Accomodation Price Guide

Your best bet is to get a Rick Steves Italy 2014 book. He has recommend places to sleep in all of those areas with costs. You can get a good idea of a budget from that. I am planning a trip in May to many of the same places for 28 nights and it looks like it will come in at about 100 Euro per night. I have seen posts on this forum from people who have done it for less than 80 Euro per night.

We usually look to pay no more than 70 Euros when in Italy for rooms. Most rooms are booked on Booking.com, the internet's largest website for rooms in every part of the world.

You can get cheaper rooms on AirBnB.com, and there are a number of other places to look for rooms. Last time I used AirBnB, I had to pay when the reservation was made, which I didn't like.

We look to spend less than 150 Euros per day for the most part. We avoid expensive restaurants, but take in all the popular museums and tourist sights.

We like agriturismos in Tuscany (south of Florence), especially when they have kitchens. We often cook one meal, and eat heavily at breakfast when they're provided. And we're quick to picnic.

Despite our frugal travel ways, we don't suffer in any way.

Hard to say because it is seasonal. Venice is always the most expensive, but surprisingly, prices go down in August, which is Italian vacation month and everybody says Venice is at its hottest and most crowded. Must be day trippers. So I'd say, budget 150 euro in Venice, 120 in Rome, and 75 in CT, Lakes, Tuscany. Big cities also have fluctuations based on trade shows and conventions. Also in Venice, the shoulder months (April to June, September, October, and of course, Carnival) have the highest prices. I guess its a bit cooler then.

I suggest you look at booking.com, which lets you filter by a number of criteria including price and location. You won't be charged at the time of reservation by booking.com but once in a while a listed property will charge you in advance (disclosed in the hotel's policies section). Reviews are by actual guests. Read them carefully for clues about stairs, noise, etc.

Hi
A lot depends on what type of room you want. If its with an ensuite, then Rome will be around 130E upwards,
Florence, CT, Tuscany 100E, Venice depends on where but 135E near the Realto, I felt were good prices with breakfasts.
There are cheaper and dearer depending on distance away from "the centre" of town.
These however suited us well. regards

Apartments are cheaper than B&Bs/hotels, naturally, so that's one way to save money. The downside to an apartment is that you don't usually get as much assistance in planning your activities, and it's not as social. For March/April, I would suggest looking for places 120E and under. The less "major" the location, the lower the prices, so Rome and Venice will be among the most expensive (although bargains can be found).

The CT in March/April will not be at its best, so you might want to eliminate that from your itinerary. Lots of rain and clouds and chilly weather. Same with the Lake District.

I am traveling in late March too and using a combination of Rick's guidebook, reviews on this bulletin board, and tripadvisor.com (good for lots of photos)have booked B&Bs in Venice for 100 Euro and Florence for 150 Euro a night, both very central. Have not booked Rome yet but only because I am still deciding on a neighborhood. I look at the accomodation cost as though I were staying in any big city in the US.
Hope this helps.

Thanks for your replies some great info to get our planning started . I am sure I will be back soon!
T