I am going to Bolzano to look at Otzi, the Iceman. Any suggestions for a cheap place to stay?

Gasthof Weisses Kreuz is centrally located (on Kornplatz) and very inexpensive. They only have a few rooms so you must reserve.

Thank you

I think it depends on how cheap.
On my past visit, I was offered a room in a private home for a nominal sum.
Of course that was when I had little money.

You might write the tourist office (email) and ask if it has a list of home owners who have a "Zimmer frei" type of accomodation. That is German for "room that is vacant and for rent."

You see the sign often in Switzerland in the summer.

You're most welcome. I should add a few things: I haven't stayed there since 2001. At that time, they had rooms both with and without bath. All were basic but nice and clean; ours overlooked the plaza in front. No air conditioning, but you wouldn't expect that in a budget place. I am unaware of any website or e-mail; I reserved by phone, speaking in German. The woman I spoke with was very nice, as were the people we met when we arrived.

I have never heard of the "Zimmer Frei" accomodations. This sounds like exactly what I am looking for. My budget is already stretched beyond it's limit because I am extending my trip by a week.

This might be a stupid question but what are Zimmer Frei called in Italy?

Katharine - The contact address for Bolzano APT (Tourist Office) is:

[email protected]

Zimmer frei in Italian is 'Camere in affitto' - sometimes just shortened to 'Camere'

You may find what you want on the APT website:
http://www.bolzano-bozen.it/

Hope this helps ...

Steve

>Zimmer Frei
They aren't called "Zimmer frei" in German. It's just foreign tourists calling them that as a reaction to the "Zimmer frei" sign in the street.
The name in german is "Privatzimmer". But there are also "Pension (sg), (Pensionen (pl)) and Hotels".