Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Convents & Monasteries
Some Italian convents and monasteries let out cells or rooms as a modest revenue-making exercise and hap-
pily take in tourists, while others only take in pilgrims or people who are on a spiritual retreat. Many impose
a fairly early curfew, but prices tend to be quite reasonable.
A useful if ageing publication is Eileen Barish's
The Guide to Lodging in Italy's Monasteries
. A more re-
cent book on the same subject is Charles M Shelton's
Beds and Blessings in Italy: A Guide to Religious
Hospitality.
Other resources can assist you in your search:
MonasteryStays.com
(
www.monasterystays.com
)
A well-organised online booking centre for monastery
and convent stays.
In Italy Online
(
www.initaly.com/agri/convents.htm
)
Well worth a look for monastery and convent accom-
modations in Abruzzo, Emilia-Romagna, Lazio, Liguria, Lombardy, Puglia, Sardinia, Sicily, Tuscany, Um-
bria and the Veneto. You pay US$6 to access the online newsletter with addresses.
Chiesa di Santa Susana
(
www.santasusanna.org/comingToRome/convents.html
)
This American Catholic
church in Rome has searched out convent and monastery accommodation options around the country and
posted a list on its website. Note that some places are just residential accommodation run by religious orders
and not necessarily big on monastic atmosphere. The church doesn't handle bookings; to request a spot,
you'll need to contact each individual institution directly.
SLEEPING PRICE RANGES
The following price ranges refer to a double room with bathroom (breakfast not included) in high season.
CATEGORY
REST OF ITALY
ROME
VENICE
€
less than €110
€120
€120
€€
€110-200
€120-250
€120-220
€€€
more than 200
€250
€220
Hostels
Ostelli per la gioventù
(youth hostels) are run by the
Associazione Italiana Alberghi per la Gioventù
(AIG; 06 487 11 52;
www.aighostels.com
) affiliated with
Hostelling International
(HI;
www.hihostels.com
)
. A valid HI card is required in all associated youth hostels in Italy. You can get this in
your home country or directly at many hostels.
A full list of Italian hostels, with details of prices and locations, is available online or from hostels
throughout the country. Nightly rates in basic dorms vary from around €16 to €30, which usually includes a
buffet breakfast. You can often get lunch or dinner for an extra €10 or so. Many hostels also offer singles
and doubles (for around €30/50) and family rooms.
A few AIG hostels still have a midday lockout period as well as a curfew of 11pm or midnight, although
these restrictions are less common than in years past.
