Self catering from your hotel room?

greenbee

If you're close to San Lorenzo in Florence, you're also not far from the main food market. It's a while since I lived there (in a flat directly opposite San Lorenzo, so between the bells and the market setting up at the crack of dawn, I didn't get much sleep!), but the S. Lorenzo market tends to be leather goods and touristy stuff, so you need to go through it to the far end and eventually you'll come to the food market (indoors). There also used to be some good, cheap places to eat if you went beyond the market.

hollydays

We are staying between The Station and the market,(may rebook a hostel though,now I have been shown that site)and I know that market well,it's really lovely,have never bought much food off it yet.

Jasper27_2

I always take a bit of basic equipment with me. I have some lightweight plastic picnic plates and bowls and some plastic cutlery (sturdier than the disposable stuff) and some sandwich bags. This lot doesn't take much space or weight much but makes a bit of self-catering easier.

23rdspiral

Hollydays - thank you for posting this question - it's exactly what i wanted to know!
we are going this week, and there's some very helpful hints.
have you been already? do you have any feedback?

Nitha

Not really self catering but my ex and I once stuck a leftover chinese doggybag in a hotel mini fridge and ate it cold the next day. Honestly sometimes I think I'm created by the writer of 'Two pints of lager and a packet of crisps'.

skint_chick

When I went on hols to Italy last year there were lots of shops selling fresh bread - so I bought a long baguette and split it in 2 then filled it with local cheese and yummy parma ham. Buy some big bottles of water and add some grape/orange/fruit juice so you have your own squash. I made this into picnics at scenic places with a hint of romance so OH didn't even realise I was moneysaving take a picnic blanket - try Asda/Argos/Matalan so you can sit anywhere - and some plastic glasses and plates - you can put socks inside the glasses and wrap the plates in your clothes for space saving when packing.

Even the cheaper hotels tend to have small fridges in to keep meat/cheese/drinks cool overnight. I agree with the eating out at lunchtime plan - it tends to work out cheaper than dinner. Definitely head for local markets and try some local produce -sooo much nicer than here! Have a great time

23rdspiral

skint_chick wrote: »

I made this into picnics at scenic places with a hint of romance so OH didn't even realise I was moneysaving take a picnic blanket -so you can sit anywhere - Have a great time

i'd never though to take a picnik blanket on hoilday. always have one in the car in the uk though. doh! THANKS!

gillian62

We go away on Friday to stop for 2 nights at a Travelodge, as our eldest son is getting married.

The room does have a minibar, so assume there will be a very small fridge we can use.

Money is very tight (esp as it's going to cost £70 in fuel for the weekend).

Friday I will have food with me, but what ideas can you give me for Saturday breakfast, Sunday breakfast and lunch before we travel home later on Sunday please? There will be 3 adults and 1 teenage child to cater for.

PasturesNew

Flapjacks and fruit juice for breakfast. Also bananas.

I'd think about taking: tins of pineapple (ring pull), box of ritz biscuits, boiled eggs/salad stuff (grated carrot, lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, potato salad, pasta salad) in a coolbag, crisps, bread rolls and some squirty/soft cheese (in cool bag). Cup a soup, pot noodle style packets. Tin of creamed rice (ring pull), it's lovely cold. Box of ritz biscuits or biscuits for cheese... and use the squirty/soft stuff in the coolbox.

But basically, it's just 2 days, you won't starve.

Take a couple of spare boxes, in case you can get a doggy bag from the wedding do.

whiteguineapig

we always take our own food
i take cereal bars, pot noodles , cake, and wine