My wife and I are traveling to Europe (Spain, Switzerland, and Italy) with another couple, and trying to do it on a budget. We realize that this won't be the most "romantic" trip, but that's OK. We are trying to figure out if it would be better to stay in hostels or to find rooms that sleep 4 (and occasionally "splurge" on two rooms sleeping 2 each). How are the hostels in Milan, Florence, Siena, and Rome? We'll probably rent rooms in the Cinque Terra and possibly Orvieta. Thanks!
Posted by
The Hague, NL (AMS)
2207 posts
How other about other Hotel Alternatives in Rome? We stay in convents and monasteries often. We love the Alma Domus in Siena.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
The other problem that you could encountered is that a lot of two and three stars hotels do not have many rooms that will handle four people so you could find some restrictions on where you can stay. When we travel with our two sons, family rooms were more difficult to find.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
Why not look for an apartment instead? An additional benefit is you would have a kitchen.
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
Jeff, For Rome, (Sleepinrome.it) (The beehive.com) Florence, Siena, Barcelona (Cross-Pollinate.com) Valencia Spain (Bluemoonvalencia.com) Madrid Spain (Book assist.com) Terraza Ana Studio Hope this is of some help, have fun planning.
Posted by
Calgary
2297 posts
I would also suggest to look at appartments as another option.
Posted by
gaston, oregon, usa
842 posts
Check out apts. We always do this when we travel with frinds in the EU. we have found great deals on VRBO.com, and Homelidays.com. Others use Homeaway. Many Agritourisimos in Italy offer self-contained apts. You get the added advantage of "eating in".....at least Bfast. My wife, and one couple that we travel with, both love to cook. We had made some memorable meals using local fresh foods.
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12315 posts
For budget accomodations, you probably want appartments or pensions. Hostels aren't really any cheaper than budget hotels when you have to pay for multiple people or want private rooms. I typically call a budget hotel or pension on my list (created from research before my trip), tell them what I need, let them tell me what they have and the price. If it's a good deal, I book it (usually five to seven hours before I arrive). This technique works well for shoulder season travel, I'm not sure it's the best way to travel in high season.
Posted by
La Crescenta, California, USA
361 posts
Skip Switzerland and spend the extra dough on nicer hotel rooms.