In 2023, we will celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. To celebrate this momentous event, we are headed to Venice, Northern Italy, and Switzerland.
What to eat in Naples by a local foodie! Discover the authentic Neapolitan dishes, with tips on where to go, also on a budget!
A complete Genoa Food Guide to traditional Ligurian food and things to do for foodies including food tours and more. See what food in Genoa is really all about!
Thinking about visiting Italy over the Christmas holidays? Christmas, or Natale in Italian, is full of lights, outdoor markets and nativity scenes. To help you plan your Italian holiday in December I’ve included: National Holidays to plan around, learn about and take part in Weather to consider positives and negatives My favorite region, Umbria! Not …
Straight out of an old Italian film, the first Sunday of June villages across Italy celebrate La Fiorita (or Corpus Domini), a relgious holiday by decorating the streets in flower petals followed by a procession through town led by the priest, clergy, band, mayor & townspeople (men & women separated of course). This is one of the most beautiful traditions of Piobbico, not only the because of the flower petals on the streets but the townspeople that come together to decorate our little village. An hour before the procession, the townspeople gather with boxes over-flowing with sweet smelling flowers & vibrant colored petals of roses, lilies & daisies. A friendly neighbor has come by early & created frames with sprigs of rosemary to be filled with pictures made of flowers. From young to old they meticulously place each petal with pride. As the priest leads the villagers through town sharing blessings, he breaks through this most beautiful offering. I nod at the Mayor with a smile, wink at 13 year old Mariellena whom I tutor in English, acknowledging the plumber too as he passes. I love being part this community and sharing in the traditions of this wonderful Italian culture!
Planning to spend 2 days in Genoa? Check out the best itinerary and more travel tips from a local to discover the real Ligurian charm.
Medieval alleyways, Renaissance palaces, evidence of the crusaders, discover the best of this beautiful city and its heritage recognized by UNESCO!
Visiting the magical Amalfi Coast? Here's the best Amalfi Coast Itinerary for 3 to 5 days, including everything you need for an amazing trip!
Genoa is not a common stop for tourists, but I think this town is well worth a visit! My favorite meal from our 15 day Italy trip came from Genoa!
Visit Genoa and discover charm, history and amazing food. With so many great things to do in Genoa, you should add it to the list for your next trip to Italy.
Discover the capital of Liguria, Genoa! The most beautiful region of Italy. This Genoa blog post includes day trips and fun things to do in Genoa.
Read our guide to beaches, hikes, boat trips, food and all the best things to do in the gorgeous jewel of the Amalfi Coast #positanoamalficoast #positanoitaly
Positano Beach is famous for its colorful buildings, restaurants, and the perfect location for honeymooners. Here are 12+ things to do in Positano...
There are many films that celebrate the beauties of Italy, with its views, romantic charm and naturalistic beauties, Italy has always served as a stage for great films
From Rio de Janeiro and Barbados to Venice and Nigeria, these carnival celebrations make for an absolutely unforgettable trip.
Thanks to its complex geological composition, Italy is punctuated by natural hot springs. We chart some of the best across the country, from Tuscany to Sicily.
Italy in December can make for a surprisingly pleasant visit - fewer tourists, holiday lights, snow in the mountains, and seasonal foods.
Learn when and how the beloved holiday of Ferragosto originated and developed.
What is Eurochocolate? The most delicious festival in all of Europe was started in 1994 with the idea of imitating Oktoberfest- but this time with chocolate! This amazing festival was started by Eugenia Guarducci.
Discover the vibrant charm of Piazza Tasso in Sorrento: a bustling hub of culture, cafes, and history, where Italian spirit thrives.
Wondering how much does a trip to Italy cost? You've come to the right place! If you've only just started planning your Italy trip, you're probably wondering how much you should budget for it. In
Planning a trip to Italy or hoping to someday? Italy holidays are my expertise! Here is the perfect 10 days in Italy itinerary.
Need some destination inspiration for a trip to Italy? Here's my guide to 11 ways to spend 1 week in Italy, with 12 sample itineraries. One week in Italy might not seem like much time. But, with some advance planning and ambition, you can definitely have a bucket list adventure.
Experience the best of Italy with our ultimate 7-day Italy itinerary! Whether it's adventure, relaxation, or a little bit of everything, we've got you covered.
Just 121 kilometers (75 miles) north of Rome, Orvieto is a popular place to take a day trip from the Italian capital. The small city, situated on a rocky tuff outcrop, is replete with medieval
We've been to Italy three times and still feel like we haven't seen it all so I'm sure you can already guess that a 10 day Italy itinerary will really only give you a tiny
This 10 days in Italy itinerary will help you plan your perfect trip to Italy! It provides a detailed itinerary of the best stops.
Visiting Italy in June: all you need to know to plan a trip! The best places to visit in June in Italy, when to book what, what to expect from the weather.
A full breakdown of my trip to Italy cost. See how you can plan and afford your perfect Italian vacation. Includes free things to do!
Let’s start with the premise that seven days in Italy aren’t enough to see everything my beautiful country has to offer. I’m Italian, I lived in Italy for 18 years and have travelled extensively around
If you're wondering what is the best time to visit Italy you'll want to read this article. Learn about the best months to visit Italy, seasonal changes and the high / low seasons.Truthfully, Italy is a beautiful place to visit at any time of the year, as pizza and raviolli will get you through any season. However depending on the type of weather you prefer, and the budget you have, you may want to be careful when choosing a month to visit Italy.
If you are searching for the perfect 10 days in Italy itinerary, you've come to the right place! This guide takes you to Italy's classic cities: Rome, Florence, and Venice. In ten days, you'll also have time for charming side trips to some of the most beautiful towns in Italy. And, if you want to stay even longer in Italy, I've got options for that too.
Hoping to spend the perfect 7 days in Italy? This one-week in Italy itinerary includes everything to see in this beautiful European country!
Planning a trip to Italy or hoping to someday? Italy holidays are my expertise! Here is the perfect 10 days in Italy itinerary.
Enhance your itinerary by visiting some of the best hidden gems in Italy. These Italy secret spots will a perfect for your trip.
10 day Italy itinerary ideas for independent travelers Classic Italy itinerary for first time visitors and alternatives for returning visitors
Discover Italy's sun-soaked gems! Unveil the best summer destinations, from idyllic beaches to historic towns, in our comprehensive guide. Explore now!
Venice is one of the most charming and romantic cities in the world, making it a top travel destination in Italy. This is a place to indulge in quaint markets, gorgeous architecture, and delicious food and wine, but the entire region has a lot to offer tourists as well. After visiting Venice, you can take […]
Family trip to Italy: How much does a trip to Italy cost? This summary of costs for a trip to Italy will help you see how much for a trip to Italy
Italy is a dream destination for many, but it’s an expensive one as well! With the Euro being strong against the US dollar, and many things being generally expensive, planning a budget trip to Italy can be a challenge. While it’s a challenge, it’s totally do-able! Finding Cheap Flights to Italy Especially for Americans, flights are one of the most expensive parts of the trip. It can be hard to find good budget flights, but one of the keys is to be open to where you arrive and depart from. Using Kiwi.com or Skyscanner.com can yield great deals. You should absolutely be setting up alerts to find the best deals. Check Different Airports There are times it can be cheaper to fly into Naples than into Rome, and Naples is an easy hour train ride away from the eternal city. Because of the amount of business, Milan is also a hub for cheaper flights into Italy. Don’t be hung up on only flying into Venice or Rome – look around at all of your options to find the best flights. Try Different Combinations of Round-Trip or One-Way Flights It can sometimes be far cheaper to book two one-way flights than a round-trip package. The other thing is to reconsider which airport you’re leaving from. The cheapest flights to Italy are frequently found out of LA, New York City, Miami, Chicago and Dallas. It can sometimes be a good idea to book the flights out of one of those cities, and then simply add on the round trip flights to your home. When you start mixing and matching plane tickets, you do increase your risks of missing a flight. Make sure you book good layover windows, and you should be good to go. You’ll also want to make sure you pack with just carry-on luggage, as when you’re connecting on two different tickets, there will be no one to transfer your checked luggage for you. You can transfer your own luggage by claiming and then re-checking it, but that opens up a different section of concerns. You have to make sure not just that you have the time to do it, but that you’ve got the visas to enter the country where you’re connecting. Finding a Cheap Place to Stay in Italy After flights, accommodations are easily one of the biggest drains on your budget. Hotels in Italy are expensive – no two ways about it! Your best options for finding a cheap place to stay are either finding an AirBnB you can split with friends, or getting creative. Consider looking at hostels – most hostels offer a free breakfast as well! And most hostels offer private rooms, so you get the benefits of both a hostel and a hotel. Check your expectations for the accommodation as well. You won’t be getting five-star luxury on a budget. Cheaper hotels in Italy are frequently less nice than similarly cheap hotels in the US. Be prepared for thin walls, and be prepared for there to be no elevator. For AirBnBs, if you can find one place to stay for your whole trip, you might be able to find significant savings. AirBnB offers the hosts the ability to discount the property if someone stays a whole week or more. These can frequently be significant. Also, on AirBnBs, the cleaning fee is typically the same regardless of how long you stay – so switching to three different AirBnBs could really add up! Staying at an Agroturismo in Italy Italy has a type of accommodation that’s called an “Agroturismo” which means it promotes agro-tourism. You’ll find them throughout the country, but you’ll find many in Tuscany. To be an Agroturismo, the inn or hotel must get a significant percentage of the revenues from agriculture and not from tourism. These are small, family-run properties that give an incredible sense of everyday life in Italy. While these are frequently much cheaper than hotels, be aware of a few things that can make them more expensive. Most are in rural areas, so you’ll need a rental car or very expensive taxi to reach them. You’ll likely be buying food on property, because there’s not much close. This is one area where you might get an incredible meal, but it can be very expensive. An Agroturismo is an experience unlike any other – just prepare for all of the costs involved! Finding Cheap Food in Italy Luckily, the food is amazing all over Italy. Even the cheap eats are absolutely fantastic! I am a big believer in saving money on food by focusing on having two meals a day, and then interspersing those with snacks. And, because eating takes time, I’ve found that plan to free up more time for sightseeing! I focus on having a big breakfast. I generally try to find a hotel or hostel with a free breakfast, or I get breakfast foods from a nearby grocery store. Midday, when I’m getting hungry, I’ll find some pastries, gelato, or other snacks to tide me over. (In fact, the snacks can frequently be the best part!) One thing to note is that if you want coffee in Italy, you can order it “al banco” for the cheapest rate. You’ll find that cafes have standing bars where Italians will drink their coffee standing. It’s cheaper than sitting down for your coffee! At the evening meal, be aware that you’ll typically get charged a setup fee for the table and bread – when that’s on your receipt, you aren’t getting scammed. You will have to pay for a drink; water is not free and is typically bottled. In the North of Italy, you’ll find the wonderful “appertivo” where you typically get free snacks to munch on with your drinks in the very early evening. Don’t be afraid to try the street food. The street food in Italy is excellent, and is prepared to high standards. In Naples, there are fantastic fried, folded pizzas (and so much more!). Try it all, and stay away from the touristy places. Anywhere with pictures of the food on the menu is going to be expensive for what it’s serving. Saving Money on Italy Tours When you visit the different landmarks around Italy, it can be tempting to get a guided tour, either for a day or the whole trip. Guided tours will generally be more expensive than if you did the tour yourself, but they do have the ease of you not having to coordinate everything! Dig around for some of the cheaper, but absolutely amazing tours in Italy. The Vatican Scavi Tour takes you all the way under St. Peter’s Cathedral to see the bones of St. Peter himself. And all for just 15 Euro! But, it’s an exclusive tour you have to book early, so be prepared! Rather than hiring a guide for Herculaneum and Pompeii, get a recorded tour on your phone. These are available through a number of different apps, and for sites all over Italy. They can be a great way to get the background a tour guide would give you for much cheaper. The other bonus is that you can go at your own pace! On the first Sunday of every month, the state museums in Italy are free and open to the public. If you can plan your trip around this, this is a great way to save a ton on museum admission costs. (But be prepared for crowds! Below is a picture of the crowds at the David statue in Florence on the first Sunday) Are City Passes a Good Deal in Italy? This depends on which city pass you’re looking at, and how much you’re going to use it. The Naples city pass includes the city’s public transit, two entrance fees, and then half off every other entrance fee. If you’re going to see Pompeii, Herculaneum, and the Archaeological Museum, it’s absolutely a good deal! Most of the city passes are like this, but do the research ahead of time to figure out if you’re going to get your money’s worth out of them (and how to get the best value for it!). Saving Money on Italy Souvenirs Before you go, decide what kind of souvenir you want. Maybe it’s incredible olive oil from Tuscany. Or a leather bag from Florence. Or an intricate mask from Venice. Maybe you’ll want a glass vase from Murano. Whatever it is, decide ahead of time what you’re looking for, and research the best way to buy it. The biggest Italian souvenirs all have knock-offs and scams, so you’ll want to know ahead of time how to research those. You’ll also want to research general prices for things, so you know whether or not the shop is a good deal. Saving Money on Transportation in Italy The best plan for saving money on transportation in Italy is to use as much public transit as possible. Taxis and private cars are extraordinarily expensive. The cost of a rental is also high, and frequently you’ll have to pay high prices for parking. The trains in Italy are fantastic, fast, and can be cheap. The earlier you book your ticket, the better of a discount you can get. If you travel on the weekends, you can generally find 2 for 1 TrenItalia fares as well. Make sure to plan how to get from the airport to where you’re staying. Cabs from the airport can be one of the biggest places you’ll spend money that’s avoidable. If you need a cab to your hotel, it can be cheaper to take public transit from the airport to the city center, and then hail a cab on from there. A Budget Trip to Italy A budget trip to Italy can still be an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Prepare for it carefully, and you’ll get the most out of it!
Traveling to Italy? Get inspired with this advisor-curated itinerary – Two Weeks in Italy: Dolce Vita in Rome, Florence and Puglia.
Italy in May - It's a beautiful time to visit almost anywhere in Italy. In some places, it's the best time to visit!
