To really get into la dolce vita, it’s better to limit yourself to a few cities or towns and take your time in each one. Delays and unforeseen events (along with these common tourists mistakes) can derail even the best-planned schedules and cause stress, which is the opposite of what your vacation should be about.

If you’re planning to be in Italy for 10 days and want to see the best cities the country has to offer, while also leaving time to enjoy spontaneous events and relax, follow this itinerary. This schedule takes you through the greatest hits of Rome, Florence, and Venice for an unforgettable and affordable vacation.

In another post, we offer tips for exploring Italy by car, including small villages and towns. However, for this trip, we’re hitting up the country’s big three cities, so we’ll travel by high-speed train.

Related: 11 Simple ways to save on your trip to Italy

Day 1: Arrive in Rome

Fly into Rome, take the train in from the airport and spend the afternoon and evening relaxing.

Take a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood of your hotel (we recommend staying at one of these budget hotels with central locations), and indulge in your first Italian meal. Roman food is unique to the rest of Italy, so ask your concierge or host for their recommendations on the best amatriciana or cacio e pepe in the neighborhood. If you find yourself near the Spanish Steps, you can try one of these restaurants.

Affordable hotels in Rome:
• All budget hotels in Rome

The Duomo is the heart of Florence and must-see for your first day. Photo: Dennis Jarvis

Days 2 & 3: Explore Florence

You’ll see everything Rome has to offer soon, but today we’ll take a train to Florence, about two hours away from Rome’s Termini train station. Book these tickets well in advance for the lowest prices (from €17!) directly from Trenitalia, the national railway. (By the way, don’t be confused if you type “Florence” into the search and nothing comes up. You need to search for “Roma” to “Firenze.” Another note: If Trenitalia’s website shows up as unavailable for your region, you can book the same tickets at the same rates, plus a €3.50 fee, through the U.S.-based Italiarail.com.)

Florence, the heart of Tuscany, is also one of the most beautiful and culturally important cities in the country. Arrive in the early afternoon and, after checking into your hotel, spend the rest of the day wandering around the famed Basilica (the “Duomo”) and climbing to the top. You’ll be hungry after the walk, and when in Florence, make sure to eat a panini or the famous dish, Bistecca alla Fiorentina! (Read more posts about eating for cheap in Florence.)

The next day is for sightseeing (Read: 5 ways to save on sightseeing in Florence). After a tasty breakfast, spend the day exploring Florence, whether you want to visit Michelangelo’s David sculpture in the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze, pore over art in the Uffizi Gallery, or shop for handmade leather goods and souvenirs.

Cheap hotels in Florence:
• All budget hotels in central Florence

It’s hard not to fall in love with the Grand Canal in Venice. Photo: Gerhard G.

Day 4 & 5: Strolling in Venice

Head to Venice by train from Florence, a ride that takes approximately two hours. Again, book those tickets in advance through Trenitalia (and search for “Venezia”).

Once in Venice, you can immerse yourself in the romance of the canals and beauty of handmade blown glass. Venice is known for its seafood, so take advantage and feast on octopus and calamari. Unfortunately, Venice is also known for overpriced, tourist trap restaurants, so ask a local for recommendations. (Read more of our posts about food in Venice.)

When choosing a hotel in Venice, we like to go close, but not too close, to St. Mark’s Square. The Castello neighborhood is a nice option, with several affordable options that are tucked away and quiet-ish, but still super-convenient. Want a canal view? Consider these budget hotel picks. Want more options? Here’s a list of our favorite hotels in Venice.

On your second day in Venice, start your day at a delicious Venetian bakery, and then get ready for an unforgettable walk. From the Piazza San Marco (where every building turns a lovely shade of pink during sunset), to Doge’s Palace and Saint Mark’s brilliant Basilica, there’s plenty to do.

From our Venice sightseeing guide: visit these 10 sights for under €15, check out these lesser-known museums, hit up these 5 free sights, or take a walk through the Jewish ghetto.

Of course, one of the best things to do in Venice is sip a glass of wine while watching the gondolas glide by. You can also hop on a ferry, if a gondola ride is too expensive for your tastes. (It is for ours!)

Hotel picks for Venice:
• All budget hotels in Venice

Days 6 – 8: A Roman Holiday

Today, you’ll head back to Rome by train, passing through hill country and several castles along the way. It’s only three hours on the high-speed train from Venice, but the trip takes much longer on a regional train. (If booked in advance, the fast train will probably be about the same price as the slow one!)

When choosing a hotel in Rome, check out this list of our favorite budget hotels. This includes several that are near the train station, as well as those in extremely convenient locations near the Pantheon and Piazza Navona and Spanish Steps. (See all recommended hotels in Rome.)

Once checked in, take a night stroll through the city. The piazzas are bustling until late in the evening, and the city sparkles at night. If you have time, visit the Trevi Fountain by moonlight.

Related:
• 25 Free things to see and do in Rome
• 10 Easy ways to save on your next trip to Rome

Plan what you want to see in Rome, and split it up over the next few days. A tour of the Vatican will take about half a day, as will a tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum.

Related:
• 10 Tips for visiting St. Peter’s Basilica & the Vatican Museums
• Rome’s 4 commonly overlooked treasures

But give yourself at least one day to explore Rome away from the big sights. Explore outdoor markets, shop for Italian fashion, relax in one of Rome’s many gardens and parks, and just wander along the city’s cobblestone side streets!

Don’t forget to eat lots of gelato and drink house wine! Seriously, the house wine is much cheaper and just as good as most of the bottled stuff. It’s local! (Read more about eating and drinking in Rome.)

The beautiful waters of Anzio, Italy are just a quick and cheap train ride away from Rome. Photo: Helen Cook

Day 9 – Day trip

If you’re in love with Rome, go ahead and spend another day checking more attractions off of your wish list.

If you’re up for something new, there are several fun day trips easily accessible from Rome. Whether you want to enjoy some sun at nearby beaches, the hillside villages of Castelli Romani, or the ruins of Ostia Antica (one of the best-kept secrets in all of Italy), getting out of the city is worth it to see a different side of Italy before you leave. Most trains depart from Termini Station.

Day 10 – Arrivederci Italy

Have one last cappuccino and cornetto for breakfast and you’re off! Of course, your memories from 10 days in bella Italia will last a lifetime.

Your Italy tips

Have you been to Rome, Florence or Venice? Tell us how you like to save when you are sightseeing (and eating!) during your trip.

The post 10-day itinerary for Italy: An affordable trip to Rome, Florence and Venice appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

However, not all cheap hotels are worth checking into. So where should you stay if you’re traveling on a budget? We did the research to find the best budget hotels in Florence, with most rooms well under $150 per night.

Read more about budget travel in Italy
• 10 Day Itinerary in Italy: An Affordable trip to Rome, Florence and Venice
• Avoid these 10 common tourist mistakes in Italy
• 5 Tasty panini shops in Florence under €5

The best budget hotels in Florence

From charming family-run stays with a lending library to old-world rooms boasting 18th-century frescoes, here are our favorite hotels from our Florence guide.

Hotel San Giovanni’s rooms may be light on amenities, but they have plenty of charm. Photo: Booking.com

Hotel San Giovanni

Neighborhood: Duomo
Doubles from $69

The rooms at the Hotel San Giovanni might be a little basic, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better deal, especially when some rooms even offer views of the Duomo. Wi-Fi is accessible in common spaces, and in-room amenities include toiletries and a hair dryer. But again… did we mention the views? Those alone make this one of the best budget hotels in Florence. Read the full review

Bavaria is all about old-world charm.

Bavaria

Neighborhood: Santa Croce
Doubles from $65

What the Bavaria lacks in amenities it makes up for in style. Guests enter the hotel through a courtyard and up a large staircase. Rooms are mini-museums, complete with 18th-century frescoes and intricately painted wooden ceilings, and there is plenty of space to relax after a busy day of sightseeing. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi in the gorgeous Renaissance-style common areas, and breakfast is included in the price. Read the full review

You don’t need that many euros to stay a few steps from the Duomo at Hotel Dali.

Hotel Dali

Neighborhood: Duomo
Doubles from $86

The sweet owners of Hotel Dali, Marco and Samantha, ensure that every guest has an unforgettable stay in Florence. Rooms are charming, with local artwork and antiques. Guests also love the lending library, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and free parking (unheard of in Florence!). Read the full review

A stay at Hotel Abaco feels like sleeping in an art museum. Photo: Booking.com

Hotel Abaco

Neighborhood: Santa Maria Novella
Doubles from $89

Hotel Abaco is what we consider a cheapo gem. This family-run hotel is nestled in a 15th-century palazzo in a convenient location near the main train station. It only has seven rooms, so it’s best to reserve your spot well in advance. The early planning is worth it, though. Rooms are intricately decorated, and the nightly rate includes breakfast. Read the full review

We love the simple and cheap rooms at Hotel Giappone. Photo: Booking.com

Hotel Giappone

Neighborhood: Duomo
Doubles from $81

Nestled within a beautiful historic building, the Hotel Giappone is a no-frills home base for serious Cheapos. Rooms are complete with desks, televisions, air conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. Many rooms also have tall windows that look down on the popular shopping street below. Read the full review

Pop your head out the window for this view from the Hotel Locanda Orchidea.

Hotel Locanda Orchidea

Neighborhood: Duomo
Doubles from $107

The Hotel Locanda Orchidea is a calming oasis in the center of Florence. This family-run hotel has welcoming rooms with views of either the pedestrian street below or a small, quiet garden. Costs stay low thanks to clean shared bathrooms. While you won’t find televisions in the rooms, there is a TV lounge and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Read the full review

Book a stylish room at Johanna I without breaking the bank Photo: Booking.com

Johanna I B&B

Neighborhood: San Marco
Doubles from $72

In a quiet, residential area only a 10-minute walk to the Duomo, Johanna I B&B offers the best of both worlds when it comes to location. Rooms are uniquely and gorgeously decorated and complete with the comforts of home, including free Wi-Fi, mini fridges, and flat-screen TVs. If you splurge on a mini-suite, bathrooms include tubs and rainfall shower heads. Read the full review

More Florence cheap hotels

Need more hotel recommendations? Check out our guide to Florence for even more options to help you find the best budget hotels in Florence. And if you have a favorite place to stay in Florence, let us know in the comments below!

The post The 7 best budget hotels in Florence for 2024 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

It’s no surprise that Florence’s popularity also keeps prices a lot higher than we would like.

But Cheapos know you can keep coming back to this wonderful Italian city as long as you keep a few budget tips in mind.

More Florence & Italy Tips:
• Our 10 favorite budget hotels in Florence
• A Cheapo-friendly 10-day itinerary across Italy
• 11 Tips for saving in Italy
• Our favorite affordable hotels in Tuscany

10 Tips to help you save in Florence

Before you start planning your vacation to Florence, check out these 10 easy ways to save time and money.

1. Time your visit carefully

Scheduling your trip between the end of October and the beginning of March will net you substantial savings. Not only will flights and accommodations be cheaper (and crowds more subdued), you’ll pay less to tour what many consider this Tuscan city’s main event: the museums.

Take, for example, the cost of entry to the Uffizi — it increase from €19 to €25 for Florence’s busy peak and mid-season from March through the end of October.

Related: 10 Tips for saving at the Uffizi Gallery 

2. Book ahead for accommodations

While the low season is certainly cheaper and less crowded, Florence is actually a busy destination any month of the year. To score the best deals on the most centrally located accommodations, reserve a place to stay as far in advance as you can manage. And if you’re worried about changes in plans, pay a little extra for free cancellation. This is extra important if you’re visiting in the busy summer months.

Search for hotels and vacation apartments in Florence

3. Make a list of free things

While many of the must-sees in Florence will cost admission, there is a lot to be enjoyed here without forking over an entry fee. Browsing at San Lorenzo Mercato Centrale, walking across the city’s only remaining medieval bridge, Ponte Vecchio, and climbing up the hill to Piazzale Michelangelo for sweeping views of the city are highly recommended and free. Also, watching leather artisans at work in the Santa Croce neighborhood will cost nothing more than your time and energy.

Related: 8 Free things to do in Florence

4. Choose your hotel wisely

Picking your location can be a winning ticket to saving during your trip to Florence. Want a view of the Ponte Vecchio from your room? Be prepared to spend. Luckily, Florence isn’t a sprawling city like Rome, so you don’t need to stay in the exact center to be within walking distance of most top attractions. Read through our Florence neighborhood guide for tips and decide which area might work best for you.

5. Get local advice

Whether it’s where to get takeaway pizza or find the best shopping, ask a local (or for best results, a few locals) about where and what they recommend. Online evaluations are great, but they can’t beat the real, in-person thing. Plus, sometimes the neatest places don’t have much of an online presence.

6. Dine out at lunchtime

One of the biggest appeals for most folks visiting Italy is enjoying the food. Savor local eats without upending your budget by limiting your meals to mostly set menus at lunchtime — not only will you save money, you’re more likely to be offered seasonal specialties, so you can try different dishes when you’re not ordering a la carte. Check out all of our Florence dining tips.

Just remember to walk a ways away from any tourist attractions before sitting down to eat or drink anything. For nights when you’re too beat to cook or slap together a sandwich, you can always pick up a pizza or check out one of our favorite panini shops.

7. Don’t fly into Florence

There aren’t any direct flights into Florence from US airports, and you’re likely to pay substantially more for an itinerary to and from Florence (to the tune of several hundred dollars).

Instead, fly into Rome or Milan (Emirates has some great deals on occasion) and spend a couple of hours — and €40 or less — on the train into town. Flying into Florence tends to be more expensive than flying into Milan or Rome, even from major hubs in Europe like Barcelona and London.

Find low-cost flights to Italy with CheapoSearch

8. Watch what you drink

Keep a close tab on what you drink, and we don’t just mean alcohol. Beverages in general, especially in the center of Florence, can rack up a substantial tab. Spring for the occasional espresso, cappuccino (just never in the afternoon!) or glass of Italian red, but the rest of the time, carry around your own refillable water bottle — there are fountains around town and tap water is safe to drink.

And if you love wine, do what the locals do and buy it on tap or buy it in the supermarket.

9. Shop strategically

Don’t buy anything in shops near the Duomo or the Uffizi, not even the supermarket, if you can avoid it. Unless, of course, you enjoy inflated prices.

Instead, wander down side streets in search of small neighborhood shops to find the best artisan edibles and unique souvenirs to take home. Note that if you’re pressed for time at a museum, the official gift shop may be your best bet for a positive quality-to-price ratio.

10. Think tickets through

Whatever your priorities for time and money in Florence, think them through before buying tickets on the fly. Churches and museums are around every corner, and the majority of them charge a fee. Most folks want to see at a minimum both the Uffizi and the Accademia Art galleries, as well as the Duomo. Buying in advance online saves you waiting in line but costs extra. Combo tickets offer a 10% discount in many cases.

And for anyone who thinks they want to see absolutely everything, there’s the Firenze Card, a 72-hour skip-the-line pass to see 72 of the city’s monuments and museums for €85. It just might be worth it, especially in high season, when ticket prices go up and lines are long. After the card expires, you can also extend it online for 48 hours to visit the sites you didn’t get to with the Firenze Card Restart, currently available for free.

Budget hotels in Florence

Check out our Florence hotel guide to find the right room for you.

Have you been to Florence? Let us know how you save on your trip in the comments!

The post Florence: 10 Travel tips to help you save appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Whether you are visiting Florence or living here on a budget, here are some simple ways to stretch your dining dollar.

So book your Florence hotel room and start thinking about all of the delicious things you will drink and eat from Bistecca alla fiorentina (a special steak dish) to the famous wines of Tuscany.

Tips for dining on a budget in Florence

Go to the market

Going to the markets in Florence is a beautiful experience, as they offer a fantastic combination of smells, amazing fresh fruit and vegetables — and no shortage of people-watching opportunities. And don’t forget your camera, because you will always find something neat to photograph.

The two main central markets in Florence are the Mercato di San Lorenzo and Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio. These are both wonderful markets, open every day except for Sundays until about 1:30 p.m.

Okay, now here’s the thing, to save your precious euros when going to the market you should know a few tricks. Many of the food stands in these markets cater to tourists and have the prices to match. I recommend taking a nice long walk around the market, looking at each stand. Look to see who is buying what at each stand. Head to the stand that has the most locals hanging around (normally this will also be the least fancy of the stands). Don’t be afraid to ask a local which stand they prefer.

At the markets, as well as in the supermarkets, all produce is sold by the kilo, so it’s always a good idea to ask how much something costs if you are not sure. You can also order by price. In this case, you would say, for example, “I’d like €3 of apples.” This way you will always know exactly how much you’re spending, especially if you are not familiar with metric quantities.

As far as the other outdoor vendors selling clothing and household items… bargain to your heart’s content! Unlike in the retail stores around town, at the market, you can bargain and sometimes get the vendor to dramatically reduce the price. When you are bargaining, I recommend having the amount of money you are offering for the item already in your hand for the vendor to see. I have had more luck that way. Happy bargaining!

Enjoy a picnic

For tourists visiting Florence, eating out every meal gets expensive quickly. Fortunately, you have access to great produce and local food products, so instead of heading to yet another restaurant, take a break and pick up some fresh vegetables at San Lorenzo market and some locally made cheeses and bread at Sant’Ambrogio. You can even check out the supermarkets around town for some cheaper, yet quality food supplies.

Now, where to go to have your picnic? You could go to any of the many public parks in Florence — during the day Le Cascine Park or anywhere along the Arno River would be a great choice. I would also recommend heading to any big piazza, such as Piazza Santa Croce or Piazza della Repubblica, as they’re fantastic for people watching.

I also recommend going to the Boboli Gardens to have a picnic, as the lovely gardens offer a lot of space. There is, however, an entrance charge of €6 at the Boboli Gardens. On a nice sunny day, I’d say it’s worth it.

Don’t sit down with your coffee

When going to a bar for a coffee or tea, remember that there are sometimes two different prices for drinks: bar prices and table service prices. Table service (meaning they take your order and serve you at a table) is about double the price of ordering and consuming your drink at the counter. Not all bars will charge you for table service, so it is important to ask before you order.

Related: How to order coffee in Italy

Snack on an “Apericena”

I love enjoying an “Apericena” with friends, as it’s definitely cheaper than going out to dinner at a restaurant and often much more fun, as well.

Now, to clarify: An “Aperitivo” is a before-dinner drink, normally accompanied by some light finger-food and snacks like chips, olives, or bread with dips. An Apericena, however, includes a drink of your choice, accompanied by a buffet of food, typically including different pasta salads, risotto, couscous, little sandwiches, etc.

The cost of an Apericena is typically around €5 to €8. After a couple of rounds at the buffet I’m usually a posto (“done”). Dinner and a cocktail for under €10 is a great deal. If you have a special diet or allergies to certain foods, make sure you take a look at the buffet before you order anything, or better yet, ask one of the staff what is in each dish. There are many Apericena spots around the city, so don’t be afraid to be selective.

Your tips

Do you have tips for dining in Florence? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Florence: Simple strategies for saving on dining appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

That being said, those budget hotels can fill up quickly with others looking to enjoy all that Florence has to offer.

To keep you in-the-know of some of the hidden gems dotted along these ancient streets, we’ve combed through thousands of hotels and recently added some of our favorite cheap hotels in Florence to our guide.

Related: 10 travel tips to help you save in Florence

Newly added hotels in our Florence guide

Here are a few excellent budget hotel options that are new to our guide.

Dante Alighieri

Neighborhood: Duomo
Rooms from $78

Located in the center of Florence just 800 feet from the Cathedral, Dante Alighieri B&B offers peaceful rooms at rates that can’t be beat.

Rooms here are styled minimally, but the historic building lends some charm in the form of frescoed ceilings. Although the decor is basic, amenities are aplenty with air conditioning, an elevator and free Wi-Fi all available.

The nightly rate includes breakfast.

Book a cheapo stay in the heart of Florence at Dante Alighieri.

Badia Fiorentina

Neighborhood: Duomo
Doubles from $88

The 3-star Badia Fiorentina offers attractive, budget-friendly rooms just a short stroll from the Cathedral.

Rooms are dressed in white from top to bottom, and the tufted headboards and chandeliers bring a touch of glamour to these cheapo guestrooms. You’ll also find flat-screen TVs, kettles, mini-fridges, toasters, free Wi-Fi and more. Ask ahead for a room with views of the city. For an even cheaper stay, opt for a shared bathroom.

A fresh breakfast, included in the nightly rate, is served every morning.

Find your home-away-from-home at Badia Fiorentina.

Hotel Por Santa Maria

Neighborhood: Duomo
Doubles from $95

The quaint, 1-star Hotel Por Santa Maria is conveniently located near the Uffizi Gallery and the Cathedral and is in an ideal spot for easily exploring Florence.

Rooms are unembellished and feature predictable floral bedspreads, wood furnishings and a framed art print here and there. The hotel stays quiet thanks to a lack of televisions, but there are still plenty of creature comforts, including free Wi-Fi, air conditioning and kettles. You can save even more on the nightly rate by choosing a room with a shared bathroom.

While you won’t find breakfast here, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants in the area.

Stay in the center of Florence at Hotel Por Santa Maria.

Interested in seeing more options? Check out thousands of hotels in Florence.

The post Florence: New additions to our cheap hotels guide appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

With lush country landscapes and vineyards as far as the eye can see, Tuscany is an ideal vacation when you just need to get away from the stresses of everyday life. And although we love staying in Florence, the capital of Tuscany, sometimes you need to get out of the city to get a real feel for the region. There’s nothing like renting a car and touring the small towns and villages of Tuscany.

And while you might imagine sipping wine poolside, looking out onto the rolling hills and sleeping in a centuries-old hotel might cost you euros upon euros, Tuscany can be surprisingly affordable.

More travel tips for Tuscany:
• 10 Tips for saving on a vacation in Florence
• Easy day trips from Florence
• The best budget hotels in Florence

Our favorite cheap hotels in Tuscany

We’re sharing our favorite budget hotels in Tuscany (most under $100 per night) that are more than just a place to rest your head — these hotels deliver on cleanliness, coziness, and character. And much to our delight, many of them even have an outdoor pool!

Hotel San Luca

Rooms from $63 a night
Piazza Garibaldi 2, Cortona

Located in Cortona’s beautiful historic center, the Hotel San Luca offers sophisticated, budget-friendly rooms with free Wi-Fi, breakfast and air conditioning. The hotel’s shared terrace is a favorite hang out, as it offers picturesque views of the region. Book your stay here.

Enjoy spacious rooms with low rates at the Hotel Inn just outside of Florence.

Inn Hotel

Rooms from $90 a night
Via Edison 8, Barberino di Mugello

Located less than an hour north of Florence, the Inn Hotel offers low rates for simple but spacious rooms with free Wi-Fi and air conditioning. Rooms come with modern amenities, like mini-bars, flat-screen TVs, and a complimentary buffet breakfast. And of course, the views do not disappoint. Book your stay here.

The poolside lounge chairs are waiting for you at Hotel Residence Villa Rioddi.

Hotel Cappelli

Rooms from $92 a night
Viale Alessandro Bicchierai 139, Montecatini Terme

The elegant Hotel Cappelli offers cheap and charming accommodations near the train station in the city center, plus air-conditioned en suite rooms and an outdoor pool. If you’re looking to really unwind, the hotel also offers discounts to the nearby Terme di Montecatini Spa. Book your stay here.

Step into a room at Hotel Residence Villa Rioddi for a memorable Italian retreat.

Hotel Residence Villa Rioddi

Rooms from $97 a night
Strada Provinciale Monte Volterrano 71, Volterra

Set in a 15th-century building, the Hotel Residence Villa Rioddi provides guests with old-world charm and stunning views of Tuscany. The hotel offers everything from a pool to free bike rentals to a delicious breakfast buffet (included in the low price!). Book your stay here.

Welcome to paradise for only $100 per night at Hotel Belvedere Di San Leonino.

Hotel Belvedere Di San Leonino

Rooms from $100 a night
Loc. San Leonino, Castellina in Chianti

From the inviting guestrooms to the outdoor pool, every area of the Hotel Belvedere Di San Leonino offers unbeatable vineyard views. Each room is a charmer, complete with exposed oak ceiling beams and antique furnishings. The lovely location puts you only 20 minutes from Siena. Book your stay here.

Related: A quick guide to the wines of Tuscany

It’s easy to relax in the Tuscan countryside at Borgo San Luigi.

Borgo San Luigi

Rooms from $112 a night
Strada delle Cerreta 7, Monteriggioni

Get away from it all at the Borgo San Luigi, a sleepy hotel located on 20 acres of idyllic Tuscan countryside. Spend your afternoons lounging by the pool or riding horses on the land. To top it off, most rooms even come with gardens or balconies. Book your stay here.

Cheapo Splurge

We adore the old-world Tuscan style at Fattoria Abbazia Monte Oliveto.

Fattoria Abbazia Monte Oliveto

Rooms from $178 a night
Località Monte Oliveto 15, San Gimignano

While it is a bit of a cheapo splurge, the Fattoria Abbazia Monte Oliveto doesn’t offer hotel rooms — it offers apartments. With this in mind, the spacious lodgings are quite a good deal, especially with extra amenities like a swimming pool, a vibrant garden and wine and olive oil tastings. It’s located just outside of the gorgeous hill town of San Gimignano. Book your stay here.

More affordable accommodations in Tuscany

Looking for more hotels in Tuscany? Search more than 27,000 hotels and accommodations.

The post Italian Getaways: Our favorite affordable hotels in Tuscany appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

That said, the line can be long, the temperatures inside less than appealing, and the entry fee isn’t exactly cheap.

More Florence travel tips:
• Best budget hotels near the Uffizi Gallery
• 10 Days in Italy: An itinerary through Rome, Florence & Venice

10 Tips for saving time and money at the Uffizi

So what’s a cheapo to do? Here are our best tips to make the most of your time and your euros at the Uffizi.

1. Get tickets from the official museum site

There are a lot of middleman and third-party sites advertising museum tickets in Florence. If there’s nothing available, and you’re desperate to go, by all means, you should consider it. Just note that you’ll pay substantially higher booking fees. The official site at firenzemusei.it is a bit more difficult to use, but you’ll get the best price. Middleman sites like Florence.net, charge an added commission.

2. Go early

If you’re willing to risk not getting a ticket for the added flexibility and a few euros in savings (€4 to be exact), be prepared to get up early and be in line at least 30 minutes before the museum opens at  8:15 am. Don’t try this during high season, as you’re unlikely to get a last-minute ticket for any time during the entire day, much less that morning.

3. Reserve in advance

Go ahead and spend the extra €4 and book a ticket online. You’ll get in guaranteed, and you’ll also get to spend your time in the museum — as opposed to in line. Just remember to show up at least 15 minutes before your ticket time.

4. Go on a free day

In Italy, state museums are free of charge on the first Sunday of every month. If you can, arrange your Uffizi visit around these dates, but expect to brave the crowds (inside and out). Go early, and bring a book and a beverage to make the most of your time in the line.

The outdoor space between the two wings at the Uffizi. Photo: Andy

5. Time your visit for off-season

From November 1st through the end of February, tickets cost approximately half as much as during peak season. Compare €12 per person for a full-price ticket in late fall and winter to the €20 rate that reigns during the warmer months of the year. Unfortunately, there’s no discount in book-ahead fees. They’re always €4 per person year-round.

6. Bring the kids

Kids under 18 accompanying their families visit the museum for “free.” Why is “free” in quotation marks? Because if you reserve your tickets ahead (and you should to avoid waiting in line with your little ones), you’ll still have to pay the €4 reservation fee.

7. Explore conscientiously

The Uffizi is packed with world-class art around every corner. But even if you were an art history major, you may not be interested in absolutely everything. To save yourself from wandering around aimlessly, check out what interests you online before your visit to come up with a game plan.

Or if you want some general advice, head to the top floor where you’ll find treasures by Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and “The Birth of Venus,” and then work your way back down to the exit. Seeing everything is overrated, especially in summer, when the Uffizi is that particularly lovely combination of crowded, hot, and stuffy.

Exploring a hallway in the Uffizi Gallery. Photo: Larry

8. Come with the shirt on your back

Don’t drag extra jackets, bags, or really anything unnecessary into the museum. It’ll save you time from having to dump your bag/coat/umbrella before your visit and collecting everything when you’re ready to leave. Of course, if you can’t avoid it, the good news is the coat check here is free.

9. Skip the audio guide

Unless you’re a huge fan of audio guides in general, skip it. For €6 extra, we’d rather read up on the official website over a cappuccino just before our visit in a café with Wi-Fi, but it’s up to you.

10. Buy a Firenze Card

Let’s face it — if you’re interested enough in art to visit the Uffizi, you’re probably also on board to see Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia Gallery and a few other museums and sites around town. The Firenze Card will get you out of reserving ahead or waiting in line pretty much everywhere but the Duomo.

At €72, the price is up there, but it includes admission to up to 72 sites in the city in a 72-hour time frame. It’s well worth it if you plan to see three or four museums, especially during high season when entry fees nearly double. To fit in as many museums as possible, add the Firenze Card+ for €5 more so you can hop on transit and get around in a hurry.

Bonus Tip

If you find yourself in Florence and no tickets are available online, either call the Uffizi’s official reservation line or head to Orsanmichele Church (Monday-Saturday from 9 am – 4 pm) and ask if there are short-notice tickets available. You’ll still have to pay the €4 reservation fee, but you won’t have to wait in line.

Uffizi Gallery

Address: Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6
Hours: 8:15 am to 6:50 pm (Closed Monday)
Website: www.uffizi.it/en/

Have you been to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence? Share any tips or comments in the section below.

The post Florence: 10 Tips for visiting the Uffizi Gallery appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

We’re big fans of sleeping in central locations in almost every city we visit, as it cuts way down on wasted time spent on getting to and from the city center. Sleeping central means being able to dart back to your hotel room as needed throughout the day.

Forget something? No problem. Want to change or take a shower before dinner? Easy. A little too much vino at dinner? The walk home isn’t far…

Charming Florence hotels near Duomo

Here are four great sleeps in Florence, some within a one-minute walk of the Duomo (you read that right!) and all offering rooms for under €100 during most of the year. We searched both low- and high-season rates for each property.

Seriously, we’re not making this up. A view onto the Duomo from the Soggiorno Battistero.

Soggiorno Battistero

Piazza San Giovanni 1
Rates from: €99 (double)

The biggest splurge on our list, this charming B&B offers six sophisticated rooms literally across the street from the Duomo. Seriously, you can pay a little extra for rooms where you can look at the dome from your bed. All are equipped with air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. Rates run a lot higher in the high season, so come in winter or fall for the best deals. Breakfast included. Read our review.

The million-dollar view from a cheapo room at the Medici. Photo: EuroCheapo

Hotel Medici

Via de’ Medici 6
Rates from: €80 (double)

And now for something really cheap. The two-star Hotel Medici, located around the corner from the Duomo, is hands-down one of the best deals in central Florence. While rooms in this six-floor hotel are pretty simple and don’t have air conditioning or TV, many offer jaw-dropping views of the Duomo and surrounding streets. And did we mention those rates? Read our review.

San Giovanni offers clean rooms with charming old-world furnishings.

Hotel San Giovanni

Via de’ Cerretani 2
Rates from: €54 (double shared bathroom), €70 (double private external bathroom)

The one-star Giovanni is a budget gem, offering remarkably affordable rooms just steps from the Duomo. Housed in a 16th-century palazzo that once served as a residence for bishops, the San Giovanni offers history, to boot. Free Wi-Fi. Read our review.

The Dali charms with its vintage and antique furnishing. Photo: EuroCheapo

Hotel Dali

Via Dell Oriuolo, 17
Rates from: €40 – 90 (doubles, contact hotel for exact rates)

The friendly Samanta and Marco run this charming 10-room albergo, located just down the Via Dell Oriuolo from the Duomo’s back door. The Dali’s been a EuroCheapo favorite for more than a decade — its fun mix of vintage and antique furnishings won us over immediately. Free Wi-Fi, coffee/tea, and — get this! — parking. Read our review.

Looking for more options?

For many more reviews of recommended budget hotels in Florence, check out our Florence guide — including these 17 hotels near the Duomo and our top 10 favorite budget hotels in Florence.

The post 4 Charming Florence hotels near the Duomo for under €100 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

You can find plenty of hotels with rooms for around $100, but if you’re a true Cheapo like us, you’re looking to go even lower. We checked around and found five hotels in Florence offering rooms for under $100 with a few even hovering as low as $50 per night.

But we’re not just focused on price, because we all know that sometimes you get what you pay for. At EuroCheapo, we take care to choose hotels that we would have no qualms about staying in ourselves. All of the hotels we picked from this list have earned high marks from recent guests and they all offer excellent locations not far from Florence’s main attractions.

A super cheap room with a view at Hotel Giappone.

Hotel Giappone

Doubles from $44

Conveniently situated between the Duomo and main train station, the one-star Hotel Giappone is all about value. Be prepared to walk up to this four-story hotel nestled in a historic building. Colorful rooms with sturdy furniture offer views of the surrounding rooftops. We found $67 double rooms with a private bathroom and $44 rooms if you don’t mind sharing a bathroom down the hall. There are only eight rooms, so make sure to book early, especially in the high season.
Read the full review.

The classy courtyard at Hotel Bavaria.

Hotel Bavaria

Doubles from $53

Enjoy a slice of the Rennaisance at this fabulous one-star hotel. You would think that sleeping with 18th-century frescoes and intricately painted wooden ceilings in your room would break the bank. However, Hotel Bavaria offers double rooms for only $73 with a private bathroom and just $53 for a room with shared facilities.

Read the full review.

Canopy beds add a touch of luxury to this cozy B&B.

Johanna B&B

Doubles from $76

This beautiful bed and breakfast is proof that you don’t need to spend a fortune to splurge for a memorable hotel experience in Florence. Johanna B&B is filled with lovely touches like canopy beds, antique armoires, and 1950’s-style mini-fridges in every room. Even the neighborhood is chic — in a ritzy area just north of San Lorenzo. The price for this near-luxury experience? We found $76 double rooms when searching two months in advance.

Read the full review.

A flat-screen TV and terra cotta floors are just a few of the nice features at Tourist House Ghiberti.

Tourist House Ghiberti

Doubles from $77

With paintings by local artists on the walls and antique wood furniture dotting the rooms, Tourist House Ghiberti is one of the more stylish stays in our Florence guide. You would think it would be hard to find a room under $100, however, if you book in advance, you can find non-refundable rates for only $77. A complimentary breakfast is served each morning and each room comes with a computer and free Wi-Fi. Throw in a Jacuzzi, sauna, and sunny terrace, and you’ll be living the good life at a good price at this chic hotel.

Read the full review.

More Florence hotels

This is just a small sampling of the hotels that EuroCheapo has reviewed in Florence. Search over 50 hotels across the city.

The post Florence: 5 super cheap hotels with great locations appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

As of today, the euro will cost you only $1.07. (For the latest rate, click here.) This is indeed great news for American budget travelers, as everyday charges that you’ll incur during your trip will be much, much less (in dollar terms) than they were just last year, when the euro hovered in the $1.30s for most of the year. And compared to the summer of 2008, when the euro hit $1.60, Europe is today a bargain for Americans.

How much will you save?

For most American travelers heading to Europe, the big savings will be the everyday charges that you encounter once you get to Europe. As the actual prices (in euros) aren’t changing, you probably won’t even notice all of these savings until you get home and examine your credit card receipts and see the conversion to dollars.

Indeed, your everyday travel expenses will be cheaper (in dollar terms) than they have been in more than 10 years. This chart illustrates my point:

Sure, the travel expenses need to be adjusted for inflation (perhaps that €65 dinner in 2008 would actually cost €75 today), but the point holds: expenses in dollar terms are much, much lower today.

Unfortunately, there isn’t much evidence that the stronger dollar is making airfare to Europe much cheaper on the big legacy carriers. Still, check out the new budget airlines flying between the US and European destinations, including Norwegian Air and Wow! Air (from $99). (Unfortunately, Ryanair backtracked yesterday on their plans to launch cheap US-to-Europe flights–sigh.)

How can you make your dollars work even harder for you? Here are 7 tips for making the most of this moment:

Pay when you book? Pay when you check in? Chill out! Photo: little-phoenix

1. Pay now or later? Don’t sweat it when booking.

So, with the dollar gaining strength by the day, shouldn’t you hold off on paying for your big on-the-ground payments (hotels, cars, etc.) until you get to Europe? Many of these offer you the chance to pay when you arrive or pick up the car, and if you’re traveling this summer, the dollar might very well be stronger then.

Or wait… Should you prepay for as many charges as possible now, to lock in these savings unless the euro gains against the dollar?

Well, that’s the billion-dollar question (and the basis of currency trading). If you can correctly predict this, you could make a fortune in the markets, as there are a lot of factors at play. Will the US raise interest rates? How will the Greek bailout affect the European economy? Analysts have all kinds of theories about this. It’s a good idea to follow the story and monitor the dollar-to-euro exchange rate.

However, keep the big picture in mind: The dollar is expected to remain very strong, and many are now predicting that “parity” (1 dollar = 1 euro) will probably happen within the next year. But it will likely slide up and down a few percentages in the meantime.

I’d suggest keeping an eye on the exchange rate, but then taking it easy. Don’t lose too much sleep over whether or not to pre-pay. At best, it will probably lead to only a savings of a percentage or two, and at worse it will cost you in terms of flexibility (as you might be locked into those purchases) and money lost on non-refundable cancelled reservations.

Buy those Greek ferry tickets directly from the ferry operator’s website in euros, not through a third-party reseller who might offer the sale in dollars. Photo: please

2. Buy tickets directly and pay in euros.

Booking ticket for transportation or attractions in advance? Be sure to book directly through the official sites and pay in euros, and not through a US agency that would probably be charging in US dollars (and making additional profits off of the strong dollar!).

Whether you’re booking Italian train tickets, Baltic ferry crossings, or “Sound of Music” dinner theater packages in Salzburg, go to the source when booking.

Note: If you’re booking rail tickets, please read tip #6 here before booking a rail pass. Buy tickets directly from the railway, not through an agent!

3. Plan your own vacation.

Related to this last point, the strong dollar makes this a great moment for American travelers to reap the benefits of planning their own trips. Buying a tour package can certainly take away some of the headaches of trip planning, but it’ll probably cost you. As many travel agencies set their tour package prices one or two years in advance, the chances are slim that they’re going to pass along the current savings from a strong dollar.

To make sure that you’re taking advantage of this exchange rate, plan your own trip!

When paying with a credit card, stick to euros! Photo: proimos

4. Once abroad, don’t let them convert to dollars at the register.

“Dynamic Currency Conversion” is probably my least favorite “currency” development in recent years. (Granted, it’s a short list.) It works like this: You head to the register to buy a new leather belt in Florence, hand over your credit card, and the cashier shows you an option on the keypad: Would you like to pay in euros or “see what you’ll be charged in dollars”? How thoughtful of them to convert to dollars for you, taking away the mystery of how much you’ll be charged!

Wrong. Stick to the local currency. This “dynamic currency conversion” is actually just a way for the local bank or card processing company to skim a bit more from the transaction. In this case, for example, they’re almost certainly converting the sales price of the belt into dollars at a much lousier rate than your credit card would be using, and then pocketing the difference.

But wait, it gets better: That probably isn’t the final amount you’ll pay, as your credit card will probably still charge you a foreign transaction fee on top of this. The “convenience” of seeing the amount in dollars is coming at the expense of getting a lousy exchange rate and still paying a transaction fee. Just say non!

Note: You might see this same offer at ATMs throughout Europe. I recently experienced this throughout Greece when using my debit card to withdraw cash. Stick to euros!

When abroad, use ATMs to get the best exchange rates. Photo: cloudyip

5. Get euros from ATMs and understand credit card charges.

This point is worth repeating, as many travelers still blow their budgets buying hundreds of euros before leaving for Europe, by paying for travelers checks, and by using expensive currency exchange counters once abroad.

To get money abroad, your best bet is to use your debit card to withdraw cash from bank machines connected to European banks (as opposed to shifty cash machines propped up outside a snack bar on the beach). You will almost certainly get the best exchange rates available to you, and, even though the bank will be making a bit of cash off of the transaction, you will undoubtedly be getting a better rate than you could get from home or from a currency exchange counter.

Important: Before you go, call your bank and ask how much withdrawing cash will cost you. Is there a charge per withdrawal? A percentage? Ask about charges and fees for using your debit and credit cards. If you have multiple cards, chances are one will be cheaper for you to use. (Here are some questions to ask them.)

Finally, if you don’t even use an ATM card back home, as you prefer to head into the bank to withdraw cash the old school way (I’m looking at you mom!), please get an ATM card before you leave for Europe. Just ask your bank, and you should have one within days. It will make your life much easier and help you save. (Just make sure to remember your four-digit PIN code.)

Think Rome will leave your budget in ruins? You might want to re-run those numbers!

6. Reconsider “too-expensive” destinations.

For years, we’ve been writing about how budget travelers should consider “cheapo alternatives” to Europe’s most expensive destinations. Want the sunny weather and beauty of Barcelona, but not the price tag? Consider Lisbon–with its warm climate, friendly locals and much cheaper prices.

While we’re still big fans of Lisbon, it’s worth pointing our that Barcelona and other expensive destinations (we’re looking at you, Rome, Venice, Paris…) that use the euro just got cheaper and are worth reconsidering. Run the numbers. They might just be in your budget again!

Do you know which countries use the euro? Click the map for a full list.

7. Stick to Eurozone countries.

Finally, and most obviously, remember that these savings for American tourists only apply to visiting countries using the euro. As of 2015, the euro is the official currency in the following 19 countries:

Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain. It is also used as a currency in Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City.

While the dollar is stronger against the British Pound than it was last summer ($1.49 for 1 GBP today, versus $1.70 last summer), the change is less dramatic. Still, even pricey London is a better deal for Americans these days!

Your tips?

What ideas do you have for making the dollar even stronger for Americans when traveling abroad? Share with us in our comments section below!

The post 7 Ways to Make Your Travel Dollar Even Stronger Abroad appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.