Traveling with two other couples and our airfare, car rental, accommodations and some tours are already paid for. We're spending 3 days in Rome, 4 nights in an apartment in Lucca and the rest of the trip at a villa north of Venice. Planning to take day trips from the home bases in Lucca and Veneto. We plan to bring $4,000 spending money for food, restaurants a couple more tours and gifts. Does this sound like enough given current exchange rates? Also, any tips and suggestions of not to miss places would be most appreciated. Cinque Terre and the Dolomites are on our agenda as are Vatican and Colosseum.
Posted by
Tulsa, OK
355 posts
I'm hoping you aren't actually carrying $4000 with you. Getting money as you go from Bancomats is such the better and safer way to go.
That said, you should have no problem being short of money as long as you don't buy very expensive souvenirs and always eat at very expensive restaurants. Cooking a little while at your villa will also help with expenses and give you the added fun of shopping in the supermarkets.
After 12 trips to different countries in Europe, I've found we usually spend around $3000 while on the trip. I, too usually have paid for accommodations, cars, transport, etc. and usually stay around two weeks.
Posted by
Carmel, CA, USA
2455 posts
Hmmmm, twelsh22, $4000 spent over 14 days is $286 per day. Is that for you as a couple, or for all three couples? If the former, then sure that's more than enough, unless your gift budget is way more than most. If the latter, meaning covering 6 people, almost definitely not. Your food and drink budget per day can run anywhere from maybe $30 to well over $100 per person, depending on your appetites and tastes, as well as whether your lodging will include a nice breakfast everyday. Your gift budget can be anywhere from almost zero to limitless. Will you be paying for gas, tolls and parking out of this money too? Those will depend on your car plans. When you say "bring $4000" I hope you aren't planning to actually bring money, whether dollars or euros, with you. You can depend on debit cards to get cash, and credit cards for many probably most expenses. There are separate pages and threads on this web site and in RS travel books with tips related to getting the best and safest use out of your debit and credit cards.
Posted by
Washington
56 posts
As a single traveler, I budget 100 euro per day for food & drink, museums & events, local transportation and the occasional unexpected expense. Whether that's enough is completely up to your needs, means and personal preference. I would echo many comments on this forum that shopping for groceries and picnics can be the most fun way to enjoy the local flavor...it's also the most affordable.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
About 100€ per person per day should be adequate.
10€ breakfast / 20€ lunch / 40€ dinner
30€ local transport and sightseeing
This works out to about US$1600 over 2 weeks under current exchange rates.
Personally I prefer not to carry large amounts of cash, but rather make ATM withdrawals in 300€ amounts as needed.
Posted by
The Heartland USA
8440 posts
twelsh think of it as if you were going to California. Would you bring $4000 in cash with you? No, you would bring your debit card and get cash as you needed it. It works the same in Europe.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23267 posts
We plan to bring $4,000 spending money
Before we jump to too many false assumptions, just how do you plan to bring, or carry this $4000? Cash is not smart and Travel Cheques is really, really stupid. So, what is the plan?
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area
5697 posts
So you leave $4,000 in your checking account accessible by your debit card (or split between two accounts accessible by two debit cards) and get euros from the Bancomat (ATM) as needed. If it makes you feel safer, you could leave more in the account(s). Since you aren't converting into euros until you take the Bancomat withdrawals, there's no cost for having extra cash available. Unless, of course, you go crazy with souvenirs.