travel to Italy - but LOW on funds

I understand the desire to want to see as much as possible on a trip to Europe, but you can save money by just staying in one place. Personally, I don't think it would be un-enjoyable to spend the whole time in Rome, at all. So many people spend so much time traveling between cities in Italy - lots of great ones, sure, but the cost of doing this adds up. Save money and stay put.

I think I could happily spend a year in Rome, just wandering into all of the FREE churches and other open air FREE ruins, statues, fountains...etc. Rome is a sensory feast and I would love to have the time to savor it rather than trying to see everywhere else. I would LOVE to be stuck in Rome!

Don't forget that if the apt is close to the train station you can take day trips to areas outside of Rome.

But I think that you will find so much to do in Rome that you will have a wonderful time if uyou just stay there.

A little more info about who the 5 people are would be helpful too. Kids? Little kids? Teens? And is the 6 days you have an apt for the entire length of your trip? If so (assuming airfare is not part of the $3000) I think that you can easily stay within budget if you stay put in Rome in your apt. As someone else pointed out - there are lots of free things to do in Rome. And in an apt you can prepare some of your meals - even making yourselves a big breakfast and being able to pack snacks will save you lots of money.

If you've never been to Rome before 6 days isn't enough time to get bored!

Thanks for all your suggestions - my 3 kids are teenage girls 15,16,17. One day I would like to rent scooters and ride around (not in central Rome) I found a place who will rent to my 2 oldest girls with their drivers licenses and the youngest will ride with my husband. This will be the most expensive treat of the trip. Any suggestions on where to go for a few hours and stay out of Rome traffic?

Wow -- Rome is scooter central! Not sure where the best place is to ride, but take it easy, particularly during the commuting hours!

I have had a m/c license for 40+ years and would only rent a scooter in Rome after deciding that I had a terminal illness anyway.

Once you see the driving in Italy I doubt you will want to drive a scooter - let alone let your teenage children drive one. I guess I'm a bit confused. You talk about saving money and then mention renting scooters. Scooters are unnecessary expense.

My thought on renting scooters, would be for a couple of hours on a back road from Rome - NOT in the main city driving. The reason we were going to splurge on this, is because we are not eating out much (we'll eat in the apartment most of the time or picnic) and I wanted to have a treat for the teens. If there is not way to scooter without it being in the city, then I will definitely not do it - I have heard of the crazy driving there.

I must confess that my first reaction to the very thought of allowing young,inexperienced teenage drivers to rent scooters in or near ROME(heaven forbid!)is that the parent must not like them very much.(...and I'm sure that's not the case, but honestly...)My daughters would probably think that would be great fun,but sometimes the parent has to be the thinking,responsible party and protect them from harm.Teen drivers in the US are a high risk. Compound that with maniac Italian driving and absolutely no crash protection from air bags or car metal and it spells potential disaster.If low funds are a problem,can you imagine the extra insurance needed and medical bills if there would be an accident?Rome has plenty to offer without risking your kids lives.

Rome is a wonderful place to stay. You can do day trips from Rome. You can train up to Orvieto for the day and even up to Florence (2.5 hours on train) You can even travel to Pompeii for the day. Rome is wonderful and has lots and lots to see. It you can only do Rome it fine!!! Happy travels.

I agree with everyone else re:scooters.I like to drive in Italy -I think they are good drivers, just faster than us, but Rome terrifies me! It's hard enough to cross the street on foot sometimes!Teenage girls usually like to shop.(I have led trips to Italy & always lost them window shopping) Instead of the scooters, give them a little budget, then let them spend most of their time deciding what to use it for.I like to go to the "real" parts of the cities I visit & do my Christmas gift & souvenir shopping there.Artisan & little shops in the Trastevere area have wonderful items, as do hardware stores. There's also a big Sunday flea market at Porta Rossa.If the purchases are really Italian, it will mean more & last longer.
A relatively inexpensive treat for old & young alike is an evening pizza at the Piazza Navona, where people watching is the entertainment. Make sure you have a few euro for gelato budgeted in!

I saw one of Rick's videos and would be terrified to let my son or daughter ride a scooter in the States much less in Rome! Yikes. Check out his DVD and you'll see why :-)

What is there to do in Orvieto?

Ok - you have all talked me out of the scooter thing. Thanks for the other ideas. Maybe we will rent bicycles instead for the backroads. ;)

You could also take a local train 1/2 hr to Ostia Antica, former Roman city ruins, that Rick recommends, or Tivoli Gardens,or the hills of Sabina...but when in Rome, if the city becomes too much city, head for the Borghese gardens with fine art museum, the best etruscan museum & acres of parkland.
Orvieto also has a lot of etruscan interest & museum, caves beneath the city, fabulous views all around & great wine.The cathedral is magnificent,& if you are into art, the chapel inside is really special(small fee).

Hi Janet,
We always travel on a budget so I understand. Plus sadly the US$ is so low, ouch!
we stayed at B&B in rome that was very economical and included breakfast and they had some big rooms - ours had 3 double beds in it for my family.
here is the website.www.anfiteatroflavio.com
You might also consider staying in Rome like say 4 days and then going out in the countryside in Umbria or Tuscany and visiting hilltowns etc farmhouses have very cheap prices compared to city hotels&they also have apartments that fit more people.

I also found a very cheap option in Venice too(You can take a train to Venice from Rome- family train pass gives discounts to combo 2 adlts+children)This guesthouse/hostel is located perfectly halfway between Rialto&St Marks. Our room was a private room with 4 bunkbeds &2bathrooms just for our use &they also offer hostel beds but boys and girls separated...
tel. 041-5286797 (9am-1pm, 6pm-8pm)
fax 041-2416238
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