I often see questions asking how much one should budget for a planned trip. That's a tough question to answer as each of us are different in our travel style.
I try to stretch my vacation dollars as far as I can, but within the perimeters of my travel preferences. I am not willing to staying a bare bones, budget or shared bath property. I also don't need posh digs, but I am very particular in my selection as it must be clean, get fantastic reviews, be fairly priced and in an ideal location. I joke and say that I am a cheap date, as you can see below my food expenses are low. I don't drink alcohol and fine dining is not my thing. Another huge savings for me is that I am not a shopper, even when it comes to souvenirs. I may buy a few things for others, but this minimalist is a collector of moments in time that create memories. I will splurge on experiences and activities that IMO are what's most important to me during my travels.
I thought it may be helpful and perhaps a bit interesting if I shared the breakdown of what I spent on my recent trip to Italy.
I always pack a small notebook and keep on ongoing log of expenses from my notes and receipts. Upon return from each trip (over the past 30 years) I create a spending breakdown and file it for future reference.
This was a special trip for me...a grand 60th birthday celebration solo to a country I have wanted to visit since I was a teen. It did cost me a bit more than I estimated I would spend when I first began my trip planning. I added more nights, a number of costly experiences and bumped up my lodging in Naples and Rome to more expensive Airbnbs than what I first booked. One could select the same cities and length of stays as I did and move the bar in either direction, tweaking it to what their budget allows and what they desire in a vacation. And if you don't have a pet to board, that's a huge savings :)
ITALY 10/1-10/17 2024 GRAND TOTAL OF EXPENSES $7,046.23
- $790.60 AIRFARE R/T TURKISH AIRLINES (INCLUDING SEAT SELECTIONS)
- $2328.37 LODGING
TOTAL FOR 16 NIGHTS ($145.52 NIGHTLY AVERAGE)
Lodging breakdown below
AIRBNB VENICE 2 NIGHTS $332.36
AIRBNB FLORENCE 4 NIGHTS $632.63
AIRBNB NAPLES 4 NIGHTS $549.65
AIRBNB ROME 5 NIGHTS $629.99
LODGING ROME (FIUMICINO LAST NIGHT) $183.64
-$405.87 TRANSPORTATION (TRAINS/TAXIS/VAPORETTO/AIRPORT SHUTTLE) (breakdown of taxi & trains below)
TAXIS-$140.08 (7 RIDES IN ROME/NAPLES)
TRAINS- $156.34
VENICE TO FLORENCE
FLORENCE TO NAPLES
NAPLES TO POMPEII
POMPEII TO NAPLES
NAPLES TO ROME
TRASTEVERE STA TO FCO
-FOOD $587.21
-GROCERIES $68.61
-ATTRACTIONS/SIGHTSEEING/TOURS $1449.23 (city breakdown below)
- VENICE $51.08
- FLORENCE (INCLUDING FIRENZE CARD PURCHASE & SIGHTS) $147.62
- NAPLES $127.97
- ROME $1122.56 (INCLUDED PRIVATE GOLF CART TOUR & VIP KEYMASTERS TOUR)
-$209.44 MISC DURING INCLUDING SOUVENIRS/30 EURO SUITCASE PURCHASE
-$294.00 MISC PRIOR ITEMS FOR TRIP (backpack, tote bag, purse, battery pack, adapter, earbuds, phone lanyard, clothes, coat, silicone toiletries containers)
-$88 INTERNATIONAL PHONE PLAN (VERIZON)
-$316 TRIP INSURANCE
-$508.90 DOG BOARDING