Budget for travelers AGES 24, 20, 18

Gabbi, go to www.santasuasanna.org, and click on coming to Rome. They have an extensive list of convents at all price ranges and locations. I usually stay at Santa Maria alla Fornaci, which is about 5 minutes from the Vatican. In Florence, Stayed at Casa Santa Nomoni, which is about 5 minutes from the bridge and the museum, and about a 20 minute walk from the train station. There is also a convenience store right down the street.

" Our plan is to be in Rome for 4 days and then drive to Florence and spend 3 days in Florence. "

Is this required? The train will eliminate the difficulty that one faces in dealing with parking in or near Florence. Just a thought. Have a great family trip!

Hi Gabbi,

Check out this site as well: Cross Pollinate.

I agree that taking the train between Rome and Florence would be easier than driving under the circumstances.

Have a great trip!

Ugh,, don't drive,, can't tell you how many posts I have read over the years on this,, and other travel forums, about people getting ticketed . You get these tickets months,, even up to year later,, in mail, and they are legit. There are restricted driving zones in many cities, and although marked with signs, apparently difficult to notice( since one is just trying to get around) . Gas is expensive, and parking is too.

Take train,, it is far more "local" too, most people do use trains.

As for a "fortune" what is that in euros?? I found a hotel in Rome ( HOtel Selene) that was only 80 euros for the two of us two summers ago, and room was a triple( had three beds in it). Even if price has gone up its likely still a good deal. I paid in cash so it was cheaper, do get a reciept when you pay in cash.. always.

Have you checked out the tripadvisor.com forums, they are great, and also , check out Lonely Planets forums, called Thorntree I think, great for budget travellers.

I'm with the other posters -- forget the car -- and here is why: 1) the car is not helpful within either city, 2) people that age can turn time on a train into social time -- go to the dining car and meet some people, or look for another couple of younger folks and sit in their compartment with them, 3) if you're exhausted you can all three nap on the train, 4) in Italy you can do it cheaper, 5) trains never get lost, 6)... I'll stop now.

I agree with Pat -- you should be able to land a Tb in either city for 75 to 80 Euros -- which is about $105 at current exchange rates. If you want your shower down the hall and will pay cash you can even get as low as 60 Euros ($84) but splitting it three ways you can swing $105 to $115 can't you?

Great link Sharon! I was unfortunately ignorant of that website!

Per person you can sightsee in Rome or Florence for 20 Euros on average and eat for 20 to 25 Euros on average, so call it 42.50 Euros or $60 per person per day at current exchange rates; splitting that Tb room I noted comes up to $90 per person per day.

If you cheapo for breakfast, picnic for lunch, and watch it for dinner you can cut that almost in half -- but it's hard to suggest a budget not knowing what your tastes are like.

When your ages I personally... worked a second job for several months before going to Europe, took my lunch to work at home for a year, mowed the neighbor's grass, clipped coupons, put off buying that pair of shoes, asked relatives for cash (or travel needs) for Christmas, sold old clothes at the thrift store, bought my clothes at the thrift store, turned down friends for that evening out for drinks, didn't see a movie in the theatre for a year, sold my TV, and more just like that... so I could spend that extra $60 per day on my 17 day trip to Germany/Austria/Swizterland when I was 29, my 18 day trip to Italy/Switzerland when I was 30, and my 21 day trip to Swizterland/Austria/Gemany/Holland/Belgium when I was 32.

According to Auto Europe, 23 in is the minimum age to rent a car and drivers ages 23-24 will incur a surcharge. Train travel would make the trip so much less stressful and probably more economical.

Hi All- Thanks so much for your help.

While this is a little silly to say, our parents are funding a good portion of this trip (graduation gift, christmas gift and birthday gift all in one), so we're not necessarily looking for budget travel, but more of an expected daily spend if we went to all the major sites and ate at middle of the road places.

I have checked out the sites you have recommended. SO GREAT!