Choice picks: Staying in Italy

Considering monastic lodgings in Italy? Here's some practical advice.

Last update: January 25, 2008 - 11:17 AM

With the dollar sinking against the euro, Italy's religious hostels have practical, as well as a spiritual, appeal. Most offer simple, clean rooms and a basic breakfast for 35 to 50 euros a night. (That's about U.S. $52 to $75 at the exchange rates last week.)

In addition to the price, you get a connection to history and culture that can be found in few other lodgings.

We had scouted out some possibilities in advance of the trip, but for the most part we visited convents and monasteries and chose places that suited us. One caveat: Many religious hostels require at least two-night stays. For more general information on finding and booking religious hostels in Italy, check out www.monasterystays.com.

CHOICE PICKS

If we had to do it over, the Monastero di Sant'Anna in the village of Camprena in Tuscany would be at the top of our list. In this spectacularly austere abbey, many of the pivotal scenes in "The English Patient" were filmed. The notoriety of the film means reservations are a good idea, and rooms are a little more expensive -- 65 euros a night (www.terretoscaneagency.it/ sannast_ing.htm).

In Assisi, we stayed at a Franciscan convent -- Suore Francesanne Dei Sacri Cuori -- which was at 12 Via Borgo Arentino. The rate was 35 euros per night. For more information and options, check out www.assisionline.com.

In Cortona, we stayed at the Santa Margherita Institute, 15 Via Cesare Battisti, for 30 euros a night. For more information, go to www.cortonaweb.net.

Our favorite stay was at the Istituto San Lodovico, right on the Piazza Ranieri in the old city of Orvieto. The convent hostel charged 35 euros a night for a double room with bath -- amazing considering that the view from the window would beat just about any five-star hotel (www.orvietoonline.com).

RICHARD SENNOTT