Try to find hotels within reasonable walking distance of the things you really want to see. Public transportation can be difficult to navigate when you don't speak the language, so budget for cabs. In Venice, that would be gondolas. One afternoon of city tour bus will give you a good overview of the big tourist spots and then you can mark down those things you want to go back and explore on your own. You can also got the hostel route if you really want to save money and don't care about sleeping in a room with strangers.
It used to be, in Europe in general, that when you got to a city you could locate the tourist information office and they would find you a hotel. You would give them your cost parameters and needs (bathroom in the room, location) and they would find you a place. I don't know if they still do that, though, but if they do it's useful to keep in mind in case you have a sudden urge to visit somewhere you hadn't planned.
Invest in a money belt, for passport and extra cash. A purse that has a strap that goes across your body rather than over one shoulder is more likely to deter pickpockets. Don't wear good jewelry, or flash an expensive camera.
Instead of eating in restaurants all the time, pocket some of the rolls from the continental breakfast (likely included in your hotel costs), or locate a good bakery and buy bread, cheese, meat etc. Then make your own lunches or dinners and cut down on food costs. Although, you really do have to eat out at least some of the time - the food in Italy is brilliant. But beware of portions - there are often several courses, and there's a lot of food.
Drink bottled water. Or wine. *g*
See if you can d/l maps of walking tours.
Italy has good train service. It's probably easiest to move from city to city by train than any other way.
GO TO FLORENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2012-04-01 02:16 pm (UTC)It used to be, in Europe in general, that when you got to a city you could locate the tourist information office and they would find you a hotel. You would give them your cost parameters and needs (bathroom in the room, location) and they would find you a place. I don't know if they still do that, though, but if they do it's useful to keep in mind in case you have a sudden urge to visit somewhere you hadn't planned.
Invest in a money belt, for passport and extra cash. A purse that has a strap that goes across your body rather than over one shoulder is more likely to deter pickpockets. Don't wear good jewelry, or flash an expensive camera.
Instead of eating in restaurants all the time, pocket some of the rolls from the continental breakfast (likely included in your hotel costs), or locate a good bakery and buy bread, cheese, meat etc. Then make your own lunches or dinners and cut down on food costs. Although, you really do have to eat out at least some of the time - the food in Italy is brilliant. But beware of portions - there are often several courses, and there's a lot of food.
Drink bottled water. Or wine. *g*
See if you can d/l maps of walking tours.
Italy has good train service. It's probably easiest to move from city to city by train than any other way.
GO TO FLORENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!