Convents/Monasteries in Florence and Rome

Rick describes this as a "convent-type place" in Rome. We really liked it--it's very clean and very basic. Breakfast was included. It's called 'Casa per Ferie Santa Maria alle Fornaci dei Padri Trinitari' and is very near the Vatican. The website is: www.trinitaridematha.it

Rick recommends reserving as far in advance as possible. They do have triple rooms.

If you are staying in them for low cost you can just as well pick one of RS recom in his guidebook. However I love the quiet, spartan, lodging at convents too. note that they are more costly in Rome and Florence though.

Does 'Casa per Ferie Santa Maria alle Fornaci dei Padri Trinitari' have an English website?

In Rome we stayed in Suore St. Elisabetta (email: [email protected] ) in a large, 3 bed room with a private bath and the longest claw-footed tub I've ever seen (great for a soak after all that walking). Very clean, comfortable, quiet, safe. Included a simple but adequate breakfast and excellent coffee. Located near the St. Maria Magiore, a short walk from the Termini and the Forum. It was 85 euros in September 2007. The sisters are Polish and speak no English but the office staff who check you in speak English. There is a curfew but this didn't matter since we were exhausted by 9pm. We found this convent in Rick's 2007 Italy book. Also check santasusanna.org and MonestaryStays.com

I've also stayed at Casa per Ferie Santa Maria alle Fornaci and had a good experience. As far as I know there is no English website; however, the desk clerk always spoke some English so you may be able to call them with more luck. Also, on the website is a link to niburu which is an associated booking agency. Their website is in English. I tried to book another similar accomodation (Casa La Salle--also worth checking--further out of town but on the metro line; I had a sick student there and they went out of their way to help us) through them and they we able to recommend S. Maria alle Fornaci which was perfect for our needs. They will have other suggestions as well.

Go to this website to see Italian monasteries.

http://www.monasterystays.com/

Now a reply to my OWN post - for the benefit of others, and as a result of my recent stays in Florence and Rome. Casa S. Nome di Gesù, Firenze - a wonderful, clean, friendly, English-speaking convent near the historic area of Florence run by Franciscan nuns. Beautiful gardens, a rich history over the years, and walking distance to the heart of historic Florence. Great website at www.fmmfirenze.it. I would stay there again in a heartbeat. ONLY downside is no elevator - so if you are on the third floor you and your luggage have a LONG climb up the marble staircase. In Rome: Domus Carmelitana a few blocks from St. Peter's square. Run extremely efficiently by a group of wonderful young men on behalf of the monks. Their courtesy and professionalism rivals the most expensive hotels. Another great website at www.domuscarmelitana.com. The proximity to St. Peter's was wonderful, and although Rome is a big city to walk, many of the sights are within walking distance or an easy bus ride. I highly recommend both!

We stayed in the Casa per Ferie "S. Maria alle Fornaci" dei Padri Trinitari and loved it. The place is clean, has good beds and it's amazing to step out the front door in the evening and see the Vatican with the dome all in lights... just a couple of blocks away. We booked on venere.com which saved us money throughout Europe. We saved 50% on the same hotel and dates in Annecy, France and also at this location.

We've made reservations for June 2010 at
Casa per Ferie "S. Maria alle Fornaci", we will be arriving by train from Venice. Can anyone provide directions from the train station to the convent?