Can I travel this summer on this budget?

Where are you flying from? Depending on that, you might be able to get a slightly lower flight, but don't expect the flight costs of even a year ago.

Are you paying for your daughter's flight as well? If so, I don't see any possibility of staying three weeks.

If not, and say you have to pay $1200 for a flight, that leaves $3300, which is about 2200 Euro. That's only about 100 Euro per day for three weeks, which would be pretty tight for hotel, meals for two people, entry fees, transportation.

You don't tell us where you are flying from - which makes a HUGE difference.

But one option to think about -- flying into London or Amsterdam or somewhere else (but especially London since it has the most competition) w/ cheaper fares from the States. Then taking a low-cost intra-Europe flight to Italy. Could save you hundreds of $$

Stay in one or two towns, and try to rent an apartment. Really do your research there, and then find the best deal. Buy food at a market & cook yourself.

Low cost carriers are a good idea. Don't fly into Italy, if you can find a different combo, as previoulsy mentioned.

Sorry- I edited my earlier post and I accidently erased the departure city. I can depart from Chicago, South Bend (my city), or Indianapolis. I am not paying for my daughter's airfare and maybe only a few meals. I thought maybe an apartment in Rome would let us make some of our own meals and also give us the experience of shopping for groceries. Breakfast would definitely be easier and cheaper in an apartment.

I looked into flying into London since I have had good luck with inexpensive airfares to there in the past but this year is different. I think it would cost more.

we found cheap flights yesterday from Chicago to Munich on Orbitz on American Airlines. They have a sale that started this week. They saved us $300 per ticket.

Lowest fare that I saw on Kayak was $1251 for chicago to rome on iberia this summer (outward dates from late July to beg. August for 3 weeks).

Stay in an apartment. Check out sleep in italy as they have good rates.

I am also looking at a three week trip to Europe this summer and coming up with a budget of just about $4200-$4500. But I am going alone. I don't know if you can do it paying for accommodation for two.It sounds like your daughter will be paying for her meals, admissions, etc? Is that right? If so, then you can probably swing it, but just barely. I'm looking at airfare of $1300 and a daily budget of €100 a day. I've kept to that budget on past trips without much trouble, but things are going up even in euros, not to mention the exchange rate. If we're just talking euros though I've found I spend about €60 for hotel, €20-25 for food and the rest for admissions and local transportation. How many different places do you want to go? Trains are fairly economical in Italy, but even €10-15 a trip can add up. Staying in one or two places (like Rome and Florence) and renting an apartment might be your best bet. You will find hotels for around €60 for a double but it will probably not have AC (could be a problem in Italy in summer) or a lift, etc. My minimum requirement in Italy in summer is that the hotel have AC. Obviously you'll need to do a lot of picnic eating but that can be good, pizza is also wonderful and pretty economical.

It can be done, but you'll need to do lots of research to figure out the best deals, and to know in advance which sites you want to spend money on for admissions, etc. Is there any way you can add a few hundred dollars more to your budget. That would make it less of a struggle. Most people I know would not want to travel as economically as I do, and I'm not finding a way to do it for less than about $4300 for 18 nights for one person so for two it will be very hard. When I travel with my husband the per person costs are easily kept to under €100 a day, but then we are paying for two. Can your daughter come up with some of it?

I just finished booking all of my May trip to Italy. Thats about what I am spending. I leave from Iowa. So air fare is a little more. But if you book from Chi. to Germany or London, then small airline to Rome. It may be cheaper. It was for me. Make sure you have enough time between fights, just incase something happens. In Rome, i will take the train to city, then cab to apartment. I found an Apartment is much more reasonible and you may also fix meals there. Big savings. There are lots of agents with apartments for a week. I used sleepinitaly, great prices.Shop airfares, but don't wait to long. Apartments usually start on a Sat, thru Sat morning.You can budget your meals from there. Good Luck, and have fun.

I think I can come up with maybe another $500 - $1000 from the grant if I can figure out a way to deduct some of my expenses and reduce the tax liability. I will try the sleep in Italy agency.

I think your idea of looking into an apartment in Rome makes sense. We found the total night cost for 3 people to be much more reasonable than most hotels. We used realrome.com
We ate (substantial) breakfasts and snacks but few meals at the apartment. We could definitely have saved money on food by eating in more or buying more picnic supplies at the supermarket

Rent an apt. You will save a lot of money om meals!

Yes I think it's doable, especially if you rent apartments. Take the $1400 airfare off the grant, and that's still $1000 per week for the 3-week trip. Not luxurious, but definitely can be done. Will your daughter pay her own daily expenses like food, local transportation, and admissions?

Here's a place I've noted in Rome. I can't comment on its quality, but it's in a neighborhood that is reasonably convenient and likely less expensive to buy food. I also saw a good review on TripAdvisor.

http://www.italialodging.com/est/milonga/

So for a three-week stay, I think you could manage if you are careful.

I know some people absolutely would not consider it, but with hostels you could also stretch your accommodation dollars.

Another Rome possibility:
http://www.villageflaminio.com/

Click on the link for Bungalow Park.

I know similar options exist near Venice and Florence, and other options for Rome and other cities. I'm sure you can work something out. With three weeks, you can make a compromise with a less central location.

I'm not sure if convents have been mentioned, but of course that's another option too.

Hi. Too bad it must be a summer travel? Its way cheaper in Spring. Although there was a fare sale last February 29th where SFO to LHR was only $617 RT (taxes and fees included) on US Air all summer long (at least it looked like it was available on any day in June, July and August). Otherwise, I agree, you should be ok if you rent an apartment instead of hotel.

I always lament that I am stuck traveling high season. I am finding that most of the apartments are also about 100 euros per day. It is very easy to look at the photos and be seduced into paying more because it looks so charming. I guess, the savings are that you can cook your own meals - and I plan to. Will an apartment be less expensive in the Florence area?

Hi Sewitall

Have you thought about universities? They have dormatories which are not being used during the summer, I am pretty sure some of them rent out rooms during the summer.

Gemma

Europe in the summer is always going to be difficult. One thing that might keep your costs down is if you consider traveling in August. This month is traditionally when all the Italians go to the seaside. This can mean that city accommodation is cheaper (and you may be able to rent directly from Italians - you can also look into a home swap where you stay in an Italians home and they come to the states and stay in yours). The downside is that, because the Italians traditionally take the whole month of August off work, many things are closed completely or for a half day. This can play havoc if you have a tight schedule but can be a relief from the heat if you have extra days to get in your sightseeing. It also means that the cities are less crowded. Be warned though, that seaside accommodation is scarce and pricey in that month. To save on fares you could consider flying into the UK and then getting a cheap flight or train to Italy since you have the spare time.

My friend have traveled several times to Italy and now are planning a trip to Rome from Boston in November. I found VRBO.com, realrome.com,arrivalguides.com will give you good information for apartment hunting/hostels and entertainment. It is very hot in Rome in the summer months. Be sure there is air conditioning and elevators. You have to carry all your bags so do not pack heavy. I bring the smalles L.L. Bean suitcase they make. Also you can wash you clothes in the sink or look for laundromats. We are planning to stay in the Trastevere area in Rome but not to close to it because it very noisy with markets in the day time and clubs at night.

good luck

We rented apartments in Venice and the Cinque Terre in Apr/May of 2006. Now I know summer rates will be higher but we paid about $115/night in Venice and $80/night in CT. Food from grocery stores cost about $150/week but that included beer and wine. We ate pizza once each week -$15 including a beer each. Trains, CT pass, bus, a couple of taxis, and entrance fees cost about $700. HTH

Hello! I dont know if you are only looking at rome and if you are looking at staying in the heart of the city but I am planning on staying at this charming B&B which also has an Apartment kinda Near Lucca. The Price is amazing although it is a little far from the big cities. I was told by the manager that it isclose to bologna, 1 hour by car to the Cinque Terre, about 1.5 to pisa and 2 to florence. You can also train-which is somewhat close. It is more of a small town/explore the little villages feel but I really want to experiance that on my vacation plus it is central to exploring many places that I want to see without having to move hotels... If I want to go to florence one day and the cinque terre the next, I can. If its just the two of you, you can get a double room and the cost for one week would be $655 US which is 93 dollars a night. The apartment is slightly more at $133 a night but you have a kitchen. The room(not apartment) includes breakfast and because you would be doing day trips, I would think that you wouldnt really use the kitchen. Anyhow, They have some of the best review I have seen online in this price range.... The name is Rustico Sara and Cottage Giusy- http://www.tuscany.net/sara/

Also, Go to open air markets and buy some meat and cheese ... oh, and Pane and have yourself a nice picnic

My husband and I are also going to Italy again this summer, on a budget. We've always found it cheaper to rent an apartment rather than stay in a hotel. There are inexpensive ones to be found. Try this website: www.holiday-rentals.co.uk. It has a huge selection and range. We have used this company with great results. Youth hostels are also a cheap way to go. Check out the guidebook series, Lonely Planet, for cheap travel and hotel suggestions.

I would stay away from major cities, which are generally more expensive. Florence will be overrun with tourists but I was there during the summer and loved it anyway. There may be some cheaper hotels on the left bank of the Arno. And you can walk almost anywhere in Florence, or take the bus. Take the bus up to Fiesole on the hill overlooking Florence to visit the Roman bath ruins and the museum. Have a picnic there. Spectacular view of the city.

You can take a train or bus to Siena from Florence.

You can do it but it will be tight. After all, think how many students go every year to Europe on the cheap. Good luck!

Hi Sewitall,

lets say you get your air budget sorted out, what you need is budget management even while staying in Italy.

Trust me, you need to know the good dals or staying there can be quite expensive,
I say why dont you do like me, hostels, they always are a better option when it comes to visiting a place,
I have traveled quite a bit of europe land, and always on the move, nothing gave me a better deal and time than to stay in hostels.
In italy, I recommend Amirai, located in the heart of the historical Rome in front of the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore a short walk from the Colosseum,the Roman Forum. friendly and welcoming atmosphere, where you will find great hospitality at cheap prices.

Stay there, or get discounts, try www.hosteltraveler.com, you should be able to find good deals within your budget and also the booking deposits are pretty low, so get started... al the best