I know everyone is freaking out about the rising gas and food prices. Even those who don't need to maintain a tight budget are re-thinking how to spend their money. And of course, that affects our travel plans. What's an Italy lover to do???
Well, TRAVEL to Italy, I say. Life can't stop; it's much too short. How do we know when things will change? Maybe they won't, so let's just adjust. Rather than use the term "budget travel" let's call it creative travel. Here are a few tips for traveling in a manner that costs less than we might have spent 5 years ago.
1) Travel off season when prices are lower for airline tickets and lodging.
2) Use frequent flier miles for airline tickets when possible.
3) Travel with a small group of friends or family, rent a house and share the expense.
4) Renting a house in Italy with a small group will allow you to shop locally and cook more of your meals, thus saving on restaurant bills.
5) Also, if you have a group you can split the cost of car/van rentals, a big vacation expense in Italy.
6) Staying in the countryside, rather than in the big cities will save considerably on lodging and food costs.
7) If you really want to be careful with expenses, do what one of my friends does and rent out your house as a vacation rental, when you are away in Italy.
8) NO SHOPPING!
9) When dining out drink the house wines rather than ordering specialty bottles. The local wines are usually quite nice.
10) Shop at the local market for picnic items and have lots of picnics when out for a day trip.
11) Shorten the length of your stay if that is feasible.
So, be creative and think about what other ways you can keep your dollars in your pocket but still have a great Italian vacation. I just gave you a few ideas, now it's your turn. And please share your suggestions with us in a "comment"........
Have a great vacation!!!
Ciao, tutti,
Cheryl
5 comments:
Hi
Good tips but you might have overlooked the opportunity to stay in a monastery. These are safe, can be centrally located and are good value to money. I found a site www.monasterystays.com which lists lots.
Hi John,
Thank you so much for adding this valuable information. I agree, a monastery is a great idea for lodging for the very reasons you mention. One thing I've noted in some, though, is that they will lock the doors in the evening, usually by 10 or 11 pm. So, for night owls, that may not work....
Keep the suggestions coming, everyone.
Cheryl
Hi Cheryl
This makes me feel more than ever that I would love to join you on a small group Italian tour very soon. In fact it looks so much more possible than one imagines.
I love the ideas you suggest and remember when my sister and I travelled to Italy as students in the late
1980's with little money. We bought all our food at the markets....black and green delicious olives rolled up in a cone made of butcher paper,slices of fresh salami, fresh baked crunchy bread and a wedge of cheese. That with a cheap but nice red was our lunch which we partook in various parks, piazzas, ruins and benches.Delightful! Sometimes a small budget gives us a wonderfully different experience!
Those are great suggestions...I'd go even further to say that the dollar/euro difference is pretty much psychological...meaning, the difference between what you'd spend today - vs- last year is truly minimal. Airfares & car rentals are actually down, in order to entice you yankies over here!
But, another terrific option is home exchange (there are sites for this), depending on where you live, of course, and then, instead of hotels, going to apartments or B&Bs (usually with self service kitchens), and cooking in or making sandwiches!
fmaggi
www.touringtracks.com
http:burntbythetuscansun.blogspot.com
Yes, Francesca, I also believe it's a psychological thing because the whole driving force behind money is so emotional to begin with. Glad to know there are others out there who agree.
Good suggestions and I wholeheartedly believe in renting apartments or casitas, mostly because it seems more authentic and less temporary than a hotel.
Grazie mille,
Cheryl
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