dwzemens

For Ira:

Your comments and insight are terrific - and your 2003 Italy trip report is saved on my computer so that I might take advantage of many of the tips when we finally make our way to Florence someday.

My question, Ira, if you would be so kind: I notice that you stay in quite modest accomodations (B&B Peterson, for instance), yet you eat in very nice establishments, enjoying wine, etc. You are well traveled, and more than likely a man of more than average means. Would you care to share your theory on modest accomodations with the rest of us? I am intriqued by the likes of B&B Peterson, but am a bit hesitant because of it's location which is further from the train station and main attractions. I would really appreciate you elaborating on this establishment in particular. Thanks very much.

Dave

TexasAggie

I'm sure ira will respond personally when he sees your post, but I believe he has written that his philosophy is more of "sleep cheap, travel cheap, eat WELL"

As a hopeless non-foodie (though I am trying to branch out), I tend to spend a bit more on accomodations and do my eating on the cheap.

A common philosophy among Fodorites is to travel on some sort of budget as opposed to going 5-star on everything... there many reasons for this but my personal #1 reason is that budgeting in some form or fashion lets me go to Europe that much more often!

dwzemens

TexasAggie: I am all into budgeting, surely, for the reasons you mention. We travel to Europe far more than anyone in our "tax bracket" should, and I would like to find more ways to economize. We, too, have spent the bulk of our travel budget on accomodations. I would like to get away from that, and that is why I am intriqued by Ira's apparent approach to traveling.

I would appreciate any other suggestions from you or others on how to further economize as well!

ira

Hi dwz,

My Lady Wife and I believe in the philosophy stated by TA.

This doesn't mean that we always seek out the absolutely cheapest accomodations, but we find that we are more likely to remember a pleasant meal in a nice restaurant than a sumptuous hotel room.

It also shouldn't be construed that every place we stay is on our list of places to revisit.

Re the Peterson: We took a chance on this place, and were very happy we did.

As I noted in my report, the plumbing was new, the AC worked, the rooms were spotless and the Giolottis are lovely people.

What further questions do you have? I'll be happy to answer them.

>...any other suggestions from you or others on how to further economize as well!<

Live the way the locals do.

Soda pop can be very expensive outside the US, lettuce and tomatoes can be very expensive in the Carribean, splurge on lunch and eat light dinners (a rule that we don't follow), walk a lot, get an inside cabin on a cruise (you aren't going to be staring out windows at night), don't ever eat or drink anything from the minibar, if you are going to buy souveniers bring my mother and my sister (you will get the absolutely lowest possible price).

isabel

The idea that "budget" accomodations are in some way substandard is usually not true. I just returned from 19 days in Europe (Italy and Switzerland) and averaged $93 (that's USD, not Euros) per night for a double. All but one were ensuite, all but one included breakfast. They were all great, I would return to any of them again. All the ones in Italy had AC, many had terraces, most had fabulous views. The idea that you have to spend a lot to have comfortable accomodations is just not accurate. It takes a little research on the internet to find hotels and B&Bs that are good value but it is certainly very possible. Fodorite recommendations are extremely helpful. Two thirds of the places we stayed on this trip were recommended by people on this forum.

dwzemens

Isabel -

Come on, break loose with the details - please let us know where you stayed!

Dave

dwzemens

I guess my specific worry is not that budget accomodations are substandard, but that the relatively low price might encourage a couple of "fraternity boys" or others on a "drinking holiday" to take up residence in the room next to me. Anyone have thoughts on this issue?

Keep in mind, I happen to be the father of a couple "fraternity boys", so I am not living in a glass house and throwing stones!

ira

Hi dwz,

>..the relatively low price might encourage a couple of "fraternity boys" or others on a "drinking holiday" to take up residence in the room next to me.<

Hmmmm. Spent $200/nite on a motel in Savannah, GA. Two floors were taken up by a high school Senior Prom. They had to call the police to keep them from partying in the halls.

Spent $80/nite in a motel in Savannah - calm, quiet, pleasant.

Spent 150E/nite in a hotel in Amsterdam, crying baby in the next room.

Spent 80E/nite in a hotel in Amsterdam, except for low moans and creaking of bed springs in the two rooms next to us - very nice. (Turned out it was a hot pillow hotel.)

Moral: You can never predict what will happen.

When we were at the Peterson, everyone was very well behaved. Hardly knew we weren't the only folks there, although all of the rooms were taken every night.

Hope this helps.

dwzemens

>>Moral: You can never predict what will happen<<

But Ira, I want to "predict". I am a type A personality, I want ALL the details addressed ahead of time!

julia_t

I absolutely agree with ira's philosophy on travel.

Unfortunately his budget is still higher than mine, which is why I went to Hotel Monge, and it was at the very top end of my budget! Yes, I know you have booked to stay there! It is I am sure perfectly adequate for your requirements.

With regard to excellent dining, may I recommend (seconded by many on this forum) le Petit Prince de Paris for dinner one night? It is around 5 minutes walk from the hotel, and offers wonderful food and good service with lots of atmosphere, at a very reasonable cost. We went there on Bastille night, and the bill for 4 of us, with half litre of wine and soft drinks, was 135 euros. And for all of us, that meal was much more memorable than the hotel rooms, - hell, I can hardly remember if there was a balcony or not! (There was, but it had tubs of geraniums on it so you couldn't stand there.)

BTW I was intrigued by your convent accommodation in Rome - how much was that per night?

dwzemens

There was nothing "budget" about the convent Casa Santa Brigida in Rome. As I recall, the cost was 180 - but I cannot remember if that was euro or USD.

However, the location it was in is terrific.

Eloise

Juliat:

The Casa Santa Brigida is the Ritz of the Roman convents. There are cheaper ones that are still in terrific locations.

Fraterna Domus is within a stone's throw of Piazza Navona. A single with private bath is 48 Euro, spartan but spotless. Disadvantage: no elevator. Air conditioning is available but costs extra. I've stayed there twice and plan to return.

Istituto Santa Giuliana Falconieri is on a small street off Corso Vittorio Emanuele, about as far in the other direction from Campo de Fiori as Casa Santa Brigida. A single is around 45 Euro, as I recall; I'm not sure about air conditioning. Disadvantage: bathrooms shared among three or four rooms. I haven't stayed there but at least one poster here was very satisfied.

dwzemens

Eloise-

I was interested in the Fraterna Domus, but did not know air conditioning could be obtained. Do you recall the extra cost for it?

Eloise

Dave:

I've always stayed there in May and never needed it, but I think I recall seeing that it was 11 Euro a day.

SusanP

Unless you have an unlimited budget, I think we all have to decide which parts of the vacation are more imporant to us. I agree that I'd rather get an inexpensive hotel and leave more money for nice meals and shopping. That's not to say I don't enjoy a luxurious hotel with a fantastic view, but it's just not usually in the budget and the meals win out!