What small hotel or bed and breakfast places would you suggest at around 100 euro? Is this expecting to pay too little? Thank you for your suggestions.

If you can stay in the countryside<BR>near Assisi, the agriturismo Malvarina<BR>is a wonderful choice and in your price<BR>range. Do opt for dinners - the<BR>food is outstanding.

Your price range is very reasonable for a small hotel in Assisi. Try the Hotel Alexander on Piazza Chiesa Nuova or the Hotel Sole. Both are less than your price, include breakfast, and have excellent locations.

Ten years ago my wife and I stayed in the Anfiteatro Romano, a one-star hotel built inside the original Roman amphitheater in Assisi. It was one of the best places we have stayed at any price (and it was dirt cheap at the time). Basic, but airy, clean, quiet and friendly. It also has a good and unpretentious restaurant that we enjoyed.<BR><BR>We have not been back to Italy since then, but we really, really enjoyed this hotel. It was a very pleasant surprise and hands down the best bargain we found in Italy.<BR><BR>If you go (even if you don't stay there) try to drop by for a look-see and post your thoughts when you get back.

A definite ditto to Janice's post about Malvarina. It's our home away from home in Umbria, and I wish I were there right now. There used to be a direct web page, but I can't seem to access it in English without going through an agency, which doesn't seem to list it. Strange. So here's the link through Karen Brown. Suggest you try to make the reservation directly if possible. <BR><BR>http://www.karenbrown.com/italy/deta...so?RecID=10730

There is a direct link to the Malvina web page at the bottom of the Karen Brown page.<BR><BR>Here is the link. http://www.malvarina.it/index2.htm<BR><BR>It looks great. Do you recall if they welcomed children?

Greg, I get a &quot;Not Found&quot; response from that address. Anyone else?

Thanks guys for the suggestions. Now to decide--in Assisi or at the lovely Malvarina.<BR><BR>Betsy, this URL took me directly to the Malvarina homepage. <BR><BR>http://www.malvarina.it/index2.htm<BR><BR>I did not see anything about children, but this email address was listed for information<BR>E-mail : [email protected]<BR> <BR>I did see in one of the articles something about a 3 day minimum. Is it reasonable to stay at Malvarina and drive to other small towns like Spoletto, Todi, Orvieto, and Assisi. I am thinking of renting a car for 3 days and driving out of Rome to see the countryside. My boss recommends Tuscany, but these small towns in Umbria look easier. Worried about driving in Italy after all I've read on the Fodors!! Did you all drive? <BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>

We did something similar last April. We stayed in Rome, then rented a car and drove to Malvarina, stopping at Todi for lunch en route. We had absolutely no problem driving in Umbria or Tuscany, but got very lost trying to leave Rome due to inaccurate directions given to us by the rental agent. The access road to Malvarina had one extreme hairpin turn, but it's a very rural road so you can drive at 5 mph with no one behind you. Malvarina is about 20 -30 minutes to Assisi, and an easy drive. We also did a day trip to Gubbio (very beautiful drive) from the farm, and stopped at Cortona for lunch en route to Montpulciano, both wonderful towns. All in all I would recommend driving in any part of Italy other than large cities.

Malvarina didn't impose a minimum stay when we were there in September.

Oh, that's so strange: I can acess the web page using Explorer, but not with Netscape. <BR><BR>I would think that children would be welcome at Malvarina. They may impose a minimum stay during their high season. Personally, I'd love to stay three days again!<BR><BR>We too had a car and drove to Spello, Spoleto, Deruta, and Gubbio with no problems. Driving in the area is fairly easy. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.<BR><BR>Would love to continue to tell about Malvaria, but must get to work!

Zootsie and Betsy,<BR>Driving sounds less intimidating now, except for the Rome part. I have found a 3 day Honda Logo for about $150 (including CDW) through AAA. Looked the Logo up, and it looks pretty small--called a Supermini. Anyone had any problem with driving a small car with stick. I have no problem with stick here in US.

E-mail Piera Onofri at Malvarina. She is an American expat working there and<BR>is extremely helpful. Piera can answer<BR>all your questions about children and<BR>minimum stays. You can also arrange<BR>for horseback riding and hiking if you<BR>like. This is truly a wonderful place<BR>and, as I said before, the dinners are<BR>fabulous. <BR>

Louise, the smaller the better in Italy IMHO unless you're going to do a lot of driving on the autostrade. Did you check the rates at AutoEurope.com?

Will check autoeurope today!

Louise, There is a very nice convent in Assisi, and the price including breakfast is about 60 euros. They also serve dinner, and I think children are welcomed. <BR>Their email address is: [email protected] The Sister in charge is: Suore Alcantarine<BR><BR>Hope this helps. Ken L