sbtravel

My husband and I are trying to travel to Italy in June (I know it's high season, but that's the only time we can go) for two weeks+. Our budget is $7000. Airfare is really expensive this summer, but we are using airline miles to pay for one flight so our total airfare cost from Minneapolis is $1550. Can we travel to Rome, Venice, Florence, Capri/Sorrento, & the Cinque Terre on the remaining $5500? An apartment is not an option as we will not be in one city for the minimum stay of 1 week... any thoughts/suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks!!

WillTravel

Did you see this post?
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35114793

I think it's possible with careful planning.

WillTravel

It would help if you took out one or two of your destinations, though.

thursdaysd

That's $392/night assuming 14 nights, or $196 a person. That's higher than my typical budget for Europe, and I travel solo so my room costs are higher. It doesn't allow for luxury hotels, though - I mostly go for 2 star, pensions, guest houses, B&B type places. For instance, I just booked a room on Capri for a little over $100, but it's a 1-star hotel and the room doesn't have a sea view. If you eat a picnic one meal a day (or a panini, or pizza) you should have plenty for dinner. Except that Venice is seriously expensive, you might do better to skip Venice this trip.

LAwoman

You can get apartments for 3-4 days, that's what we do. We've booked appts for 4 nites each in Rome & Venice and 3 nites in 5Terre.

missypie

We were able to get apartments in Rome, Florence and Venice for 3 days.

dtrout

Can you tell me the web sites you used to get your apartments?

sandi_travelnut

Lots of apartment sites listed on previous threads, but some are www.rentalinrome.com, www.sleepinitaly.com www.vrbo.com and others. Also check www.slowtrav.com for great reviews of apartments and the agencies themselves.

LAwoman

rentflat.hotelinvenice.com

sleepinitaly.com

http://www.acasa5terre.it/

JoyC

I don't think its your budget that's going to be the problem but the cities/area/region you are going to be traveling to. That's a lot of ground to cover for a mere 14 days (less if you include travel time to and from the states). You are going north to south to west.

4 days Venice, 4-5 days Rome/Florence, 4 days Amalfi Coast + 1 day Rome for flight home. Skip the Cinque Terre.

ira

Hi SB,

A more important question is, "Do you want to trek through Rome, Venice, Florence, Capri/Sorrento, & the Cinque Terre" with only 2 weeks?

You have two too many places.

I wouldn't include Capri/Sorrento and the CT in one visit.

Your $5500 comes to about 275E/nite for 13 nites.

That's easily done.

You can find pensiones for about 100E/nite.

Florence:
I highly recommend www.bedinflorence.it

For Venice, check out
www.hotelbernardi.com/en/hotel.html
http://www.alcampaniel.com/

If you do go south of Rome, you might want to consider
www.lesirene.com in Praiano on the Amalfi Coast.

sbtravel

I've kind of thought we had to many places on the itinerary too, but others have told me it's possible. If I were to cut out one location nearly everyone I've talked to has said to cut out Venice - but it seems as though you guys have other thoughts. Would you suggest cutting out an alternate location? I want to keep CT in there if possible - as everyone has said it's a MUST SEE... thoughts?

cheryllj

Sure, it's "possible" but that doesn't mean it's "practical" or "advisable."

The simple truth is that traveling between places eats up way more time than most people imagine (checking in/out, transfers, waiting in lines), and it's way more tiring than most people expect.

LAwoman

How many nights do you have? We like to do 4 nites in 3 places, & 3 in a fourth place - that allows us for some variety without moving around too much. I would never cut Venice. Venice - Florence - 5Terre - Rome (or reverse) is a sensible plan.

mariebut

Try www.sleepinginflorence.com for apartments in Florence. We have booked one for only 3 nights and company is great to deal with.

tuscanlifeedit

I don't think you need to seaside spots with great views in one trip. If the Cinque Terre tempts you maore than Capri/Sorrento, choose it.

I don't think there is enough in the CT to make it worth MY time, but many disagree. I have crowned myself the official CT detractor here on Fodor's. Yes, these small towns are attractive. Hiking is great, but strenuous except for a few stretches.

I would pick Capri or Sorrento. We have a 1* reserved in Capri. It has AC, but no view. However, it is well located and we are staying for three nights. Capri has much more historic interest, with sites from the Romans and other epochs. Sorrento has access to Pompei and Capri and maybe even an Amalfi coast town if you have time. Me? I would pick Capri/Sorrento.

Where are you flying in and out of?

Jean

I also think this is too much to attempt in two weeks, not just because of your limited time in each place and the time lost in transit, but also because of the transit costs.

Check fares at Trenitalia.com/en/index/html. Add the round-trip ferry to Capri, the taxis (water and land) you may choose to take between stations and hotels, city buses and/or metro, food and museum entry fees. Deduct these expenses from your $5500 expenses before you determine what you can spend on lodging.

Sassafrass

If you do not require luxury accomodations, do research yourself and buy site-based guide books so you don't have to take expensive tours, use public transportation most of the time, have sandwiches now and then instead of big restaurant meals, etc. of course, you can do it. Your budget would seem high next to our budget, and we always have a great time. We even do splurges on things like a gondola ride. Just decide on your absolute musts and cut back on other things. Check out some of the short apt rentals.

Do take the advice of others and skip either the AC or CT. I love the AC and there is lots to do there, but the CT might be more convenient for you. Spend a little more time in Rome and do a day trip or two.