Hello my friends, it's been almost a year of my absence on this site, last March we went to Paris and I talked to you before our trip. Now being deadly tired and purely bankrupt after my self published memoir in December about my father, and having this weak dollar situation we still cannot make ourselves to give up and go to all inclusive nightmare. As always, I decided to ask for your advice and opinion if it is all possible to find any restful place on budget somewhere in Italy, or Spain, nearby markets and easy access to a big city nearby. We are between Italy and Spain, I have no idea about Spain peaceful places but I know that both my husband and I are crazy about Italy. Though this time in my condition I don't want to be in a big city since I just need a physical and mental rest. We can afford to eat inside only. Does it sound crazy for you? I am just a library worker, so, what you can expect!
Many thanks as always!

Arnolda, I don't know what you mean by "budget" but thought I would point out one of our regular posters here, and their service. They have a place in the south of Spain, and they do everything for you; pick you up at the airport, drive you around, cook for you, basically take care of you. It is a beautiful area, and very peaceful, but not too near any big city.
Check it out:
http://www.natural-images.net/index.html

(The poster is Clive and Sue.)

Good luck with your search.

Thanks so much, Shannon.I will check out all possibilities because we plan our trip for a very late fall, so we have plenty of time. We are on budget-budget... it means like eating inside, shopping on food markets, etc. kind of Rome vacations when we lived nearby Campo de Fiori and I thought I was in heavens!

Welcome back, Arnolda.

Hope you can find something within your budget; as Shannon says, it would help if you gave some figures (how many Euros or dollars per day or week).

And glad your vacation last March worked out, with help from Slow Trav. It would be great if you could post a review of the hotel(s) and rental(s) you stayed in.

In our Frequently Asked Questions forum, you may want to check: Finding Inexpensive Lodging and Inexpensive Dining Ideas

Marian, thanks and -

We stayed in Paris last month at parisbestlodge.com in Studio Le Marais. The location was super super superb, though it is only for two people but it was enough for us. Extremely clean and a beautiful bathroom. I am at work right now so, can't write a lot but indeed it was a great place I can recommend. The owner was very nice, and he had a nice deposit policy.
Our budget is under $1000 for a week of stay.
Kim - thanks for your tip!

Hi,
I am sure you will be able to make it. In Spain even smaller places do have markets and it is possible to find affordable accommodation. There are numerous white villages in Andalucia like Arcos de la Frontera.
We loved staying close to Barcelona (Catalonia), at Villanova i la Geltru, this is on the suburb train line. There are many small places not touristy along that line, where people live and work, but also does have a market and is by a sandy beach where people swim in the summer, and later in the fall a horse school is coming and people are walking. It is an easy and short connection to Barcelona. From there we could go to Taragona by train. Plus because there are vineyards, it is possible to buy Cava (sparkling wines) and many good wines, very affordable.
One of my friends was just there last September with all her family (parents, sister, brother and their husband and wifes and 2 babies) on a budget, and they simply adored it. They stayed in Sitjes which is a bit more touristy, but still on the same train line.

Arnolda, can you Submit Your Reviews? That would be great!

I Don't know about the specifics regarding what you are looking for in an accomodation but, heres an idea. I recently finished reading a book, I think titled Eating Stolen Figs, about a young American who has made several trips to Calabria- solo and with his father in an effort to connect with his Calabrian relatives and their culture. I became interested in the area as a possible alternative to the Amalfi Coast area. It appears to be a less traveled, very much less expensive spot to enjoy great food, the beach and interesting Greek historical sites. A quick peek at villa rentals in the area show prices(2 BR flats)in the E300-400 range for the Spring and Fall. There are not a lot of villa reviews on this site so if anyone has any input or advice, I would also appreciate hearing about it.

as long as you stay away from big cities you will be within budget in Spain and Italy. You can get to the coast by bus or train.
best is to travel now and june or september,november for bargain prices.
if you can narrow down your choices; i can give you specific areas to be in.

Thanks to you all, and Kim - I have just submitted my review about our last year Paris stay at Studio Mazarine rented from Thierry.
After many discussions our hearts still go to Italy. The only problem that I desperately want to see Lake Como but as far as I know it is great during a nice weather only, and to stay nearby will be extremely expensive nowdays. So, if we find a place with a good market food (is there any place like that besides Campo dei Fiori?!?! - doubt it!) and a chance to take a ride to Lake Como - great! We never been in Milan but my guess that its food has nothing to do with Rome where we ate so great and so cheap.

Popeye - thanks for a tip on the book - will try to get it! As I said we kind of go toward Italy again ... it is an obsession!