Posts Tagged money
Italy Budget Holiday
There are a lot of reasons why Italy is at the top of the travelers’ wish list. Awe-inspiring cultural attractions and historical monuments rank highly; so, too, does the wonderful climate, beautiful beaches, delicious cuisine and friendly people… it goes on and on!
But as far as the budget traveler is concerned, arguably the best thing about the country is the sheer unmitigated quality of budget accommodation. Put simply, hostels in Italy are some of the best in the world.
Sights
Italy’s history is characterized in part by the excess of the lavish Romans, evident in architectural triumphs such as the Colosseum in Campitelli and the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento which, although suffering the natural toils of time, still provide a fascinating insight into a great empire past.
However, for some of the country’s (slightly!) more recent history, travelers can look forward to sights such as the renowned Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Chiesa di San Francesco di Paola in Napoli.
For the more spiritual, the visually stunning and truly inspiring Vatican City, housed in the enclaves of an inner wall inside the city of Rome, underlines the high regard with which religious tradition is still valued.
And for those more inclined towards open-air adventure, tours of some of Italy’s countryside and farmland are often very hands-on, providing an opportunity not only to see Italy’s famous vineyards, olive groves and animal agriculture, but also to get involved and sample the resulting produce.
Hiring a car may provide easier access to the more remote Italy hostels, but toll roads and petrol costs are likely to be off-putting. The cheaper and by-and-large more convenient travel option is the train, which also allows tourists to mix with the locals too.
Food
Food remains an exceptionally important part of this country’s character, while also varying widely between different regions. As far as Italian cuisine is concerned, it’s really a matter of how far temptation will allow your budget to stretch!
However, for budget travelers it may be advisable to take advantage of the availability of inexpensive cheap ingredients on markets rather than spending money at some of Italy’s many expensive restaurants.
But with a focus on fresh, simple ingredients, splashing out now and again in as many different locations across Italy as one’s wallet will allow is highly recommended for food fans. Puglia or Venice’s delicious fish dishes and Tuscany’s local culinary tours are just some of the food-focused highlights to look forward to.
Tags: accommodation, attractions, budget holiday, budget travel, climate, holiday, hostels, italy, italy hostels, money, tourist, tours, tours of, travel, tuscany, valley of the temples, veniceRelated posts
Is a Budget Vacation in Venice Italy Possible?
The city of Venice, Italy is one of the most romantic and enchanting cities in the whole of Europe if not the World. Many films and books have focused their attention on this city for good reason. Many newlyweds come to this city to start their lives and to make sure that their romance gets off to a great start. However for many this city is far out of reach due to budget constraints. But this need not be the case for everyone.
Saving money on a budget hotel should be the first order of business. There are many smaller hotels that do not offer the frills and luxuries that the larger hotels have to offer. However these hotels certainly have enough charm and ambience to make up for what ever luxury you may be used to at home. Sometimes I think people tend to forget that when they are on vacation that this is a great time to get off the beaten track and see what others do not. When looking for budget accommodations I would make sure that the hotel is family owned and operated as you will get far better service then if it is not.
If you want to save money on food and drink in Venice then I would think like the locals. No self respecting Venetian would pay through the nose like the tourists. Rather they know the tricks on how to save money everyday. So the best guide then to saving money in Venice is from someone who lives there. Take advantage of the locals knowledge. Try to get out of them their favorite places to eat. Find out the best pizzeria in the neighborhood as that is perhaps one of the cheapest meals you can eat while in Italy. Never sit down for your meal though as that will surely add to the cost. If you carefully watch the locals you will see that many just eat standing up at the bar as they make their way around the city.
Next it is important to save money on the sights of the city. For this I would be sure to take advantage of the various tourist passes that are offered all throughout the city. Not only will these passes get you into most of the popular museums but they may end up saving you money on transport as well. Many of these passes are connected to the local transport system in order to get the best deal for the many travelers who visit this city everyday.
A budget vacation in Venice is possible if you can plan ahead and know the tricks of the city. The best way to do this is to befriend a local and rely on them. Find a great guidebook that is written by someone that has a deep understanding of the city.
Tags: accommodation, budget hotel, europe, guide, hotel, hotels, how to save money, italy, money, museums, save money, save money on food, saving, saving money, tourist, transport, travel, vacation, venice, venice italy, visitRelated posts