My wife and I are flying to Italy for free through my work in late May (28th) and leaving 12-14 days later. Almost half the trip (around 4 days) will be spent with relatives at Aviano in their house near the AFB. That being said, how realistic is planning on spending $2000-2500 for the rest of our time (around 8-10 days) in Italy? We would like to hit Venice, CT, and Rome and if time and $ allow, Siena/Florence/etc. Our dates of travel, after the days in Aviano will be June 1st or 2nd through the 10th or 12th. Thank you! Brandon
Spokane, WA
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
$200/$250 a day will be tight if that includes lodging and transportation. Hotels in Rome and Florence can easily be $150 or more. And then there are entry fees, eating, etc.
Posted by
Cesena, Italy
791 posts
I would suggest, if possible, to do Venice as a day trip from Aviano. About an hour away. Lodging in Venice is very expensive.
Posted by
Dallas, TX, usa
323 posts
We managed (with the help of Ricks books) a trip for just over $200.00 a day. We did much advance planning but saw a great deal of Italy. Venice is costly as is Florence and Rome. But you can take day trips on buses and trains and stay in a less expensive towns close by. For instance Orvieto is a beautiful place and only about an hour train ride to Rome. Museums are expensive so best to decide what you really want to see.
We used apartments, when possible, and therefore rarely ate out more than once a day. Or we just picked up cheese meat and bread and made meals that way too. Food is certainly part of the experience but you can do it cheaply, and flying for free, what a great deal.
Posted by
Rome
27 posts
Keep in mind that exchange rate now is about Euro 1 for USD 1.3. You should consider staying in B&B places since hotels in Rome, Venice and Florence are expensive. Food can be pricy, and my advice is - do not eat in the restaurants which are in the center of the city. It is hard to find really goo ones, and they are usually overpriced.
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
Try (cross-pollinate.com) they have apt in Venice $120-145 nite. Rome $130 & up. Florence is more expensive. This gives you the option of cooking in for a few meals and saving some $$ In the CT, go with Ricks' picks, so far we have not been disappointed.
Think your budget should work if you don't go overboard with food.
Posted by
Wiesbaden, Germany
791 posts
You can save a ton of money in Venice if you stick to the take away panini, pizza by the slice, etc. Venice is not known in Italy for having good food and the restaurants are generally bad and overpriced (save for the occasional hidden gem) while the panini are delicious, fast, filling and cheap (less than 5 euros).
Posted by
OP
Spokane, WA, USA
18 posts
Thank you to all who have posted. I like the panini idea and cross-pollinate has been an excellent resource to look over tonight. We have tenative reservations for either Locanda Matir ($130/ni) or Hotel Al Duca Di Venezia ($215/ni) on the 1st of June or Casa Di Sara ($162/ni) on the 2nd in Venice. We've also considered Ca' Maria in Venice as well, that was for $130/ni for two nights. Any thoughts on one of those would be appreciated. We have also been looking in the CT for a place and could tenatively confirm room #4 with Martina Callo ($100/ni) in Vernazza for two nights. Thanks to all for your help! By the way, anyone going to Rick's class on Italy this Saturday at the Edmonds Theater? My wife and I are flying over to attend. Hope it'll be fun!!
Posted by
Wiesbaden, Germany
791 posts
Check out Alloggi alla Scala in Venice, she usually has double rooms for around 90 euro a night and it's a great location. Google it, their site should come up.