Traveling Italy on a budget. Suggestions?

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Tico Calamity

I have traveled Italy recently, in fact I am living here for a period of time. What I do to save money is travel by train in second class, go to bathrooms at McDonalds - dont eat there though, and if you really like to save find a supermarket - buy water, drinks and food. But if you like to dine, you will get nothing for less than 7 euros - and that is very cheap. It depends on you. Generally the cheapest places are off the main turist attractions, so you have to walk. Also, every time you go to a museum go to the bathroom, also free. You can also eat pizza or calzone, standing of course, to save a few euros. But remember that sometimes is ok to spend. For example, I paid 15 euros to get on top of Pisa tower, but since I wont go there for another 15 years, its worth it. Remember, it is all about balance.

yecart2301

Eating out in restaurants is very expensive. Cheapest way is to use supermarkets, make your own salads, sandwiches and buy beer and wine here. Also look for restaurants offering "Tourist Menu" usually around 10-18 euro for three course and drink. Also some places offer a slice of pizza and drink for 4 or 5 euro but no seating. Dont buy water, take refillable bottle with you and top up with tap water. The water is good and drinkable. Shop for souviners/gifts at the markets in Florence and bargin with the stall owners for best price. This is the best shopping in Italy. Wear comfortable shoes, cobblestone streets everywhere. Use the metro in Rome, it's cheap, fast and efficient but can be very crowded at certain times of the day. Carry personal belongings on your front when in crowds/queues and beware of pickpockets. If you have any other questions, please contact me.

antosimolele

Hey
I recommend you Florence.
Take a look at this typical rural accomodation.
They have cheap prices and really ideal position to enjoy Tuscany.
http://www.residencecasaitalia.com/

let me know if u like it

curiosa

i come from italy.
venice is wonderfull,you can visit the st marc church and go around with the "gondola"you can stay in venice 2 days.

florence is also wonderfull.you can stay here 3 days.
for rome it's better a week.
there's a lot to visit!!

liketravel

Here I suggest that you can book a tour on tours4fun.com and join its "A Taste of Italy" tour. My friend used it last month and said it's very fantastic! He visited Rome, Venice and Florence.
Moreover, the price is very reasonable.
http://www.tours4fun.com/globus-zh-a-taste-of-italy.html

conley39

For the most reasonable prices and generally better food, you'll want to be out of the immediate area of the big tourist attractions.

La Zucca is fairly reasonable for Venice: http://www.lazucca.it/ita/index.asp?L=2 However, Venice is pretty expensive. You'll be able to eat here at around 25 euro for a meal. The restaurants have menus posted where you can see the prices. Check around and find something that interests you. You can get panini or pizza by the slice for 5 to 7 euro depending on exactly where you are. A pizza at a sit down place will run about 10 to 15 euro.There's a place in Caqmpo San Stefano where you can get Bruschetta for around 8 euro. A few things to be aware of: some things, especially fish, may be priced "per etto". That's the price for 100 grams (about 3 oz), pre trimed and pre cooked. This can come out to be pretty expensive if you're not careful. If you're in Piazza San Marco, the grand cafes (Qadri, Florians, ...) are nice, but expensive. It costs more if the combo is playing. There are markets, for instance around Rialto, where you can get a cup of fruit for 1.50 euro.

In Florence, there's a place called Mama Mia right next to Il Porcellino at the outdoor market that has a good walnut and gorgonzola bruschetta and the Ribollita is very good. There's a ticket booth on the back side of the Orsanmichele. If you go down the street opposite to the ticket booth, there's a restaurant called I Cinque Amici that's reasonable and pretty good. I like the Ribollita and the Cinghiale there.

Alle Mossacce is a good budget restaurant: http://www.trattorialemossacce.it/. You might also try Trattoria Borgo Antico in Piazza Santo Spirito.

In Rome, Maccheroni in Piazza delle Coppelle is pretty reasonable and very good. They have some excellent pasta. http://www.ristorantemaccheroni.com/

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