It's been a year and a half since I was in Paris, so I have a better feel for the cost of food and museums etc. It's been 4 years though, since we were in Italy and they had the lire and a family of 3 could eat like a king for next to nothing.

This winter we'll be going back and I wanted to get an understanding of how prices have chnged in Italy. I heard that we should expect to pay about 20% more than we did before. Does that sound accurate?

Hi sandi,

Breakfast (pastry and coffee) was about 2.5E

Lunch at a cafe about 30E for two w/wine
Pizza or salad for one about 5E

gelato 1-3E depending on size

Dinner at a moderate restaurant, with wine about 60E

Full dinner at Il Ritrovo in Florence about 80-90E and worth every penny.

thanks Ira. The full dinner price you mentioned, would that be per person?

I understand that it all depends on where we eat as to the cost. We will proabaly do a light meal for lunch, pizza, past, salad or sandwich during the day and famil dining at night with a couple of more expensive meals dotting the trip. Any more info would be great especially from anyone that just returned.

We're budgeting 200e for hotels per night.

Sandi, I have a budget article at slowtrav.com--under Italy and planning--that may help. Yes, 20% more is about right.

Sandi: My Paris prices in April were:

72 euros for the hotel room. I did not take the breakfast.

5 euros for a large café crème and tartine with jam at a nearby café (as opposed to 7 euros for the hotel breakfast)

Lunch at a typical place near St-Michel - 12 euros for a huge "panini"-type sandwich and salad and iced tea. More than I could eat. I could have eaten for less but I wanted to sit and watch the world go by for an hour or so.

Dinner at La Fontaine de Mars for about 37 euros plus tip. I love this place, and whatever it costs, it's worth it to me.

Hi sandi,

Should have mentioned: That's for two.

Prosecco before the antipasto and limoncello after dessert.