My boyfriend and I are traveling to Italy this Spring from March 19-28. It is his first time out of the U.S. and we are grad students on a tight budget but would love to include Rome, Florence, and one other place. Any itinerary suggestions/good hotel buys would be appreciated!

A couple of suggestions, since I have not traveled on a grad student, shoestring budget for decades now - -

1. The Thorn Tree forum(s) of www.lonelyplanet.com is probably just as useful (if not more so) for this kind of budget, youth-oriented Europe travel questions and answers.

2. www.eurocheapo.com seems to be a reliable source of lodging info that might match your budget, yet not be at the bottom of the quality barrel.

3. Though not cheap, Venice is the one other obvious destination choice that ought to be made - - especially for any two people that call each other boyfriend or girlfriend!

Best wishes,

Rex

Rex is correct, it would be a mistake to leave out Venice.

If necessary,

Reduce your total time. Leave out Rome. But do see Venice.

Please don't miss Venice. Even if you have to cut short your stay in Rome or Florence, it will be worth it if the goal is Venice.