Our budget is very limited, but we love travelling. We need your help in finding modest, clean places to spend the night. My husband and I will be going to Andalusia, Spain this year for two weeks and hopefully the Center of Italy next year in low-season; however, every bit of help on how to find the best deal on logdings and airfares would be greatly appreciated. Lodging alternatives are well considered. Thanks

You've mentioned a 'limited budget', but not a number. What is your actual budget -- how much do you want to spend per night?

Where in the center of Italy?

kayak.com is a good place to search for flights.

Limilted budget: shoestrings

Center of Italy: Latium, Umbria, Toscana, etc...

"<i>Limilted budget: shoestrings</i>"

OK - as far as I know no accommodations in either Italy or Spain accept shoestrings as payment.

What is the big deal -- we really DO need to know your budget to give useful suggestions. Plus how do you know if your budget is even realistic w/o knowing what it is???

There is not one source of knowledge. Guide books have inexpensive lodging and then try to find opinions on Expedia, Bokings.com and even Trip Advisor. And then score it like Olympic diving when there was a Cold War. Throw out the top and bottom scores and see where that leaves you.

It's a bit absurd to ask for modest lodging in Spain and Italy as though you were asking about Madrid or Rome. Spain and Italy cover a vast areas. Try to be a bit more specific. And a daily budget, and the time of year, would certainly help. "Low season" doesn't help!

In Italy, convents offer low-cost accommodation; their rates do not change from season to season. Many have curfews. Some have to be booked well in advance.