If anyone has a suggestion I'd appreciate it! I'll be traveling with my three kids, 12, 10, and 7-- which is expensive enough so we surely want to economize on lodgings as much as possible! Even a hostel would be fine if it had family rooms. <BR> <BR>Also, I'm trying to decide whether to drive to Venice, or go by train overnight. I would take 3-1/2 days to drive, no rush. But can't decide if this would be a wonderful experience, or an ordeal! We'll be leasing a Peugeot for travel in Italy and car ferry to Greece, and it's no problem to pick it up in Milan rather than Paris. The train cost would be extra, but costs per day driving down would be substantial too-- I just want to make sure we'll have fun en route! <BR> <BR>Thanks for any advice-- <BR> <BR>Teresa

Hey, you've mentioned three countries and ZERO cities in your post... <BR> <BR>Hostels abound in all three countries you mentioned! Can you be more specific about where you are needing to stay?

OK, so you mentioned a couple of cities. Still would be helpful if you were more specific about your needs...

Hi <BR>Many hostels have age or student-status requirements; you'll need to find out if you all meet those requirements. <BR>Here is one website <BR>www.hostels.com <BR>here is another which may help <BR>www.budgettravel.com <BR>The following may help for hostels in <BR>Paris/France <BR>www.mije.com <BR>www.hostels.com/fr.html. <BR>www.eurotrip.com/hostels/France.html <BR>Hereis a relatively inexpensive hotel in Paris <BR>Hotel Port Royal, 8 boul. Port-Royal, 5th. Metro les Gobelins. Phone 43 31 70 06, <BR>fax 43 31 33 67. 45 rooms. <BR>Recommended by previous guests at www.paris.org <BR>Said to be an excellent value. In 1998 a poster on the Fodor's Europe forum raved about this hotel as a one-star with the services of a three-star. Family-owned, flowers in the public areas. Excellent continental breakfast with good coffee. Delightful courtyard. Nice décor, staff helpful. The book Cheap Sleeps in Paris mentions that this hotel offers maximum value for the price, calls it "amazing". Elevator, tv, nice décor <BR>

So sorry! I'm asking about Paris only, for the accommodations. <BR> <BR>Thanks for the responses! <BR> <BR>Teresa

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Quarto D'Altino near Venice with our two children. It was nice enough with a great breakfast for about $87 a night. We were able to use our frequent fyer couppons as well for $87 for two nights! Did the same in the Holiday Inn Express near Foligno. Although not as atmospheric as a hotel in Venice proper, it was quite acceptable and cheap. Also, you might check out place on the Lido di Jesolo. A little bit of a ferry ride to Venice, but also a good value for family. Reminded me a little of family places on the Jersey shore, Many different groups of Europeans there. Many hotels have just one or two family rooms. If you can get one of those, you can save money. Need to reserve way in advance. We also stayed in a convent in Rome in one room for about $70 a night-Casa Beate Caini Margherita. You can have hotels rooms nicer than hostel rooms in Italy for about the same price with good research. <BR>We drove all over Italy, and had no problem with driving. In fact, driving gave us more options.

Just returned from a 3 week trip through France and Italy. We also stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Quarto D'Altino outside Venice. Easy access, nice rooms, breakfast and an ice machine! Took train into Venice - no hassles. Also stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Foligno for $55.00 a night. Price was right and it was close to Assissi and alot of great towns that I wish we had more time to explore. <BR> <BR>In Paris, we stayed at the Hotel Londres St. Honore near the Louvre. It was a great location! We paid $114 a night for 4, which was about as low as I could find 5 months out for June. This hotel was older, but the price was right. <BR> <BR>We had a great trip and would love to answer any questions. <BR> <BR>Have fun!

We stayed at the Hotel Muguet in Paris. It was about $120 a night for 4. But they only have one quad room. We must have been on a parralled trip. Wonder if we were at the Holiday Inn Express at the same time. (June 12 and 13 in Quarto D'Altino, and 14 and 15 in Foligno. We also broke down and spent one night in Disneyland Paris at the Davy Crockett Ranch. To my big surprise, we really did enjoy it.