My husband and I are planning our first trip to Italy in Sept. We are in our late 20's and need to stay within a budget of $4000. We would like to join a tour to make the most of our time and money. Any recomendations?

You would probably make the most of your time and money if you travelled independently.

Check out air fares. Study several guidebooks to get an idea of hotel rates. Factor in dining costs (which can be as cheap as home if you make an effort), museum charges (per guidebooks), transportation, etc. Then, based on these expenses, decide how many days/cities you can afford and compare to a published guided tour.

$4,000 is a fairly nice budget unless you were thinking of a 3-week, luxury hotel, first-class-only trip. If you're using frequent flyer miles, it's a very nice budget.

How long do you plan to go for? You could combine a tour and also travel on your own for a few days. Look at some of the tour companies and compare what they offer. Jean is right that it might be more reasonable to go on your own. You see alot on a tour, but you are also scheduled and don't have much time on your own to just look around and enjoy.

I wouldn't recomm. a tour - I've been on both a tour and have traveled independently in Italy and I think going independently is the way to go. Pick a general area that you would like to see, rent a car (it's very easy to drive in Italy) map out an itinerary and just go.
Use this web site to get hotel names, city tours, restaurants and things to do.
When you go by yourself you get to go when you want to and stay when you want to - plus it is such a challenge to go to a foreign speaking country and get along just fine. You will LOVE Italy!!

I prefer to travel on my own, but American Express has independent tours that are priced very well. My daughter went on one. The cost includes airfare and you can upgrade your accommodations, which she did. The independent tour includes airfare, train tickets, and one sight-seeing excursion in each city, otherwise, you are on your own. For a first trip, this is a good way to go. You might also check airline promotional packages. I wouldn't do any trip that offers transit by bus.

A two hour walking tour is the best way to go for an introduction to the city, but after the first two days the landmarks will be your guide and Rome is a great city for walking so I wouldn't spend too much money on tours.

Yucky tours! You don't say how long you're going but beginning the 3rd week of Sept, you're already going to get discounts because you will have past the high season. 4K is a sweet chunk of change. Why give it to the tour operators? You have all the info and more that you need right here.

I think it's sad to watch people pour in and out of busses, following around a guide with an umbrella high in the air. What if you want to pop into that leather shop? Oh you can't the bus is leaving. What if you love the view from Michelangelos Piazza and want to grab a beer and soak it all in? Too bad! there goes the lady with the umbrella! You can get a tour once you get to a city if you want. I remember renting cassettes at a museum or two in order to do my own self guided tour. I can go at my own pace, get the info I want on a particular subject, or not. Freedom is a beautiful thing. And your budget gives you LOTS of freedom!

Another vote for independent travel and avoiding tours. Our first trip to Italy was on an American Express tour. Never again! The only benefit of our experience was that we covered a lot of territory and therefore saw Italy from Rome to the Italian Riveria but we never had a chance to really experience the country. Last year we went back to Italy on our own, spent half as much and had a much more enjoyable trip. For our trip last summer and the summer before to France, we used this web site to plan our trips and everything worked well thanks to everyone who participates on the site. Planning is half the fun, go for it!

We are going to Florence and Venice this summer and are using the same approximate budget (less airfare).

After much research we figured that Florence and Venice would make a great city pair for a 7-10 day trip, flying into Florence, train to Venice, flying out of Venice. We've also rented apartments in both cities in order to save some money.

Just another idea for ya. Good luck with your planning!

Start at slowtrav.com and look under Italy for the planning section. Tons of good tips to help you plan well.

My husband and I were in our late 20s in September of 2001 and made our first trip to Italy for around $4000. Sounds like your situation exactly! One big caveat is we used flyer miles to get there so we had no airfare, but I think there are plenty of deals right now so you should be able to find an economic flight.

Basically we made a budget beforehand including any details we could think of (meals, souvenirs, transportation, tips, etc.), and we stuck to it. We logged our expenses every day so we knew where we were over or under. We researched hotels beforehand to find nice ones in central locations (for walking), but reasonably priced. It's easy to eat cheaply in Italy, but the food is still wonderful. Our first night there we has salad, entrees, bread and wine all for $14 USD total!

We started in Rome, then drove to Positano, then drove to Florence. We did fly to Paris after that, but you could substitute a different Italian desitnation and still have the same timeframe and budget - we stayed nearly two weeks. We stayed three nights in each place. I HIGHLY recommend Rome and Positano (or prob. anywhere along the Amalfi coast - there are many discussions if you search). I though Florence was OK, but many will tell you it was their favorite so to each his own.

Let me know if you have any other questions. Enjoy!!

Chrissy4-where did you stay and how did you get around? Can you remmeber any Hotel names? Email me [email protected]

I was in Italy July/Aug. of 2001 and what we budgeted then would not allow us to make a similar trip today. That seems due primarily to two things: the way prices in Italy went up when the Euro came in & the Lire went out; and, the devaluation of the dollar. So, take that into account when you read about the experiences of others and make certain you get up to date prices as you make your budget. Then, put a little more in for safety! You'll still have enough for a great time. And, if you are honest with yourselves with budgeting and stick to it once you have one, travelling independently probably is the cheaper option and allows YOU to decide where to economize. Enjoy!