We ( two mid 60s women) are wanting cheap accomodation in Italy around 16 May to 16 June if possible somewhere? What we have heard of so far is too expensive any ideas please.

Ingrid

Which cities and towns do you want accommodation for? One good site is:

http://www.eurocheapo.com

Can you give us an idea of "cheap" and what is "too expensive"? You looking for a place for the two of you for under 100 euro a night? Under 50? Under 25?

Will you have a car? There is another thread on agritourismo -- country stays that can be less expensive than hotels but usually require a car as you are not in a city or town.

Another idea might be to look into apartments, rather than hotels. What cities are you traveling to?

Depends on where your visiting in Italy..but as your going for a month..apartments are ideal or try staying in a convent or B&B. I have done both and they are much nicer than hotels.
For convents try www.romeguide.it.Look under religious institutions.
We (myself and 2 friends) stayed at Casa Beata Margherita Caiani Convent in 2001 for $38AUS each a night. Good location near the vatican, charming clean room with ensuite. They had a curfew but it did not worry us.
In Venice, we stayed at Hotel Galleria, the only one star hotel on the canal. We booked their largest room with ensuite..it was great sitting on the window sill at night/day watching the activity on the canal . There are convents to look into as well in Venice. Currently they are about 100 euro a double in high season.
We balanced our budget for the 5 week holiday and thus the cheap stays in convents balanced out the more expensive apartments we rented for a week.
All up we paid $80AUS each a night.