We are traveling to Rome, Assisi, Venice and Florence in November and want to stay in convents or monasteries. Any suggestions for inexpensive and conviently located places?

We stayed in Santa Magherita near the Vatican in Rome. It was comfortable, clean, basic, and inexpensive. There are quite a few in Assisi.

I have a pocket book called "BED AND BLESSINGS/ A Guide to Convents and Monasteries Available for Overnight Lodging" by June & Anne Walsh; Paulist Press 1999. I probably got it at Barnes & Noble.

Type in convents in the text search box and you'll come up with all the info you need. Several members of my family have stayed in a convent in Rome, Domus ?--forget the whole name now, but it's very popular and rooms cost less than 75 euros.

Get going, Kendostar. These places book early. Here's a suggestion for Florence:

Instituto Oblate dell'Assunzione
Borgo Pinti, 15
Firenze 50121
Fax: 39 0155 234 629
Sr. Lidia

We paid about $50/night for a double. The place was squeaky clean. Location was great. The sisters speak Italian and French. I had to fax at least twice before receiving a response, so fax again if you don't hear from them within a couple of days.

ttt