lots_of_fun

We are flying to Rome this summer and want to have the cheapest vacation possible. We're prepared to rough it. We don't want to stay in Rome but can't afford to go very far outside either. It would be great if we could find a charming small town that could be reached by train or bus. If there was a hostel, that would be great too. I know we're asking for a lot. We've traveled to Italy several times before but that was when we had more income. It doesn't matter if there are no magnificent galleries or tourist sites, we just want the experience of being in Italy again. We want to stay for two weeks. Any ideas?

kybourbon

How many people? What is the maximum you want to pay per night?

lots_of_fun

Two people. Maximum per night $50.00 USD

kybourbon

Your budget is extremely low (only 34€ for two). You should find a few hostels at that price or you might try a campground. Many of the Italian campgrounds have bungalows they rent. You would have to pick one on a busline (there's actually one on the outskirts of Rome).
http://www.camping.it/english/lazio/

This one is near Pompeii and in your price range.
http://www.campingspartacus.it/en/rates.html

There are lots of convents and monasterys. You can locate them on Monasterystays.com, but they are a reseller and mark up prices. You can save 10-15€ per night by contacting the places directly.

Hostels in Italy.
http://www.hihostels.com/web/bcentres.en.htm?country=IT

Hostel in Florence
http://www.ostellofirenze.it/?id_pagina=3&Lang=_2

luckytotravel

Recently stayed at Il Rosario a convent that we booked n line directly from the convent clean, convenient and very helpful staff with great restaurant recommendations for 40Euro a night for 4 people. Worked for us

kybourbon

luckytotravel - Was that 40€ per person? I've seen several reports by Fodorites that were more than 40€ for a room there. From the Rome Tourist Board website for Il Rosario:

Double with bath: da € 86.00 a € 98.00
Single with bath: da € 50.00 a € 60.00
Single without bath: da € 40.00 a € 50.00
Breakfast included
Payment: Cash

I assumed the OP wanted to spend $50 per night for two people, not one.

WillTravel

Another possibility is to get out of Rome. You can get cheaper prices at hostels in other cities, not to mention other cheaper costs. That being said - maybe less than 34 Euros for two people is possible in Rome.

It is possible in Florence - http://www.ostello.it/inglese/strugbr.html .

Also try hostelbookers.com and www.hostelworld.com .

WillTravel

www.hihostels.com is another possibility. However, it looks like a lot of places don't have their summer prices loaded yet. So you could call or email. It looks like Torino, for example, has dorm beds for 15 Euros per night.

Train travel is quite cheap in Italy, so it could be well worth it to get out of Rome.

ira

Hi lof,
For that budget, go to Baltimore and stay in Little Italy.

$50 = 34E/nite = 17E pp/nite.

You might have to consider 35E pp/nite.

nancicita

lots_of_fun,

Yes, you are asking for a lot. $50 a night for two people? That's unrealistic if you are staying for such a short period of time. And you know that the USD-EUR exchange rate is in the $^%* right now.

Now if you were to stay there at least a month, rent an apartment, and stay in your apartment all day long...no tours, no museums, no shopping, no restaurants, no trains/planes/automobiles...then yes, you would be able to be in Italy for $50 USD / 2 people. But given that scenario, you might as well stay home. Or take ira's advice and go to Baltimore. LOL.


How about skipping Italy and going to Croatia instead?

stepsbeyond

You should be able to find what you are looking for by using bed-breakfast websites that include offerings just outside the touristic core. Towns like Fregene offer bus service directly into Rome's center.

http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/lazio-fregene.html

You should also look for deals on Lago Bracciano (which has excellent connections to Rome) and Tarquinia, which has a direct train link to Rome. Also towns like Cerveteri

http://www.cerveteribb.it/index_en.htm

Get a good map of the province of Lazio and identify small towns near Rome. Check Trenitalia to see if there is a no-change train ride that is less than one hour. Since you are staying a longish time, try to negotiate a lower rate with a b&b or look for a rental.

stepsbeyond

Consider Arpino, on the train and bus lines with access to Rome and Naples:


http://www.venere.com/italy/arpino/

http://www.arpinoturismo.it/index.ph...d=19&Itemid=47

http://www.arpinoturismo.it/index.ph...d=26&Itemid=41

AussieJohn65

You could try Frascati which is just south of Rome and has good connections but not sure you'll get somewhere reasonable for $50us. Even monasteries in the area (www.monasterystays.com) are 40 euro per person but they do have ensuite bathrooms.