Staying at a convent or monastery is a great way to save money while traveling and experience a different way of life. For budget travelers, the cost of staying at a convent or monastery is usually much less than staying at a typical tourist hotel or resort. For travelers who enjoy unique adventures, staying at convents or monasteries is a totally new travel experience.

Not all accommodations at monasteries or convents are inexpensive, though. Some convents and monasteries host religious retreats which will increase the cost of accommodations. However, monasteries and convents that are interested in helping out peaceful travelers, especially in Europe, are often inexpensive and unique accommodations.

If you plan to stay at a convent or monastery, keep the following information in mind:

• Though you don’t need to practice the same religion as the monastery or convent, you do need to respect their way of life and their rules.

• Expect simple, clean accommodations with no frills. Twin size beds are common, and married couples will be lucky to get a double bed. Don’t expect king size luxury bedding.

• You may be expected to abide by a curfew.

• Silence is golden at convents and monasteries. Forget the cell phones.

• Television and telephones might not be available at the monastery.

• Meals might be offered through the convent or monastery, creating an affordable alternative to eating in restaurants.


The following are just some of the convents and monasteries that are available around the world:

www.santasusanna.org
The American Catholic Church in Rome's recommendations on convents in Italy

www.clearcreekmonks.org
The Clear Creek monastery in Hulbert, Oklahoma

www.mro.org
The Zen Mountain Monastery near Woodstock, New York

www.holytrinitymonastery.org
The Holy Trinity Monastery in St. David, Arizona

www.sbcenter.org/accommodations.htm
The Saint Benedict Center in Madison, Wisconsin offers monastery accommodations. Visit the Retreat Trips page on their website to request a free brochure on "What to do on a personal retreat."

Richmond Hill Retreat Facility
A monastery and retreat center in Virginia

www.DolceVita.com
Monasteries in Italy


The following guidebooks are essential if you want to stay in convents and monasteries in Europe:

Europe's Monastery and Convent Guesthouses

The Guide to Lodging in Italy's Monasteries


Kimberly Button is the author of The Disney Queue Line Survival Guidebook, the only Walt Disney World® Resort theme park guidebook that features scavenger hunts, trivia questions, word puzzles and hidden Mickey searches tailored to each attraction to alleviate boredom while standing in lines. For more information and to read an excerpt, visit www.disneysurvivalguide.com