I have been scouring all the travel sites and I cannot seem to find anything under $200.00. It is making us consider spending less time in Rome. Is it cheaper in the countryside? Our plan was to do France and Italy. Would it be cheaper to do France and England or using an organized tour? As I try to compare and contrast them, most of the tours are more expensive and a little more limiting on schedules. Please advise. I keep checking back to the b&b I stayed in Ireland 7 years ago with a price under $100.00 which still looks very nice. We are looking at 7-8 days in Europe with a budget of $4000.00 max. Is this doable with how bad the USD is right now? TIA.

I depends very much on dates in Rome but it's doable under 200 $ (about 140 euro). I stayed last year in Rome with a special for 100 euro /night at a 3 star hotel.
7 years ago is a lot of time, it's not only the weak dollar, prices have risen a lot for us Europeans also.

Depending on your requirements, you can easily do a 7-10 day stay in Rome for $4,000.

1) Consider an apartment instead of a hotel. You can get some good deals in some great locations.

2) Time of year matters alot.

3) Outside Rome will be much cheaper than staying in the city, but then you lose the ability to enjoy the nights and have to deal with suburban transportation.

4) Staying in Rome in a less touristy area can save alot. Use public transportation.

5) Don't eat is super expensive restaurants.

The price for the b&b in Dingle has remained the same as when my mother and I stayed there. I would love to just go back there but then think if not now, when would we go to Rome & Paris?

Well, Ireland is not Italy or France...Dingle is not Rome or Paris. Of course the countryside of any country is very much cheaper. Also any city except Rome, Venice or Florence is cheaper...and the same goes to France and Paris. But normally these ones are the ones that a visitor wants to see
I am Spaniard, live in Spain and in all my trips in Europe only paid more than 100 euro in a hotel in London once (before I discovered Priceline!). Probably Venice will be more or less like in London in terms of accomodation So it can be done.
take a look at www.booking.com. In the sort by option , choose cheapest double room and it will show you cheapest rooms first.

We just stayed at this hotel, near the Santa Maria Maggiore church. Nice rooms, particularly the Executive rooms in the second building or the superior rooms that face the church. They may have discounts depending on your trip dates. We paid 110 euros for an executive room.

http://www.hotelmecenatepalace.com/index.php

Hotel Montreal, also near Santa Maria Maggiore - 85 Euro if you book online, great value - nice clean place, well run. Breakfast sucks (stale bread and bad coffee), but if you had your morning espresso and pastry in the hotel, in my opinion that would be a big mistake no matter how good is tasted! I've stayed here for 2-3 night stays on 2 different trips over the last couple of years and both were good experiences. The location is great, as you can walk from Termini with no need for a cab (assuming not excessive luggage), and I found I could comfortably walk all over the historic center right over to the tiber and back with no real strain (about 2km round trip).

Also, for some reason, flying 8 hours from Toronto to stay in "Hotel Montreal" had an element of hilarity.

If you want, you can also stay in a Hotel Canada near Termini...

If you are planning on spending 8 days in Europe, you can't very well "do" France and Italy. I assume you really mean Paris and Rome. With your budget, you should stay in one place, since switching places takes more time and money.

Why don't you "do" either Paris OR Rome for a week, renting an apartment and really get to know the place, then go to the other city next time?

I would suggest bed and breakfasts as they include your breakfast in the price. We have stayed throughout Europe in them and they are great. We are going to Scotland in Sept and averaging $187.00 per night...and staying in very nice accommodation and our dollar is worth $.50. Have you tried trip advisor? I usually check out all the accommodations on their site and we have stayed in nice places. I would first decide where you want to go. If you really want to go to Italy....then start looking at bed and breakfasts. I just looked under trip advisor and there are rooms for $200.00 in Rome. If you want to do Paris and Rome, then I would fly as you will waste less time traveling. email me at [email protected] if you need help.

Might also try www.cross-pollinate.com/.They act as a booking agent for privately owned guest houses in Rome and other cities. Prices are reasonable.

We stayed at the Nicolas Inn in Rome in 2005 and found it very comfortable. It's a small bed and breakfast on Via Cavour near the Coliseum. Easy walking distace to most sites so you save money on transportation. Priced at $175. in 2005 and may be slightly more now so may be just at your limit.