The final price averaged about €60 per night, an amount that was in keeping with Bergoglio’s reputation for frugality and his attachment to an austere life.

The event was widely reported by the world press and motivated participants in several travel forums to comment on how convenient and economic that lodging sounded, and to wonder if the residence was available to “lay” travelers. Of course it was not, as was promptly disclosed to the general disappointment of many prospective budget-conscious travelers.

However, there are dozens of other properties of the same type in Rome that do take lay tourists, in contrast to the rank-selective Domus Internationalis.

Rome’s religious pied-à-terres

Rome is one of the great cities of religious pilgrimage in the world. The presence of the Papacy in Rome, plus the magnificent Church-related patrimony of the ancient city, attracts swarms of travelers every year. Many of these tourists come for faith-based reasons, either for religious tourism proper or religious “business.”

The Vatican’s numerous “dicasteries” (ministries) and their networks of offices, as well as the headquarters of dozens of Catholic congregations are scattered all over the city. This means that each and every ecclesiastical traveler, from the humblest green seminarian and junior novice nun to the über-VIP visiting cardinals, must have a suitable kind of lodging as his/her Roman pied-à-terre.

All of these reasons help to explain why Rome is filled with “Case per Ferie:” residences run by religious orders, offering affordable accommodation.

My experience in Rome could not have been better. Several years ago, advised by a Jesuit friend who happens to come from my home town (a combination that guarantees sure wisdom), I stayed at the Istituto Santa Giuliana Falconieri, located in Rome’s historical center, a mere steps from Piazza Navona and close to everything.

The Suore di S Elisabetta in Rome offers spic-and-span doubles for €64. Photo: EuroCheapo

The place was extremely welcoming and the price, consistent with a “classic cheapo.” The room was somehow Spartan but spacious and cozy (a winning combination) with an en-suite bathroom. The ample buffet-type continental breakfast was included in the price. The curfew was at midnight, which was okay with me. The sisters, whose superior hailed from the U.S., were extremely friendly. They did their best to talk to me in English, and I duly reciprocated, by digging out my best self-taught Italian (none of them our native languages).

My sojourn there was memorable, but, alas! some of the best things in life do not last and this friendly and convenient convent-cum-pension closed not long ago.

Remaining Roman options

A few options for religious accommodations in Rome can be found in EuroCheapo’s Rome guide. These include the Suore di Santa Elisabetta (run by friendly nuns near Santa Maria Maggiore) and the Casa per Ferie Santa Maria Alle Fornace (a former convent near St. Peter’s).

Religious accommodation in Paris?

Paris, however, does not have this reputation for religious pilgrimage. Despite the many unique monuments dedicated to religion and revered by tourists, the hordes that descend on the city throughout the year are mainly those who come to take part in fashion weeks. These travelers take their duties with a fervor bordering on the religious, but are centered on a practical and materialistic vision.

This goes in keeping with a city that, while boasting an ancient Catholic tradition, has become the Mecca of international tourism and of the fashion world, while also being a paragon of secularism. On the other hand, the Italian capital, with its baroque sensuousness, has served as the catwalk of the surrealist-like religious fashion show orchestrated by film director Federico Fellini in his eccentric and appropriately titled “Rome.”

Again, the weight of the church is felt here even in the most mundane events (or is it vice versa?).

Holy nights in Paris

A traveler recently wrote in a forum: “Unlike Rome, Paris is not exactly overflowing with half empty convents with rooms to rent at a reasonable price.” While some religious guesthouses in the French capital welcome individuals or groups that come to Paris to conduct a process of prayer and pilgrimage (e.g. “Ephrem Guesthouse”, la Maison d’accueil de la Basilique du Sacré-Cœur), the dearth of religious institutions offering lodging for general travelers is noticeable.

Recently the Auberge Adveniat, a residence affiliated to a religious group, has opened in the 8th arrondissement. It is obvious that in this type of accommodation there should be a curfew and that the hotel will have to do its best to keep at bay night owls, party animals and girls in fishnets. Therefore, this new residence enforces some strict regulations. Prices are indeed very cheap: Singles start at €36-46, and doubles at €30 per person.

Another religious house, Maison Eymard, also in the 8th, is available exclusively to members of the “Association Maison Eymard.” However, you can pay the membership (€7) when you arrive. Prices are €36 for a single and €60 for a double, with breakfast included. Some restrictions apply (e.g. no smoking, no reception during the weekend, minimum stay: 5 days).

A great lodging, which is not precisely a religious house but has a lot of associations with the Church, is the Hôtel-Dieu Hôpital. There is not a better position for an accommodation in Paris than this hotel located within a hospital—the Hôtel Dieu—and next to the Cathédrale Notre-Dame, on the Île de la Cité. The striking proximity to this illustrious building, the hospital’s centuries-long relation with the Church (hence its very name), and the fact that the profits are handed over to charity make this affordable hotel the closest thing to a religious residence in central Paris. As a bonus you can wake to the chimes of the bells of Notre-Dame and have your breakfast in your room. Needless to say, this is a coveted location for tourists. It charges a reasonable €139 for one person and €150 for two.

Not far from there, the Hotel Saint Merry is a beautiful property, sporting a vintage Gothic facade and an enviable location in the Marais. Nowadays, the Merry is a genuine three-star hotel, although this building has more than tenuous connections with the church, as it used to be the parish house of the Saint-Merry church.

Your favorite religious sleeps?

Have you stayed in religious accommodations when visiting Paris or Rome? Tell us about your experience in the comments section!

The post Religious Accommodations in Rome and Paris: Comparing convent-ional cheap sleeps appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Enter Fiesole, a charming village on Florence’s doorstep.

How Fiesole Came to Be

A former walled city founded by the Etruscan civilization in the 7th century BC, the city of Fiesole is best known as a Roman colony and military nemesis of its neighbor Florence.

Its altitude above the hills and strategic location for surveying the region’s rivers made it a prized jewel for conquerors, namely the Romans who eventually made Fiesole a colony in 90 BC. In the early Middle Ages, Fiesole was more powerful that Florence, and the two cities fought several wars. Over time, Florence won the city over, which led the rich residents of Renaissance Florence to build their villas in Fiesole.

How to Get There

Take public transit bus no. 7 from Florence for a short 20 minute ride up through twisting Tuscan roads. You can check bus schedules at ATAF.net.

For the brave wishing to save, there are trails leading downhill back to Florence. The tourist office just off Fiesole’s main square (Piazza Mino) where the bus drops you off will be able to give you more information about walking trails and things going on.

What To Do in Fiesole

One good reason for visiting Fiesole is to take in its awesome view of Florence. Its altitude of almost 1,000 feet will allow you to peer over Florence from either of Fiesole’s two peaks: the S. Francesco or the S. Apollinare. I recommend enjoying a picnic just below the San Francesco Monastery to take in Florence’s panorama. Pass by the Coop supermarket just off Piazza Mino for picnic supplies instead of sipping an overpriced soda at one of the cafés lining the piazza.

Be sure check out Fiesole’s Roman theatre, which hosts outdoor plays, films and concerts in the summer evenings. Access to the Roman theatre and adjoining archeological site will cost you around €6, which isn’t too expensive for the city’s main attractions.

Other attractions include the Cattedrale di San Romolo (the town’s Duomo), the Museo Bandini (whose collection includes pieces by Michelangelo) and the Museo Missionario Francescano Fiesole (below the San Francesco Monestary), where you’ll find more Etruscan and Roman archeological treasures.

Did you Know?

Herman Hesse, the Nobel Prize winning author of “Siddhartha” and “Steppenwolf” often spent time in Fiesole, as he felt inspired by both the Fiesolan countryside and its residents.

Useful Links

Fiesole Tourism Site
City of Fiesole Main Site
Fiesole Cultural Program

The post Fiesole: A Peek into Florence appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

At the time of Kari’s visit in the fall 2008, the basilica was closed for renovations. However, lucky for dear Cheapos back home, she overturned the ruling (!) and snapped a few photos anyway. Here are some of the highlights of her exploration:

The view from here, El Escorial, near Madrid, Spain

A gorgeous upward view of the old monastery and palace.

This wall showcases the original tools used to build the original palace.

Fancy gardens in el Escorial show the natives’ green thumbs at work.

The ornate sarcophagus of Don Juan of Austria, inside the Royal Pantheon. In 1571, the 24-year-old illegitimate son of Charles V led a Christian fleet to victory over the Turks in the naval battle of Lepanto.

Sheep grazing in the outer fields of el Escorial.

The kids seem to be fascinated by the idea of a “ghost town” here.

The post Madrid’s Ghost Town: El Escorial appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

A visit to the Monastere de Cimiez is a quiet, enchanted escape from Nice. Dating back to the 16th century, the gothic church you see today was the result of an 1850 renovation. The church is famous for three paintings by prominent brother painters, Louis and Antoine Brea. The near-by museum, the Musée Franciscain, explains the role of the Franciscans in Nice over the centuries and allows visitors a peek into a recreated (and especially drab) monk’s cell.

The adjoining cemetery is notable for its picturesque qualities, marble graves, and notable residents. Painters Raoul Dufy and Henri Matisse, both former residents of Cimiez, are buried here. Wander through the cemetery, making sure to leave time for the beautifully landscaped gardens.

Visiting the Monastere Notre Dame de Cimiez

The church is open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM. The museum is open Monday through Saturday, from 10 AM – 12 PM, and 3 PM – 6 PM. Admission is free.  For more information, call 04-93-81-00-04.

The post Nice: Visiting Monastere de Cimiez for free appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

These three hotels in Rome have traipsed through history, from ancient history to 19th-century, but all of them today offer modern amenities so you can sleep comfortably.

1) Casa Banzo
Campo de’ Fiori
Doubles from €110

This bed and breakfast, with just three rooms, screams, “location!” Housed in a 15-century palazzo near Campo de’ Fiori, this family-run establishment is far enough from the crazy Campo crowds, but close enough to easily walk to the Vatican, Spanish Steps and other Roman highlights.

Each of the Casa’s rooms are chockablock with vintage accoutrements. Think oil paintings, mahogany surfaces, and lots of marble. And, we haven’t even mentioned the frescoes! Just keep in mind, book early if you want to stay here. With only three rooms, the hotel fills up quickly.

If you do stay here, tell Antoinette (the owner) and her husband we say hello!

2) Hotel Navona
Piazza Navona
Doubles from €135

If you’ve ever dreamed about sleeping in ancient Rome (and who hasn’t?), this is your chance. The ruins underneath the spick-and-span rooms and bathrooms at Hotel Navona are literally the baths of Agrippa and date back to 33 B.C.!

Stucco walls, terra-cotta flooring, a family-run feel, and plenty of 18th and 19th-century antiques (many taken from the family’s palace in Venice) give the rooms a top-notch vibe. Near Piazza Navona and the Pantheon, you can start off your day by touring the hotel (whose main structure is a 13th-century palace). And yes, this hotel has frescoes, too.

3) Suore di S Elisabetta
Santa Maria Maggiore
Doubles from €64

The quiet Suore di S Elisabetta is a convent that offers low-priced rooms on a peaceful street south of Santa Maria Maggiore. If you don’t mind an 11 p.m. curfew or a bedroom ornamented in crucifixes and the like, then get thee to this nunnery!

Rooms are as simple as a nun’s habit. For example, none of them have televisions. But, the breakfast room sparkles under light of hanging chandeliers and a dome of painted frescoes. An added bonus? The rooftop terrace—with inspiring views of Rome—is quite simply, divine.

Also see:

Our favorite theme hotels in Amsterdam and religious accommodations in Rome and Amsterdam.

Questions? Leave them in the comment box below.

The post Rome Hotels: Three central and unusual sleeps appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.