Beating the Euro in Italy
May 4th, 2008, 06:40 AM
#101
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Forgot to add, before arriving in Rome check out Roma c'e online. It is free to search out events. In Rome you can buy the weekly guide for 1.50Euro.
http://www.romace.it/
Under the English Section you can download the "This Week in Rome". It is has interesting info.
http://www.romace.it/
Under the English Section you can download the "This Week in Rome". It is has interesting info.
May 4th, 2008, 07:23 AM
#102
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The best way to save money in Rome and Florence, particularly Rome, is to rent an apartment if you are going to be there a week; you can really get excellent value for Euro paid that way, and particularly if you rent from an owner on the vrbo.com website-there are some great bargains on weekly rates (the longer you stay, the more willing the owner is to discount days over a week), that often break down to a one bedroom apartment for less than US 70.00 a night, fully equipped with washing machine, that can sleep 4 people or more. And DO NOT be afraid to ask for a "sconto"-on anything! It never hurts to ask, just think of some reason why you SHOULD get a sconto, and try it! I do this with apartment owners all the time-we're staying 8 days, can we get the 8th day free? I'm a solo traveler, how much of a "sconto" can I get? Invariably, I've been able to get at least $100, sometimes more, off a weekly rental because there is only one person, but it should be said that I ask for these "scontos" in the LOW season-and that's another way to save a LOT by way of both apartment rentals and hotel rooms, go to Rome, Florence and other major cities in Italy, like Venice, in the LOW season, where hotel rates are halved-this would include the month of August, which is an excellent month to travel in Italy. In the past few years, I've gone to Rome, Florence, Tuscany in August and not only has the weather been delightful, but I've had my pick of great hotel rooms, as well as having gotten better deals on apartments, and have been able to stay in 4 star hotels for the rate of a 2 star in high season. The 4 and 5 star hotels in Rome and Florence actually do lower their rates by over 50% during August in some cases, so I highly recommend going then because you can really stretch the Euros further and stay in a nice property that you might not be able to afford if you went in high season.
Another way to save money on both hotel rooms and apartments in Rome particularly is to stay in areas OTHER THAN Campo the most heavily touristed areas, i.e., Campo dei Fiori, Pantheon and the Navona area-where hotel rates and apartment rentals will be the highest. I think one of the best values in Rome is the area of Esquilino, right around Santa Maria Maggiore-it's close to many of the major sights: the Spanish Steps, Trevi, obviously the Colosseo, and Fori Imperiali, all of which you can reach by foot, yet it's a very authentic Roman neighborhood, one of the most ancient in Rome, with great local restaurants, and little known ancient landmarks that make it interesting to walk around at night. Sitting outside the cafe just across from SMM, admiring its beautiful frescos on the front of the basilica, which are lit up at night, while having a drink or a gelato is a mighty fine evening in Rome. It's a very quiet area as well at night. This is also true of the area right around the Colosseum as well, where you can sit in an outdoor cafe and look at the stunning splendor of ancient Rome lit up at night. Both areas are very close to Termini, but not right next to it-you can walk to Termini Station from these areas in two to five minutes, in order to get on a train to take a great inexpensive day trip to Ostia Antica, the alternative to Pompeii, or to see the beautiful gardens at Tivoli,(Villa d'Este) and Hadrian's Villa. To take the train to get to Ostia Antica is very quick-around a 30 minute trip from Rome, and by doing it yourself, as opposed to using one of the over-priced day trip tour operators, you can save many many Euros.
But I think one of the best values in Rome in terms of covering a lot of sights without a lot of wear and tear on the body, without spending a lot of time and money getting frustrated as to how to get from one sight to another in Rome, or to avoid spending a lot of Euros on an expensive tour is to take one of their three great hop/on sightseeing buses, all 3 of which can be picked up at their starting point-out in front of Termini station. The three sightseeing buses, the red 110 "city tour" double-decker, with stops at all the major sights, Spanish Steps, Pantheon, Colosseum, Bocca della Verita, Trajan Market, Circus Massimus-with commentary, or without-your choice, 10 stops, beginning and ending at Termini, all for 16 Euro, the yellow "Cristiana" bus that goes on a route to many of the major basilicas and churches of Rome, while at the same time, pointing out the other major sights co-located nearby, (I like the yellow Cristiana bus tour the most) which only costs 13 Euro, and then there is the "Archeobus" which takes you out to the Appian Way, to the catacombs of San Callisto and San Sebastiano, the baths of Caracalla and the Roman Aqueducts to see parts of underground Rome and the archeological areas. These 3 double-decker hop on/off sightseeing buses, to my mind represent the absolute best value for sightseeing Rome, if you want to see as much of Rome as possible without spending a lot of money on expensive day tours where you can't really control the itinerary. The bus tickets are valid for a 24 hour period from the time you get it stamped while getting on the bus, so it can be used for two days, if times right. These tour buses are also great for those people who have disabilities or who are otherwise physically challenged, to see all of the sights of Rome without having to get out and walk it, or for those who are just plain lazy and would rather ride around in a bus and look at the sights because they simply don't like or want to walk! And on a beautiful day in Rome, there is nothing quite like being on the top of one of these double-decker buses, looking out at all the glories of Rome-you can see ancient doors, pediments, and fountains that you would never notice or see by being ground-level; it's really fascinating. I think Rome is at its most glorious when it IS viewed from on high, so I recommend these buses both for their great value, but also as a hassle-free and very enjoyable way to get around Rome and see the major sights, both above and below ground. During holiday periods, you'll see just as many Italian tourists on those buses as you will tourists from other countries, as Italians come to Rome in droves during August, and they too are looking for great values to see the sights!
Another way to save money on both hotel rooms and apartments in Rome particularly is to stay in areas OTHER THAN Campo the most heavily touristed areas, i.e., Campo dei Fiori, Pantheon and the Navona area-where hotel rates and apartment rentals will be the highest. I think one of the best values in Rome is the area of Esquilino, right around Santa Maria Maggiore-it's close to many of the major sights: the Spanish Steps, Trevi, obviously the Colosseo, and Fori Imperiali, all of which you can reach by foot, yet it's a very authentic Roman neighborhood, one of the most ancient in Rome, with great local restaurants, and little known ancient landmarks that make it interesting to walk around at night. Sitting outside the cafe just across from SMM, admiring its beautiful frescos on the front of the basilica, which are lit up at night, while having a drink or a gelato is a mighty fine evening in Rome. It's a very quiet area as well at night. This is also true of the area right around the Colosseum as well, where you can sit in an outdoor cafe and look at the stunning splendor of ancient Rome lit up at night. Both areas are very close to Termini, but not right next to it-you can walk to Termini Station from these areas in two to five minutes, in order to get on a train to take a great inexpensive day trip to Ostia Antica, the alternative to Pompeii, or to see the beautiful gardens at Tivoli,(Villa d'Este) and Hadrian's Villa. To take the train to get to Ostia Antica is very quick-around a 30 minute trip from Rome, and by doing it yourself, as opposed to using one of the over-priced day trip tour operators, you can save many many Euros.
But I think one of the best values in Rome in terms of covering a lot of sights without a lot of wear and tear on the body, without spending a lot of time and money getting frustrated as to how to get from one sight to another in Rome, or to avoid spending a lot of Euros on an expensive tour is to take one of their three great hop/on sightseeing buses, all 3 of which can be picked up at their starting point-out in front of Termini station. The three sightseeing buses, the red 110 "city tour" double-decker, with stops at all the major sights, Spanish Steps, Pantheon, Colosseum, Bocca della Verita, Trajan Market, Circus Massimus-with commentary, or without-your choice, 10 stops, beginning and ending at Termini, all for 16 Euro, the yellow "Cristiana" bus that goes on a route to many of the major basilicas and churches of Rome, while at the same time, pointing out the other major sights co-located nearby, (I like the yellow Cristiana bus tour the most) which only costs 13 Euro, and then there is the "Archeobus" which takes you out to the Appian Way, to the catacombs of San Callisto and San Sebastiano, the baths of Caracalla and the Roman Aqueducts to see parts of underground Rome and the archeological areas. These 3 double-decker hop on/off sightseeing buses, to my mind represent the absolute best value for sightseeing Rome, if you want to see as much of Rome as possible without spending a lot of money on expensive day tours where you can't really control the itinerary. The bus tickets are valid for a 24 hour period from the time you get it stamped while getting on the bus, so it can be used for two days, if times right. These tour buses are also great for those people who have disabilities or who are otherwise physically challenged, to see all of the sights of Rome without having to get out and walk it, or for those who are just plain lazy and would rather ride around in a bus and look at the sights because they simply don't like or want to walk! And on a beautiful day in Rome, there is nothing quite like being on the top of one of these double-decker buses, looking out at all the glories of Rome-you can see ancient doors, pediments, and fountains that you would never notice or see by being ground-level; it's really fascinating. I think Rome is at its most glorious when it IS viewed from on high, so I recommend these buses both for their great value, but also as a hassle-free and very enjoyable way to get around Rome and see the major sights, both above and below ground. During holiday periods, you'll see just as many Italian tourists on those buses as you will tourists from other countries, as Italians come to Rome in droves during August, and they too are looking for great values to see the sights!
May 22nd, 2008, 07:22 AM
#103
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A lot of B&B in Rom, but not all are good. Perhaps http://www.romanholidays.org ....
Jun 7th, 2008, 05:46 AM
#106
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Just read Viajero2's comment that the sound-guides.com no longer works. That's too bad!
Two other sources I've used are:
http://www.iaudioguide.com/
http://www.italyguides.it/us/italy_travel.htm
These look to be working and are still free.
Monica
Two other sources I've used are:
http://www.iaudioguide.com/
http://www.italyguides.it/us/italy_travel.htm
These look to be working and are still free.
Monica
Jun 10th, 2008, 05:23 AM
#108
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Jul 5th, 2008, 03:02 PM
#110
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With out a doubt the Roma pass will save you money in the eternal city. Not only do you get unlimited transportation in Rome for 3 days you also get into two sites free and then a nice discount from there on out. All for 20 Euro. Couple this with staying out side the city a bit at Camping Tiber village for about 10-15 Euro a night (the Roma pass covers all the trains to and from the campground) and your saving bundles.
Another way to cut costs is to leave out the old fashioned guided/ group tours or paying for each member of your group to rent a audio tour. You can find downloadable audio tours for most major cities on line for a fraction of the cost. Split the 5-10 USD dollar charge and put the file on every member of your travel party's ipod.
noambit has just produced a good tour of Florence and more are coming
http://noambit.typepad.com/my_weblog...our-essen.html
And more can be found at sites like walk-talki.com and audiosteps.com
Another way to cut costs is to leave out the old fashioned guided/ group tours or paying for each member of your group to rent a audio tour. You can find downloadable audio tours for most major cities on line for a fraction of the cost. Split the 5-10 USD dollar charge and put the file on every member of your travel party's ipod.
noambit has just produced a good tour of Florence and more are coming
http://noambit.typepad.com/my_weblog...our-essen.html
And more can be found at sites like walk-talki.com and audiosteps.com
Jul 15th, 2008, 07:06 AM
#111
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For Rome use please this site:
http://rome.hotelexperience.it/
Cheap and luxury Hotels, on line booking reservation fast and sure!
Hey!
http://rome.hotelexperience.it/
Cheap and luxury Hotels, on line booking reservation fast and sure!
Hey!
Jul 15th, 2008, 07:25 AM
#113
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If you will be in Venice for more than a day, buy a good map of the city, buy a pass for unlimited travel on the boats that ply the canals, and buy a Chorus Pass. The Chorus Pass, which cost 9 Euros in 2008, will admit you to sixteen churches for which single admission is 3 Euros each, and it will provide you with interesting destinations in most of the fascinating neighborhoods of Venice.
Jul 15th, 2008, 08:16 AM
#114
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The easy solution to spending less on a trip to anywhere in Europe is to go off season, but sometimes that isn't possible. The first thing I do is book everything I can in US dollars in advance. Secondly, I do a lot of research and planning. I also utilize the internet, books (public libraries are great and free!), and advice from friends and discussion boards to research good budget hotels and how to get discounts (like the Amica fare on trains within Italy which gives you 20% off the standard rate). I do a lot of planning so that by the time my vacation starts, I'm not fumbling trying to figure out when to go where - I know when museums have discount rates, where the neighborhoods with less expensive (but still good, authentic food) cafes and restaurants are, etc. Don't hesitate to book accommodations a little out of the tourist center - if you're off the beaten path a bit, there are usually are great stores and restaurants frequented by more locals than tourists in the area, plus you'll have a great walk discovering the less-traveled streets of the city on your way to those Churches and museums (just make sure it's a safe are and not TOO far away - or at least accessible by public transportation late at night). I use websites for hostal bookings - but book a private room (sometimes with its own bathroom, sometimes with a shared bathroom) in a place that has been positively reviewed. Finding a place that includes breakfast is great - grab something like an apple at breakfast for a snack later that day.
One last tip that some people may not be aware of - different credit cards and banks charge different rates for foreign transactions (credit card charge or withdrawing cash at an ATM). Research this before you go! For example, I recently purchased 2 tickets to see The Last Supper in Milan with my Bank of America Visa card. The tickets are 16euros each, so 32 euros total which at an exchange rate of about 1.57 they charged me a total of US$50.25. Then a second charge showed up on my statement - a "Foreign Transaction Fee" of $1.50 - a 3% charge. This could really add up if I made big purchases with this card, or used it constantly throughout my trip. Bank of America also charges a $5 flat fee for foreign ATM withdraws, plus 1%. My American Express card increased the exchange rate by a few percent when I made a foreign pruchase - so my purchase was exchanged at a rate of 1.61euros/dollar (so 92.05 euros = US$148.71). Again, not ideal.
The moral of the story - bring cash/travelers checks, and get a Capital One card. Capital One uses wholesale rates to calculate foreign charges and imposes no surcharge. (Note: I just applied for this card and have yet to use it for a foreign purchase, but this is coming from lots of research. The card has no annual fee.)
Otherwise, don't worry too much - especially once you get there - afterall, you are on vacation - in Europe!
One last tip that some people may not be aware of - different credit cards and banks charge different rates for foreign transactions (credit card charge or withdrawing cash at an ATM). Research this before you go! For example, I recently purchased 2 tickets to see The Last Supper in Milan with my Bank of America Visa card. The tickets are 16euros each, so 32 euros total which at an exchange rate of about 1.57 they charged me a total of US$50.25. Then a second charge showed up on my statement - a "Foreign Transaction Fee" of $1.50 - a 3% charge. This could really add up if I made big purchases with this card, or used it constantly throughout my trip. Bank of America also charges a $5 flat fee for foreign ATM withdraws, plus 1%. My American Express card increased the exchange rate by a few percent when I made a foreign pruchase - so my purchase was exchanged at a rate of 1.61euros/dollar (so 92.05 euros = US$148.71). Again, not ideal.
The moral of the story - bring cash/travelers checks, and get a Capital One card. Capital One uses wholesale rates to calculate foreign charges and imposes no surcharge. (Note: I just applied for this card and have yet to use it for a foreign purchase, but this is coming from lots of research. The card has no annual fee.)
Otherwise, don't worry too much - especially once you get there - afterall, you are on vacation - in Europe!
Jun 13th, 2009, 06:40 PM
#116
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Hi
Why not visit the incredible ruins of Ostia Antica? Entrance fee is E6.50 for each adult. For this fee you can exit and return as many times as you wish during the day. A cheap metro ticket will get you there. And there is even a free online guide here - http://www.ostia-antica.org/touristguide.pdf. All this for around E10 a day per person. What a bargain $-)
Why not visit the incredible ruins of Ostia Antica? Entrance fee is E6.50 for each adult. For this fee you can exit and return as many times as you wish during the day. A cheap metro ticket will get you there. And there is even a free online guide here - http://www.ostia-antica.org/touristguide.pdf. All this for around E10 a day per person. What a bargain $-)
Jun 14th, 2009, 04:11 AM
#117
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Hello, you could consider using Hotwire or Priceline for your hotel stay. I got a 2 1/2 star hotel in Florence for $53 which really helped stretch the budget. It was perfectly fine and in a very convenient location. I had paid in dollars so had no increase as the $ dropped. I have been researching another Hotwire hotel buy for my November trip. Check on betterbidding or bidding for travel to see what hotels have been coming up. Hotwire now shows the tripadvisor rating for the hotel such as 4 out of 5, how many reviews and the date of the last review BEFORE you chose which gives you a lot more to work with.
Also booked prem ticket round trip Paris-Florence night train, 4 berth, for 70 euros
each way. Booked on scnf website directly.
Also booked prem ticket round trip Paris-Florence night train, 4 berth, for 70 euros
each way. Booked on scnf website directly.
Jun 23rd, 2009, 05:10 AM
#119
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If you do a little investigation of local train routes, you can often find a B&B or pension in a small town outside the larger cities which will be significantly less expensive than the same room in the city. You'll be able to experience life outside Rome, Venice or Florence in the evenings with less expensive food as well. Take the first train in the morning into the city,if you wish, just make certain you know when the last train leaves heading back.
I love the big cities for what they can offer, but the small villages and towns are much more laid back and less expensive.
I love the big cities for what they can offer, but the small villages and towns are much more laid back and less expensive.
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JenniferW
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May 27th, 2003 07:27 AM
