I came across some information about some monasteries in Italy that host travelers. Some were pretty expensive (50 euros) but others were cheaper and some even take donations. I was wondering if anyone had ever tried this. It seems like it would be a cool change of scenary for a few nights.
anyway,any info would be greatly appreciated

jp

ps: these boards rule :)

Dude I know nothing about it but it is definitly something I want to try to do when I travel to asia.

Let us know what you know!

monks are like midgets and clowns...they scare me...Now you find a Mideget Monk Clown and I am out of there :no:

Just watched "The Name of the Rose" again, last weekend. Craig, you definitely don't want to watch that one! Lots of scarey monks: crazy hunchback monks, fat homo monks, blind old codger monks, anti-social monks...they're all there. Waiting for you... :torch:

worldwidemike

Speaking up for monks...

The monk who is our priest here led a pilgrimage to Italy last fall with a bunch of parishioners from Vilnius (not us, though). He told us that they stayed in monasteries most of the time. Since the average Lithuanian pilgrim's travel budget is pretty tight, I'm guessing these are pretty reasonable price-wise. We've stayed at a Lutheran hostel in Tallinn (no monks there, but an old, old church) which was smack in the middle of town and cheaper than anything else in town - about $15 per bed/night, if I've done the math right. My parents stayed in a guest house run by nuns here in Vilnius - it was a little more expensive, but also fancier than the bare bones accommodations the monasteries provide. I guess if you remember that the point of those accommodations is primarily to provide shelter for pilgrims, you'll have a basic idea of the simple standards. That said, I wouldn't count on them being dull...there may not be much partying going on, but the standards of hospitality are pretty high, food generally excellent and don't forget that many monasteries, esp. in Italy, earn much of their keep from their vineyards...

If you're interested in this kind of accommodations, take your fear of monks in hand, and give a call to your local parish office or, if there's a monastic order near you, contact them for more info. They'll be able to give you more info about your options, and also let you know if there are any restrictions or particular issues you should keep in mind... If there's nothing local, search for the Dominican, Franciscan, Benedictine, Carmelite or Bernardine (part of the Franciscans) websites, and see what they can link you to. Good luck.

With you on the clown issue, clevercraig, though!

I stayed at a couple of monastaries in Italy...one was in Sienna and was amazing! You can find lots online. You might want to check on rules such as the curfew!

thanks a ton for the info, all :)

jp

do u have to be religious to stay at a monestary??

Nah, there are some that over accomidations to make money, sort of like a bed & breakfast type thing.