We stayed here for 3 nights last month. The food was simple, but very adequate, and the fact that it was served by the utterly charming Sister Emerance made it a joy to be at mealtimes there. Dinner menu varied, and breakfast was bread, salad, jam, cheese and ham. The location can be arrived at by local bus, I think no.8, but we got taxis up and walked down. It is about 10 minutes down to the Basilica, you just keep going down left, down all the steps with railings, if you get lost, any of the locl people will be more than helpful at directing you down to where you come out at the lovely Holy Land Restaurant, and then you're a short step away from the street the Basilica is on. We really liked standing in the garden listening to the cacophanous calls to prayer.

If you are, like me, an independent traveler on a modest budget, you may be pleased to find out that the Rosary Sisters in Nazareth offer a single room with breakfast for only 120 NIS (30 USD).

They have 20 rooms with 2 or 3 comfortable beds.

The rooms are spotlessly clean, with private, newly renovated bathrooms, wood shutters, tile floors. The windows face the well-kept
garden, which during my visit in May had all sorts of blossoming
flowers and fruit trees. The place is quiet, with wonderful views of the city from the terrace. The sisters are extremely hospitable and accomodating.

I extended my stay in Nazareth to be able to spend more time there.

The breakfast, included in the room price, is plentiful and delicious, with eggs, cheese, salami, coffee, tea, butter, jam, freshly baked Arabic sweets (baklava, yum!) and organic fruits from their own garden.

The location is little hard to find, although just 10 min. walk from the Basilica of Annunciation.

Here is the Rosary Sisters' address (they do not have email yet): El-Dabas St. 6141/2 Nazareth 16000, P.O. Box 2756 Tel/FAX [--]

For directions, contact them directly, or just ask at the Casa Nova reception desk, across from the Basilica.

If you go, please convey my best regards to Sister Silvia and many thanks from Cristina.

There is also a Rosary Sisters Convent and guest house in Jerusalem, on Agron St. # 14 (next door to the American Consulate). They are conveniently located, a few minutes' walk from most car rental companies on King David St.

A single room with breakfast at the Rosary Sisters in Jerusalem is 50
USD or 200 NIS.