Customer Reviews

The Guide to Lodging in Italy's Monasteries

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I absolutely disagree with the book's critics. (CORRECTED)

We have used this book to identify lodging possibilities on several trips to Italy. I have found the contact information a good starting point. Perhaps I an showing my age, but I never rely on only one source for any information. We verify everything.

Every directory has some minor flaws. That's why you need to use information from directories with an open mind. For example, on one occasion, a fax number was answered repeatedly by a human. On a hunch, I sent the fax to the "voice" number, and it was promptly answered by the fax. Either the numbers were switched in the directory, or the numbers were correct and the equipment was switched. Either way, no problem. In another case, we found that one convent had been severaly damaged by an earthquake and was not accepting reservations.

As far as the rooms go, we have stayed in over 10 Italian convents and monasteries in the last few years. Some were relatively modern and some date back to the 11th century. Generally, convents and monasteries are in the old sections of the cities and provide more realistic experiences within the culture.

We do not expect the convents and monasteries to be a four-star hotels, nor have several hundred Euro nightly rates. Most of the rooms were modest. (One was luxurious, even by US standards.) All had modern bathrooms in the room, (except one which was 10 feet down the hall). All were very clean and orderly with good security. Some had late (or no) curfews. Some even had television.

We are quite satisfied with the accommodations because we use our room only for reflection and rest, and spend most of the time exploring Italian culture and history.

As far as getting more information on the portential lodgings, we simply plug the name of the convent into a search engine and often we are directed to a web-site for that facility, or at least that order. If you score a hit with the search engine, you may be able to conduct your transactions on-line or via e-mail. But, again, the information in this guide helps you get started with your research, by giving you the names and locations.

This book simply starts you in the right direction by telling you where to look. If I expected all my questions to be answered without having to do research, I'd consult a travel agent.

Please keep in mind that it may be helpful to send faxes during Italian business hours. Some of the convents and monasteries seem to turn their faxes off during their night-time hours. This was quite aggravating until I figured it out and send my faxes (successfully) at a different hour. Also, if there is a technical problem, their fax may be out of service for several days (or longer).

Buon viaggio, signori e signore!

I originally bought the book because I needed suggestions for low cost accomodations for my next trip.After I read the book,I ended up planning the whole vacation around the theme "Monasteries in Italy".The brief but rich info on the history,art,location,traditions,makes the monasteries and convents in this book a most desirable spot to visit for themselves.The author gives all the practical info needed (price, directions, people to contact, restrictions that may apply)for a successful lodging in the most sought after locations in Italy , as well as in the most remote,pristine places.This book is by far the richest and the most helpful when it comes to convent lodgings in Italy.

You can stay in monasteries - not as a religious retreat - in Italy for very little money and easy availability. This book is the best resource available for it in English.

However, as a guide book, the info it offers beyond addresses and telephone numbers, is not great. These places vary greatly in quality and price. Moreover, no directions to get to them - and they are in odd corners of Italy! - are offered, which means you will have trouble EVERY time you try to find one.

Recommended, but make sure you have a bevy of other guide books with you for more detailed info.

My wife and I took our bicycles to Tuscany for our 25th Wedding Anniversary. We spend such little time in our rooms when we travel, but we like to be centrally located when we bike into town. The monasteries, besides for their beauty, cleanliness, and hospitality, were in the heart of where we wanted to be. One on the nicest things about this book is the inclusion of a letter (translated into Italian and English for you) for you to fax or mail to make reservations (a must if you have biked 35 miles that day and do not want to find the inn is full!!) The letter worked perfectly and we always had a reservation, a smiling face, and a clean room waiting for us at the end of our daily ride!! Use this book and you will have an adventure!!

I paid 22.95 for this bugger, and would love to have my money back. The the directions to the "Monasteries" are awful. For example directions from Termini station in Rome to a specific monestary states "take metro and get off at
Piazza Barberini" ( might be a good idea to let those unfamiliar with Rome know WHAT LINE THEY SHOULD USE! and where the Monastery is after you exit the metro. this example typifies the type of directions that are provided. Mrs. Barish have you ever taken a bus or a subway? Here is another example of directions provided, "get off at Firenze Santa Maria Novella and then take bus #14" Bus # 14? to where? how far? This book has absolutely NO MAPS so be prepared to dig. Locations described as "centrally" located are actually (when and if you find them with your own map work)often on city outskirts.Very lazy Mrs. Barish. Any one thinking about buying this one should definately save their money.

I absolutely disagree with the book's critics.

We have used this book to identify lodging possibilities on several trips to Italy. I have found the contact information a good starting point. Perhaps I an showing my age, but I never rely on only one source for any information. We verify everything.

Every directory has some minor flaws. That's why you need to use information from directories with an open mind. For example, on one occasion, a fax number was answered repeatedly by a human. On a hunch, I sent the fax to the "voice" number, and it was promptly answered by the fax. Either the numbers were switched in the directory, or the numbers were correct and the equipment was switched. Either way, no problem. In another case, we found that one convent had been severaly damaged by an earthquake and was not accepting reservations.

As far as the rooms go, we have stayed in over 10 Italian convents and monasteries in the last few years. Some were relatively modern and some date back to the 11th century. Generally, convents and monasteries are in the old sections of the cities and provide more realistic experiences within the culture.

We do not expect the convents and monasteries to be a four-star hotels, nor have several hundred Euro nightly rates. Most of the rooms were modest. (One was luxurious, even by US standards.) All had modern bathrooms in the room, (except one which was 10 feet down the hall). All were very clean and orderly with good security. Some had late (or no) curfews. Some even had television.

We are quite satisfied with the accomodations because we use our room only for reflection and rest, and spend most of the time exploring Italian culture and history.

As far as getting more information on the portential lodgings, we simply plug the name of the convent into a search engine and often we are directed to a web-site for that facility, or at least that order. If you score a hit with the search engine, you may be able to conduct your transactions on-line or via e-mail. But, again, the information in this guide helps you get started with your research, by giving you the names and locations.

This book simply starts you in the right direction by telling you where to look. If I expected all my questions to be answered without having to do research, I'd consult a travel agent.

Please keep in mind that it may be helpful to send faxes during Italian business hours. Some of the convents and monasteries seem to turn their faxes off during their night-time hours. This was quite aggravating intil I figured it out and send my faxes (successfully) at a different hour. Also, if there is a technical problem, their fax may be out of service for several days (or longer).

Buon viaggio, signori e signore!

This book is useful. We stayed in several guest houses in the book as we drove in northern Italy. I would recommend it but would also make three observations. First, some of the directions are not suffieiently detailed or clear. I think this is a significant weakness of the book. We spent quite a bit of time finding some of the guest houses. Second, understandably, some of the prices are out of date but the places still are bargains. Third, in some of those where we stayed, the people did not speak English. This was not a problem as out Italian is marginally passable but don't expect English to be spoken at all of them, especially on the phone. Nevertheless, I have recommended it to several friends who plan to go to Italy and I will get the latest edition when we go again. It is an investment because the rates are much better than hotels.

This is a GREAT book! Took it on my last trip to Italy and stayed in the most beautiful, historic places, had home cooked meals and learned more about Italian life and culture than staying in a regular hotel. There's also loads of information about local activities and sights to see for each monastery. And for the budget conscious, the monasteries were less expensive than hotels in the same area. I definitely recommend this book for your next trip to Italy. The author also wrote one about Spain and I can't wait to use it there!

It saved us money as we used it in Florence. We stopped in another in the mountains of central Italy for a social visit. The nuns are from diffenrent places around the world and quite interesting conversationalists, if wanted. The properties were quiet and clean. We will try again on the next visit. The school in Florence is in the center of the city.

This is a great book! Took it with me on my last trip to Italy and stayed in some magnificent and historic monasteries where we had home cooked meals and hands-on insight into Italian people and culture. And most nights cost less than the hotels in the same area. The book also tells you about places to visit and local events. This book really enhanced our visit. I already have the author's other book about the Monasteries of Spain. Can't wait to use them both again. Happy travels to you all.