can't remember where I stayed the time before. Most cheaper places are by the train station. The town's pretty compact, so you won't have to walk far wherever you stay. I'd look for recommendations on Lonely Planet's forum or something like that.

fatdad wrote:Any specific reason for going to Milan other than you'll be in the neighborhood. I ask that because there's not nearly as much to see there as most other cities in Tuscany for example. The two biggest things are the Duomo and Last Supper. Apart from that, there's the Castello Sforzesca and not alot else. Unless you're a fashion model or want to see some opera at La Scala, Milan is mostly a big, industrial city. I think I'd rather spend the time in Siena or some other cool little small town in Tuscany like Montalcino, Lucca, etc.

Agree completely - after seeing Duomo and walked on the cool roof with gargoyle sculptures the rest of the town "sucks" (do not think the brick building Sforzesca or the inside musem was very impressive).
But Milan is centrally located for reaching the italian Alps, Tuscany is almost off the charts compared to Milan.

fatdad wrote:The two biggest things are the Duomo and Last Supper. Apart from that, there's the Castello Sforzesca and not alot else.

You forgot the Brera, not the best museum in Italy but certainly in the top ten, and worth a visit for Mantegna's Dead Christ alone.

MichaelJ wrote:

fatdad wrote:The two biggest things are the Duomo and Last Supper. Apart from that, there's the Castello Sforzesca and not alot else.

You forgot the Brera, not the best museum in Italy but certainly in the top ten, and worth a visit for Mantegna's Dead Christ alone.

Is that the foreshortened Christ? If so, I thought that was in the Uffizi.

IslandTraveller wrote:Agree completely - after seeing Duomo and walked on the cool roof with gargoyle sculptures the rest of the town "sucks" (do not think the brick building Sforzesca or the inside musem was very impressive).

http://www.turismo.comune.milano.it/pls/milano/!turismo?pid=2&_first=1
Milan is very little known
maybe that for you Barcelona means only Sagrada Famiglia and Park Guell

fatdad wrote:

MichaelJ wrote:You forgot the Brera, not the best museum in Italy but certainly in the top ten, and worth a visit for Mantegna's Dead Christ alone.

Is that the foreshortened Christ? If so, I thought that was in the Uffizi.

It's at Pinacoteca di Brera and I agree that it's worth the visit alone, though the museum has a lot more.

gabriele wrote:Milan is very little known

Well - I also did visit the museum in La Scala this time. Some traditional music instruments and lots of portraits of actors/musicians. The Palazzo Reale had some modern art exhibitions too.
In short: Milan has a lot to offer if you like to watch paintings and do fashion shopping. I do not. But Il Duomo is great and it is convenient to find public transportation to other places in northern Italy from the city.

gabriele wrote:maybe that for you Barcelona means only Sagrada Famiglia and Park Guell

Hmm... Just been in Barcelona for some hours and one "drive by" occasion - never had the time to see any of the city attractions! Hope to be able to get there again soon.

IslandTraveller wrote:In short: Milan has a lot to offer if you like to watch paintings and do fashion shopping. I do not.

Ok, so thousands of cultured people coming from nations that have a long and important history, come to visit Milan only for shopping
You are allowed to go on thinking that way