This is another book with info on convents in Rome: "Guide to Lodgings in Italy’s Monasteries" by Eileen Barish. I don't know if your local library will have any copies. A convent name is "Casa di Santa Francesca Romana", another is "Casa San Giuseppe". This one may be the most affordable, although its closer to the Vatican: "Domus Aurelia". I'm not sure what your price range is, or if you are using American money, but the exchange rate is so bad right now, just about anything is going to be expensive in Europe. Some other places to check out are "Il Rosario" as well as "Casa Dell'Emmanuel". Have you checked out the hostel "Roma Inn"? It's cheap and near the train station, I know some people that have stayed there. This is their website: http://web.tiscalinet.it/marioromainn/english/index.htm As for getting into town, I usually just drive from Verona into Rome with people. Once I flew into the Leonardo Da Vinci airport and just took a cab, I'm not sure how far out CIA is...I would recommend checking taxi fares or taking a bus! I hope all of this helps...let me know what you end up doing! : )

When I made reservations I just called, I never wrote letters! I suppose you could email, but many probably don't have email. There should be a listing of convents where nuns speak English, you could call those ones. If not, just call whichever ones you are interested in and speak English, or ask in Italian if there is anyone who speaks English. I think that would be the best way to do it!

You are going to love Rome! On where to stay...there is a book called "Bed and Blessings" that lists convents you can stay in. Staying at convents is CHEAP and plus home cooked meals are included in your price! Or you can always stay at Via Aurelia hostel, if you stay in a dormitory room with no bathroom you can probably get away with spending only about 70 dollars for three days. A day trip could be going to Orvieto. There is a beautiful Cathedral, some Etruscan tombs, lots of country side, and it's a great Italian town! But there is certainly enough to do in Rome. It really just depends what you are interested in. I would first go for a long walk to take in all the antiquities (there are so many , this would probably be day one), stop at a few cafes, find a good restaurant. Then for the remaining two days, I would probably go to museums, depending on what you are interested in, go on a day trip, and maybe you could go to the Vatican? Remember that getting into the Vatican means getting there very early and standing in line... I hope this all helped! You should let me know how your trip goes! I will probably be hanging out in Rome in early July!

anomie22 just read your post! The world needs more people like you. I'm down with responsibilities but what adventure that must have been! I'm very close to moving off after i finish this last bit of college, yay for traveling.