travel62580000

My fiancé and I have decided to go to Italy for our honeymoon.
We arrive Venice November 5, 2012 and leave from Venice on November 23, this gives us 18 days.

Places we would like to visit are: Venice, Sicily, Proida, Siena, Florence and Tuscany. We don't want to be rushed. So would like some suggestions picking from the above. And if there are places with absolutely stunning views that we've missed.


We are traveling on a budget. I have read quite a few threads, after reading this one, it got me a bit worried.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-requested.cfm
And this was from 2 years ago..
How realistic is Euro 200 a day budget for 2, Excluding airfares and long distance transportation, train or bus.
I have checked the budget airlines, the prices are reasonable, and I will book any flights prior to the trip. Therefore will not be in my budget. Venice to Rome. Rome to Sicily return or other suggestions where we can go by air.

Is this a realistic budget for two on a low season?
If not how much shall we budget for? If we want to stay in private clean rooms and not hostels.

Thank you so much!!!

yorkshire

I think you can budget at least half that amount for lodging. I have always stayed in smaller towns and paid around 100 euros per night for a double room.
To me, it goes without saying that one of the best parts of visiting Italy is enjoying the food, and I am not sure that about 100 euros per day is going to adequately feed two people. If you rent an apartment (requiring that you stay in fewer places but longer), then you can save money by purchasing groceries.
The easiest way to reduce costs is to move around less. That has the bonus of giving you more quality time in fewer places.
I think that 18 days is not enough time for the places you listed anyway, if you go with an average of three nights per place, which is a good rule of thumb. Remember you have to add in travel time.
So, to sum up, I think you and your fiance should prioritize which places you want to visit the most and reduce your wish list. Congratulations and have a great trip!
One last thing, more seasoned Italy travelers can probably tell you which places to eliminate based on time of year--and you probably need to be booking very quickly for accommodations if you really meant next month!

jamikins

I agree with the above.

Sicily doesnt really fit with your northern Italy itinerary so I would drop that. Florence and Siena are IN Tuscany. In 18 days you would be able to do Venice, Florence, and somewhere in rural Tuscany. You may also want to add a day or two in Bologna which is on the train line from Florence to Venice.

I dont even know where Proida is?

As for budget, if you really mean this Nov you have to book your accomodations NOW. Venice is tough on a budget, check out this B&B http://www.aitagliapietra.com/ their rooms go for 100 euros a night. You may also want to rent a car and stay in an agritourismo in Tuscany, the countryside really requires a car to see it well.

Your budget may dictate buying sandwiches and pizza instead of bistro food so depends on what your expectations are.

Happy travels!

travel62580000

Thanks so much for the prompt replies. Thanks for the wishes Yorkshire.

My apologies. Procida I meant. But I've been told by a Italian friend that he had never heard of it too. It's one of the islands of Naples close to Capri. Found it online. Hoping someone can tell us if it is worth going.

The reason why we picked Naples and Sicily is because although it's November, we would still like to get some sun and see the ocean, even if we can't be in the water. So, actually we would spend more time in the southern Italy. Maybe just 1 night in Venice then ( cos it's so expensive)
We would love to stay in the country side. Jamikins can you suggest a place in rural Tuscany please?

Thank you both !!


It would be great if we could enjoy the great local food. We could bump up our budget to Euro300 a day for the two of us. Obviously it's better than 200 but would you say that's reasonable for Sicily or other suggestions of small villages by the sea?
If we do bump our budget up. We'd have to cut our trip short after Italy...

yorkshire

you're quite welcome. My last tip would be to research the weather a bit more. A website like wunderground can tell you what's typical.
The hard part about Italy is really a plus--anywhere you go will be nice, it's just the deciding that is difficult!

greg

First think about what would make this trip special. I think the key is to identify what they are to you and make sure you spend resources to attain them. Once you have done that, everything else should be a "fluff" for which you can go cheap and should not matter.

Your moving around a lot impacts your budget in a major way. Are the destinations you identified really essential? Budget airlines require in depth estimate if you have not taken such flights before. The actual prices you pay may be several times the initial face value. You do not want to lock yourself into an itinerary where you have to use budget flights where you end up paying as much as legacy carriers due to added fees. Train cost varies depending on types of trains you take and how much you care to lock in the schedule. If the speed of trip does not matter, you can take slower IC trains over highspeed trains for major savings. Booking non-refundable discount fares make sense if your schedule is solid. It backfires if your plan changes.

Venice is a challenge for low cost accommodations. Your flight arrangement: in Venice, out Venice, worsens this situation if you stay there twice. To avoid this, upon landing in Venice, travel immediately to Florence, etc, so you only have to stay in Venice once.

For me, Italian foods and wines are heavenly. That is one of the reasons why I would endure hours of cattle class flights and go through TSA strip and grope hassles. I can't imagine scrimping in this area. Another enduring memories of my trip to Italy are staying at small inns where I get to talk to the owners.

jamikins

Hi there

There are so many places in Tuscany and Tuscany is quite large. You may want to go to www.slowtrav.com to look at their excellent info on renting a villa in Tuscany.

To get you started, we are planning to stay here over 2013/2014 NYE week (I know, I plan way in advance ha) http://www.santantonio.it/

If you are mostly interested in southern Italy I would change my flights. 1 night in Venice doesnt really do it justice, and if you have jetlag or a bad weather day you may not get the experience you want. I would slow down and enjoy the places you are going to visit so would recommend at least 3 nights in Venice to give you two full days.

As for weather - I dont think anywhere in Italy will be beach weather in Nov. Places like Procida may be resorty which means they may be closed up for the winter by then. Seashore type places in Italy are not at their best and are mostly quiet if not closed in Nov.

Naples is known for being quite gritty as well so just make sure you understand what to expect.

Hope this helps!

jamikins

That meant to say - if you want to focus on Southern Italy then change your flights to be in and out of Sicily or Naples. It doesnt make a lot of sense to spend the money getting to and from Venice for 1 night. Plus it wastes alot of your time.

Keep in mind it takes at least 1/2 day to change locations by the time you pack, check out, get to the airport or train station, wait for planes/trains, travel and then repeat on the other side.

kybourbon

Since you already have flights, plan your Venice stay at the end of your trip.

I would drop Sicily (too far and adds expense) as it deserves a week or more to visit.

The more you move around, whether by train/plane, the more expensive and more time you lose.

If you do rent a car for Tuscany, these apartments in Pienza are very economical and Pienza is easy to drive in-and-out for day trips. The smallest apartment is 45-50€ per night. I would get one a bit bigger (about 65€).
http://www.ilgiardinosegretopienza.it/

In Florence, I've used these apartments, but it's about a 15 minute walk from the train station (bus service is available).
http://www.residenzailcarmine.com/

nytraveler

In November there is no guarantee of sun anywhere. And it's off season for the Amalfi coast - so many hotels and restaurants are closed. Plus - what fun is a beach in the rain?

I would stick with fewer places - since you lose time and money every time you move.

I can't comment on your 200 euros per day since we are not budget travelers. I will say we try to do one special dinner in each city - and allow 250 to 300 euros for a couple for that dinner.

travel62580000

Thanks SO much for everyone's input. I am flying in from Asia. So it's either Rome or Venice. Wears skipping Rome this time and we just Have to see Venice. We will really to budget well staying in Venice!!

Greg. Can you please elaborate on budget airlines? I found some that are really cheap. Around euro 30-40 one way. Under what circumstances would I end up paying several times more!!?
Thinking about flying from Venice to Sicily on Easyjet what do we need to look out for?

We understand the weather will not be great. We will give it a shot still.

Renting a car in Tuscany seems like the way to go!!

kybourbon

>>>So it's either Rome or Venice.<<<

Book your flight into Venice and home from Rome.

>>>Thinking about flying from Venice to Sicily on Easyjet <<<

I don't see flights on Easy Jet from Venice to Sicily.

>>>I found some that are really cheap. Around euro 30-40 one way.<<<

Luggage fees and weights for checked luggage and carryons are very strict.

jamikins

Apparently http://www.volotea.com/en fly Venice to Palermo or Catania - but I have never heard of them.

travel62580000

It's Milan not Venice !!! Hummmm... What was I thinking!!?! Sorry.

Which is a better airport to fly to? Palermo or Catania?

I just checked the baggage allowed e on Easyjet. Wow. It's really strict!! Thanks so much for the advice.

jamikins

Palermo or Catania - depends which side of Sicily you want to see. I think you should do sone more research about what you actually want to see

bilboburgler

Venice

Options are to stay in a B&B in Venice itself. Even then prices will be around euro 100 for the night. or

Stay in Mestre (the Venice mainland town) and come in on the bus or train. Rooms are cheaper in Mestre

Trains if price is a real issue and time less of one take Regionale trains rather than intercity (takes about 2 to 3 times as long)

Eat your main meal at noon and during the week eat the "meal of the day" with the workmen and the office staff which will save you a fair bit. If you need help at spotting these places then look for builders at 12:00 or ask in bars at about 11:45. Fixed 2 or 3 course meal with wine at about 12 to 15 Euro. Similar in the evening will be closer to 25 Euro. This does not work at the weekend

Don't eat of drink on the main drag of cities but go back one or two streets

WillTravel

If you prepurchase your Trenitalia tickets, you can often get a deal that is better than flying on a budget airline. There is an express 5-hour (or so) train between Venice and Rome. But even regular train prices between Venice to Florence to Rome are not bad. (This is how it used to be - please pipe up, everyone, if things have changed in the past while.)

In November, you can often get excellent deals in Venice. I really liked La Forcola hotel. Use Kayak to find the cheapest site to book it (or a comparable hotel). Just don't expect lots of space and luxury.

kawh

we budget just about that for our trips to italy-- you just need to do your research to find those bargain places that are in great locations.

for venice, we really liked the hotel galleria. it's right on the canal (a blessing and a curse-- the canal is like their highway!) and a vaperetto stops right in front. (handy). i notice at their website that the picture shown is the view from the rooms on the canal-- not of the hotel. it's a stunning view. i see prices for doubles from 90 to 145 in november... but i know they really book up so i would make a decision soon. also note that probably the least expensive rooms have a bathroom or shower across the hall!

LSky

You're young, you're on your honeymoon and you can do it on a budget. You may find yourselves eating a couple of meals from the market or like bilboburgler suggests eating lunches off the main drag and going into simple places. They'll be much more fun anyway.


Stay in places like Venice during the week and plan on doing some walking. Bring earplugs. Lower your expectations but not your standards when picking hotel rooms. For instance; if 2 people say the hotel had a bad smell, don't stay there. If 8 people didn't like stains on the carpet but it was clean, you'll live. A cranky desk clerk can mean you'll save money so be nice to the grump.

jim21

Already booked your flights in an out of Venice and want to stay on a €200/day budget? Yes, it is doable. We travel Italy extensively and budget €120/day not counting intercity travel and lodging.

If I were you I would not stay in Venice upon arrival but instead head for another city such as Verona which is 1 hour by Eurostar or 2 hours by regional train.

You can then work your way through Tuscany, and/or Umbria, down to Rome. From Rome take a Eurostar back to Venice (less than 4 hours) for your final 2 or 3 nights before flying home.

I searched some hotels for your that will give you and idea of your costs. We have stayed in all of these places. They are basic but very nice with in room bathrooms and breakfast.
The prices are for a double room during the dates you will be in Italy.

B&B al Teatro, Verona...€75
Hotel Bretagna, Florence...€77
Hotel Alma Domus, Siena....€65
Hotel Grotta Antica, Assisi...€55
Hotel Corso, Orvieto...€85
Hotel Italia, Rome...€75
Hotel Guerrato, Venice...€100 (after Nov 19)

I did not check availability but none indicated that they were booked up.

Eat a hearty breakfast, stop by an alimentari and pick up food for a picnic lunch then have a great dinner at a nice little restaurant. All easily affordable for €120/day.

Listen to the advice above about southern Italy and Sicily. I lived in southern Italy for two years and I can tell you that it get rather bleak beginning in November. Things of interest to tourist run short, erratic hours if they are open at all. Remain between Venice and Rome and you will do fine.