diane

Anyone have experience/info on these in Barcelona or in Venice? I've used them in other parts of Italy and they're great for a solo female traveler. I'd love any tips, as I'll be spending about a wk at each place. Venice, esp., can be prohibitively $$$. HELP!

alice

Diane, <BR>Actually I have experience in both places. First, near Barcelon there is a monastery in the city called Montserrat. <BR>It is absolutely incredible!! It is at the top of these very strange looking mountains and it's very scary driving up in the tour bus. I happened to get there by accident with a Christian group of Koreans that I had met on the train. If you don't know anyone there I would recommend going to a hotel and getting on a tour bus, which they have daily. A quaint little hotel that I stayed at near the Port Olympico,was called Hotel Clarion. The staff was very helpful and it is 2 blocks from the Estacion Francia (one of the three train stations in Barcelona and by far the most beautiful). <BR>As far as Venice goes, I have been there twice last year and it is incredible. I didn't visit any monasteries, but it was one of the best vacations I have ever had. I stayed at a hotel called Ambassador Tre Roses in San Marco's square which was very nice. <BR>I don't know if you've been there before, but as you exit the water taxi you go to the top left corner of the square. It was about $250 a night, which is cheap in Venice, but it is very centrally located. I have friends there that told me it is much cheaper to stay in the city on the mainland called Mestre. That way you can go into Venice for the day and pay about one third the price for the hotel. <BR> <BR>I hope I helped you and just a word to the wise...Europe by far is so much safer than the U.S., don't worry a single women traveling is perfectly safe. I have never had one problem and I travel there two to three times a year. Especially the cities that you have chosen. It is very safe. You should try to meet someone there because the men love american women. <BR> <BR>Have fun, <BR>Alice

cheryl

I wouldn't call $250 per night cheap, even in Venice. We have been twice in the last 4 years, and never paid anywhere near that amount. Last year we found several hotels that came well recommended for about $100 per night for a double with private bath. In fact, we've never spent more in Venice for lodging and dining than in any other Italian city, and we've had two wonderful trips.

Debbie Lee

Cheryl, I sincerely appreciate your reply and am wondering if you will tell us the hotels in Venice that you stayed at. I am thinking it's $100 US, which is probably about $150 AUD... I've heard that the monasteries are chaeper, and also that there is a monasteries site somewhere... Does anyone know it, please?

michele

Diane, <BR> <BR>several years ago I stayed at a convent in Venice. I am pretty sure it was St. Joseph's. The room was similar to a dorm room with a shower (showerhead and drain <BR>set-up). It was under $100, had a curfew,and was an easy walk to St. Mark's. If I cn find the exact information I'll send it to you. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

michele

Diane, <BR> <BR>Here's the address of the convent in Venice: <BR> <BR>Instituto San Giuseppe <BR>Ponte della Guerra <BR>Castello 54U2 Venice <BR>Tel: 011 39 41 522 5351 ( If you don't speak Italian, find someone who does) <BR> <BR> In 1997 the rate was about $30 a night. <BR> <BR>Hope that helps. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

cheryl

Diane- <BR> <BR>No problem, I'm glad to help. I'm sure a convent will be cheaper than any of these hotels, but for hotels, these are all reasonably priced and came highly recommended. Our first trip we stayed at the Locanda Sturion, which we really liked. This was in 1995, and we paid about $113(US). We would have stayed there again, but by the time we called, only the more expensive rooms were available. We ended up at the Bernardi Semenzato, not fancy, but for $100 for a double with a private bath, a very good value. They also had rooms without private baths, which were even cheaper. We also considered the Locanda Fiorita, the Al Piave, and Al Gambero, all in approximately the same price range, and all highly recommended by people we spoke to.

Joe

Diane, <BR> <BR>I echo the message from Alice concerning the monastery in Montserrat (sp?) near Barcelona. Although it has been nearly 15 years since I was there, I still remember it well. It was quite an experience. We drove up the mountain and while the road was somewhat scarry, it is do able. The night we were there, we went to the adjacent church to listen to an all boys choir rehearsing. It seems like we were the only ones there and it almost felt like we were given a private concert. The rooms were quite spartan, but exceptionally clean with all the amenities. I highly recommend going to that monastery, not only for the $$ savings but for the experience. Sorry I don't have more specific information about the location. But after 15 years, I just don't recall all the details. Maybe someone else can offer more details. Good luck on your trip.

diane

Thanks to Michele for convent address and to all others for your input. I think this is the way to go if you're not in the $250 per nt budget range. Will let you know after my May visit. <BR>Ciao!