Spending $ for 10 nights (2 people) in Western Europe
Aug 24th, 2014, 02:36 PM
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Spending $ for 10 nights (2 people) in Western Europe
Hello, everyone.
We are spending 2 nights in London, 3 nights in Nice, and 5 nights in Florence. Airfare, accommodation and car rental are all paid for. All hotels/apartment have kitchens. Travelling with my husband and in-laws. Driving from Nice to Florence.
We're not big eaters, but my husband and in laws are wine drinkers. Sandwiches at lunch are fine, and we'd like a nice resto dinner 2-3 times while there.
Initially had more spending $, but due to a family emergency, our spending $ is now down to just between $1,800 - $2,000 for those 10 nights for my husband and I. The petrol cost will be split between us and my in laws.
Will our budget be enough for those 10 nights for food and attractions? Hubby and I don't plan on visiting every museum. In Nice, our goal is to lay on the beach as that's what hubby wants to do.
Thank u in advance!
We are spending 2 nights in London, 3 nights in Nice, and 5 nights in Florence. Airfare, accommodation and car rental are all paid for. All hotels/apartment have kitchens. Travelling with my husband and in-laws. Driving from Nice to Florence.
We're not big eaters, but my husband and in laws are wine drinkers. Sandwiches at lunch are fine, and we'd like a nice resto dinner 2-3 times while there.
Initially had more spending $, but due to a family emergency, our spending $ is now down to just between $1,800 - $2,000 for those 10 nights for my husband and I. The petrol cost will be split between us and my in laws.
Will our budget be enough for those 10 nights for food and attractions? Hubby and I don't plan on visiting every museum. In Nice, our goal is to lay on the beach as that's what hubby wants to do.
Thank u in advance!
Aug 24th, 2014, 03:08 PM
#3
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Who is paying for gas? It s very costly. If you eat out, do it for lunch when prices are cheaper, eat dinner in. If that is all the money you can spend, you'll just have to adapt.
When is this trip? You may want to pay to lay on lounge chairs in Nice, laying on the beach isn't all that comfortable.
When is this trip? You may want to pay to lay on lounge chairs in Nice, laying on the beach isn't all that comfortable.
Aug 24th, 2014, 03:11 PM
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<< In Nice, our goal is to lay on the beach as that's what hubby wants to do. >>
You do know it's a rock beach.
$2,000 will be enough for food and sightseeing. But you need money to get to and from the airports and for gas, tolls, and parking.
<< but my husband and in laws are wine drinkers >>
If you drink soft drinks you'll spend more than they do on beverages.
You do know it's a rock beach.
$2,000 will be enough for food and sightseeing. But you need money to get to and from the airports and for gas, tolls, and parking.
<< but my husband and in laws are wine drinkers >>
If you drink soft drinks you'll spend more than they do on beverages.
Aug 24th, 2014, 03:56 PM
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"Who is paying for gas? It s very costly"
We are splitting the cost with my in laws. Based on Via Michelin, Nice to Florence and back, with a side trip to Grossetto, it's going to be around $300 (including tolls).
"When is this trip?"
We leave September1st.
"You do know it's a rock beach."
Yes, fully aware that it's a pebble beach.
Are the lounge chairs for rent to the public (as our hotel is by Massena Square)?
"But you need money to get to and from the airport, and for gas, tolls and parking."
We are taking the tube from LHR and Gatwick (on our way to Nice), then a cab to our hotel in Nice. The apartment we've rented in Florence has free parking. The cost of petrol and tolls will be split between my in laws and us.
Thank you all for your comments!
We are splitting the cost with my in laws. Based on Via Michelin, Nice to Florence and back, with a side trip to Grossetto, it's going to be around $300 (including tolls).
"When is this trip?"
We leave September1st.
"You do know it's a rock beach."
Yes, fully aware that it's a pebble beach.
Are the lounge chairs for rent to the public (as our hotel is by Massena Square)?"But you need money to get to and from the airport, and for gas, tolls and parking."
We are taking the tube from LHR and Gatwick (on our way to Nice), then a cab to our hotel in Nice. The apartment we've rented in Florence has free parking. The cost of petrol and tolls will be split between my in laws and us.
Thank you all for your comments!
Aug 24th, 2014, 04:07 PM
#6
Er, not tube to Gatwick. Take the train - Southern or First Capital Connect. Pret a Manger has great sandwiches, and ethnic food is good and cheap in London. The best museums are free.
In Nice I take the bus in from the airport - it runs along the Promenade des Anglais to the center.
Actually, your budget sounds ample to me.
In Nice I take the bus in from the airport - it runs along the Promenade des Anglais to the center.
Actually, your budget sounds ample to me.
Aug 24th, 2014, 05:32 PM
#8
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If you are careful you should be OK.
For perspective we try to do one "special" dinner in each city and we allow about $350 for that - for 2 people.
Agree that soft drinks are a huge expensive. Drink water - buy large bottles at markets and refill at your tap - if that tastes OK. We drink bottled water everywhere but are used to NYC water - very soft and essentially flavorless and find tap water in many places tastes odd. But soft drink will be about 3 euros for a minute can - just not worth it. If you must have - again buy large size bottles at markets.
Basic table wine will typically cost less than soda. If your in-laws want to try specific name wines the cost could be very high.
For perspective we try to do one "special" dinner in each city and we allow about $350 for that - for 2 people.
Agree that soft drinks are a huge expensive. Drink water - buy large bottles at markets and refill at your tap - if that tastes OK. We drink bottled water everywhere but are used to NYC water - very soft and essentially flavorless and find tap water in many places tastes odd. But soft drink will be about 3 euros for a minute can - just not worth it. If you must have - again buy large size bottles at markets.
Basic table wine will typically cost less than soda. If your in-laws want to try specific name wines the cost could be very high.
Aug 24th, 2014, 06:28 PM
#10
>>>The apartment we've rented in Florence has free parking<<<
You aren't allowed to drive in central Florence as it's restricted.
You would save money by taking the train from Nice to Florence and forgetting the car rental.
>>>with a side trip to Grossetto<<<
Why? It's a long way to Grosseto from Florence (2+ hours one way).
You aren't allowed to drive in central Florence as it's restricted.
You would save money by taking the train from Nice to Florence and forgetting the car rental.
>>>with a side trip to Grossetto<<<
Why? It's a long way to Grosseto from Florence (2+ hours one way).
Aug 24th, 2014, 08:41 PM
#11
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bring a corkscrew or buy one and buy wine that you can have in your apartment for meals "in". you can have a large lunch out and dinner in on some days, and sandwiches and dinner out on other days, if that works for you. lots of markets have prepared foods so you wont really have to cook
you can buy large bottled water at a supermarket or grocery and few smaller ones... use the large bottles to refill the smaller ones.
you can buy large bottled water at a supermarket or grocery and few smaller ones... use the large bottles to refill the smaller ones.
Aug 25th, 2014, 05:29 AM
#12
Lunch in France, Italy can be Euro 12/15 for 3 courses including wine and tap water (what on earth is bottled water required for, you are not visiting some dump in Pennsylvania now with methane in the water) for the working week. Stick to sandwiches for evening meals, generally vegetarian meals are cheaper than meat based meals in all three countries.
Avoid fizzy international drinks both alcoholic and soft as they will be very expensive.
Basically do what the locals do. You'll be fine on the spending money, I'd over-visit museums in London as most are free.
Avoid fizzy international drinks both alcoholic and soft as they will be very expensive.
Basically do what the locals do. You'll be fine on the spending money, I'd over-visit museums in London as most are free.
Aug 25th, 2014, 05:43 AM
#13
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"You aren't allowed to drive in central Florence as it's restricted. "
Sorry, I meant our apartment in Tuscany (Impruneta) has free parking.
"You would save money by taking the train from Nice to Florence and forgetting the car rental."
The rental car is already paid for. We opted for the car as we're going with my in laws, who are both seniors. The train (3 each way) would be too much for them. Also, our flight back to Canada leaves from Nice, so it would be too much of a hassle to take the train back to Nice the day that we fly back home.
"Why? It's a long way to Grosseto from Florence (2+ hours one way)."
We would like to visit the thermal baths in Saturnia.
"Lunch in France, Italy can be Euro 12/15 for 3 courses including wine and tap water (what on earth is bottled water required for, you are not visiting some dump in Pennsylvania now with methane in the water) for the working week. "
So far, our hotel in London offers free breakfast with our room. For France and Italy, I've budgeted (per person) 7€ for breakfast, 10€ for lunch and 20€ for dinner. Obviously, a bit of wiggle room here and there. Are lunches in Europe always 3 courses? I'm used to just one dish at lunch and 2 at dinner (at most).
Sorry, I meant our apartment in Tuscany (Impruneta) has free parking.
"You would save money by taking the train from Nice to Florence and forgetting the car rental."
The rental car is already paid for. We opted for the car as we're going with my in laws, who are both seniors. The train (3 each way) would be too much for them. Also, our flight back to Canada leaves from Nice, so it would be too much of a hassle to take the train back to Nice the day that we fly back home.
"Why? It's a long way to Grosseto from Florence (2+ hours one way)."
We would like to visit the thermal baths in Saturnia.
"Lunch in France, Italy can be Euro 12/15 for 3 courses including wine and tap water (what on earth is bottled water required for, you are not visiting some dump in Pennsylvania now with methane in the water) for the working week. "
So far, our hotel in London offers free breakfast with our room. For France and Italy, I've budgeted (per person) 7€ for breakfast, 10€ for lunch and 20€ for dinner. Obviously, a bit of wiggle room here and there. Are lunches in Europe always 3 courses? I'm used to just one dish at lunch and 2 at dinner (at most).
Aug 25th, 2014, 06:13 AM
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<< Are lunches in Europe always 3 courses >>
You can have whatever you want. I usually get a salad since the French salads are great. They have all different kinds and many of them are meals; some too large to finish so I have to break the rule of finishing your plate! This photo is blurry but you get the idea. Who ever knew that a fried egg and fried potatoes on a salad would be so wonderful!!
https://modigliani.shutterfly.com/paris2007/113
French cafes offer sandwiches and omelets; light meals.
In Italy, many bars offer tartines, paninis, or pizza slices.
Please note: In France and Italy, the most expensive meals are sitting outside at a table. You'll pay a premium for outside dining but who can resist. Take away is cheaper than eating in.
Many people suggest eating a main meal at lunch but that doesn't work for me as I get too sluggish for afternoon sightseeing and I enjoy the evening meal when on vacation. I'd rather have a small salad or a bowl of soup at lunch, especially if I've had a protein breakfast.
You can have whatever you want. I usually get a salad since the French salads are great. They have all different kinds and many of them are meals; some too large to finish so I have to break the rule of finishing your plate! This photo is blurry but you get the idea. Who ever knew that a fried egg and fried potatoes on a salad would be so wonderful!!
https://modigliani.shutterfly.com/paris2007/113
French cafes offer sandwiches and omelets; light meals.
In Italy, many bars offer tartines, paninis, or pizza slices.
Please note: In France and Italy, the most expensive meals are sitting outside at a table. You'll pay a premium for outside dining but who can resist. Take away is cheaper than eating in.
Many people suggest eating a main meal at lunch but that doesn't work for me as I get too sluggish for afternoon sightseeing and I enjoy the evening meal when on vacation. I'd rather have a small salad or a bowl of soup at lunch, especially if I've had a protein breakfast.
Aug 25th, 2014, 06:15 AM
#16
"Are lunches in Europe always 3 courses? I'm used to just one dish at lunch and 2 at dinner (at most)."
You can eat as little as you like, however if you want your buck to go as far as possible then you do what the locals do. In the local bar/restaurant you will see a sign about a fixed price menu. There will be maybe only a couple of choices but it is what the local business men eat. They expect not the largest dish but three courses normally with coffee extra. These are 3 courses to allow for a little siesta period before the business day continues. Meals in the more southern countries you are visiting are more focused on lunch than supper during the business week.
In the colder UK it works out the other way around, with lunch being a single dish and evening meal being more complicated as they have no siesta.
But to answer your specific question as a Brit I'd eat as you do.
One of the pleasures of going abroad is that things are different there than staying at home.
You can eat as little as you like, however if you want your buck to go as far as possible then you do what the locals do. In the local bar/restaurant you will see a sign about a fixed price menu. There will be maybe only a couple of choices but it is what the local business men eat. They expect not the largest dish but three courses normally with coffee extra. These are 3 courses to allow for a little siesta period before the business day continues. Meals in the more southern countries you are visiting are more focused on lunch than supper during the business week.
In the colder UK it works out the other way around, with lunch being a single dish and evening meal being more complicated as they have no siesta.
But to answer your specific question as a Brit I'd eat as you do.
One of the pleasures of going abroad is that things are different there than staying at home.
Aug 25th, 2014, 06:16 AM
#17
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I think your budget is fine. As for the number of courses at lunch, that depends on the type of restaurant but generally speaking, one course is OK. No one's demanding you order two or three courses, unless you want to. Keep in mind, the portions tend to be smaller than in the US, so a pasta course, which might be enough for you in the US, might be a smaller in Italy and leave you wanting another course.
Aug 25th, 2014, 06:49 AM
#18
play it by ear -- sometimes a price fixe 2 course lunch or dinner will be cheaper than a single entree. Other times you'll just want cheese/bread/wine in a park and other times a creperie or take away sandwiches.
In general you $/£/€ will go much farther having your main sit down meal at lunch rather than at dinner. Sometimes in posh-ish restaurants, you can get a 2 course set lunch for not much more than what just a starter costs at dinner
In general you $/£/€ will go much farther having your main sit down meal at lunch rather than at dinner. Sometimes in posh-ish restaurants, you can get a 2 course set lunch for not much more than what just a starter costs at dinner
Aug 25th, 2014, 06:53 AM
#19
oh -- and a two course meal is sometimes which ever 2 courses you want. Starter + entree, entree + dessert, or even starter + dessert. Portions will be generally smaller so 2 courses won't be a huge meal. Some places will have 2 or 3 course specials listing all the same choices.
