Good Night & God Bless, A Guide to Convent and Monastery Accommodation in Europe, Volume 1: Austria, Czech Republic, Italy, Hidden Spring, 2008, is a user-friendly guide to finding intriguing and affordable places to stay on a European holiday.
The author’s foray into religious lodging, began in 1970 while traveling in Rome. The youth hostel she had planned to stay in was booked, so the manager suggested she stay at a convent in Via Sistina. She felt uncomfortable at the thought of staying with nuns – although she was educated by nuns in Australia. However, she did not have a lot of inexpensive options, so she tried it. What she found was a convent nestled in the walls of a centuries old palace, sumptuous breakfasts, and non-English speaking, but very friendly nuns. She awoke each morning to the sound of the nuns singing early Mass.
More Monasteries, Convents Welcome Guests
While it has long been a tradition for religious orders to welcome guests for lodging and meals for a donation, more religious orders are opening their doors. This is due to the decrease in people going into the orders, so there is more room. Also, paid visitors help the order afford the upkeep of the buildings, which are often centuries old. The arrangement has become mutually beneficial.
Guide Includes Information on Hundreds of Religious Lodgings
After many years as the owner of a travel marketing business, Clark decided to devote herself to traveling and researching religious accommodations. With the help of friends and family, she developed a database that was large enough for three volumes. Volume II will cover the convents and monasteries in France, Ireland and the United Kingdom. It is due out on Jan. 31, 2010.
Convents, Abbeys from Casual to Spiritual Retreats
Clark writes that the religious accommodations can be divided into two categories: those that are geared towards tourists and holidaymakers and those that are designed for a pilgrimage or spiritual retreat. She distinguishes them by referring to the first as Open Houses with a casual, relaxed atmosphere, no strict rules, but guests should have respect for Christian tenets. The second category Spiritual Retreats are quiet and may even have a rule of silence. These are only appropriate for people serious about a retreat.
Convents with Spas, Monasteries with Vineyards
In the 242 pages, the reader can easily scan basic information, such as price and directions. Prices range from about $12 to $140 US dollars per night, with an average of about $65.
Accompanying text relays the flavor of the accommodation. Some samples of lodging include:
Starting at about $65 per night, one can stay at the 12th century Schotten Abbey in Vienna in the midst of a valuable medieval art collection. For about $80 per night, visit the holistic sisters at the Kneipp Health & Spa Centre set in nature preserve in Upper Austria – get a massage, ride horses or learn to cook. One can stay at the Casa per Ferie Villa la Stella in Tuscany, run by a Catholic order, where it is believed the poet Dante Allighieiri, in the 13th century, wrote to his beloved under a myrtle tree in the gardens. In Prague, tourists can stay at the Hotel Jeneralka, an eco-friendly 18th century castle, run by the International Baptist Theological Seminary starting from about $60 per night.
There are accommodations with vineyards and gardens as well as those located in the bustle of European cities.
In the Spiritual retreat category, readers will find sacred places such as the Hotel Divino Amore Casa Del Pellegrino in Rome, where it is believed a miracle occurred in 1740 AD when the Madonna saved a man from a pack of wild dogs.
Plan a European Trip or Armchair Travel
This guide offers some wonderful suggestions for unique and affordable accommodations for those planning a trip to Europe. It is also an intriguing read for those who want to daydream about staying in medieval monasteries, and exploring Vienna and Prague. Devout individuals may be inspired to embark on a pilgrimage or spiritual retreat for prayer and rest.
Claudia M. Lenart - Claudia has been freelancing as an editor and writer for more than 10 years. Prior to going freelance, she worked as an editor in ...
