<p>Definitely consider the [Scavi</a> Tour](<a href=“http://www.saintpetersbasilica.org/Necropolis/Scavi.htm]Scavi”>http://www.saintpetersbasilica.org/Necropolis/Scavi.htm) beneath St. Peter’s in Rome and visit St. Peter’s Tomb.</p>
<p>We had many fine meals from take out places where we would eat in a nearby park . We also did this a lot in Paris and Sweden . We saved a fortune !</p>
<p>Illinoismom - I PM’d you.</p>
<p>I know people who have had good luck renting apartments and others who haven’t. Personally, I don’t feel comfortable with that option and wouldn’t advise it for novice travelers who don’t speak the language. </p>
<p>We stayed at the Hotel Concordia, Via di Capo Le Case 14, for 110 euros/night. Sharing it with someone would be very reasonable. Room was tiny but air conditioned, free wifi and buffet breakfast included (rooftop dining with magnificent view). It is located about halfway between the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. We walked everywhere and never needed public transportation. Loads of wonderful and not too expensive restaurants around. Italian restaurants were always good about letting us take leftovers with us. We did and put them in our little fridge. There’s also a grocery store around the corner and we bought water and fruit and munchies. It was so hot, we didn’t really feel like eating other than a good breakfast and a late evening (after dark) dinner. Mostly we wanted something cold to drink during the day.</p>
<p>I would never recommend going to Rome in the summer time. It is beastly hot and humid and little AC. But fall should be wonderful and cheaper. Lots of churches and wonderful places to see that don’t require a fee.</p>
<p>IllinoisMom - I used the tour guide that Oldfort recommended, and she was fabulous.</p>
<p>you can save a lot of money by getting food at grocery stores instead of restaurants.</p>
<p>When I backpacked through Europe, I made it on less than $75/day (figure includes food, lodging, train tickets; doesn’t include round trip flight). Some places were more expensive than others.</p>
<p>^ waaay back when, it was “Europe on $5/day.” But, a 2 month Eurail Pass cost a whopping $200 or so.<br>
Tango’s coment brings up a point or two- over on tripadvisor, some are uncomfortable with any language issues and the fact that a European rental usually requires a deposit in Euros. So, for many, an easier option is to use a US co, as archiemom suggested. It also avoids major time zone differences and, when we rented in Paris, I could have effective conversations, get various questions answered. (I know so many people who have had great experiences.)</p>
<p>To oldfort’s point, every flat I’ve ever rented, whether in Italy or the UK, has had an assortment of salt, pepper, olive oil, etc. from previous tenants. Personally, I love shopping and cooking in foreign countries, and the savings, especially with a family, is huge. I also get really tired of hotel rooms and eating out 3 meals a day.</p>
<p>I will say that in my experience many of the rentals in Rome do not accept credit cards, but you can wire the payment in advance. We did not find this to be true in Florence or Venice.</p>
<p>If you do decide to rent in Italy, do pay attention to the “noise level” rating of the apartment–the young men in Florence like to make their motor scooters extra noisy, for instance, and the choice between open windows and sleeping in the summer can be a tough one.</p>
<p>[Journeywoman</a> - Girl Talk Italy](<a href=“http://www.journeywoman.com/girltalk/italy/girl_talk_italy.html]Journeywoman”>http://www.journeywoman.com/girltalk/italy/girl_talk_italy.html)</p>
<p>Journeywoman has some good information. Have a great trip!</p>
<p>I REALLY like the idea of renting an apt. I never even knew that was an option. Which I had known this for earlier times. :)</p>
<p>I am looking at the suggested tours. I have always preferred doing things that way when abroad since otherwise we end up wasting too much time.</p>
<p>Thanks a bunch!!!</p>
<p>M2ck: I’ve had good luck renting apartments from [url=<a href=“http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/europe/italy/latium-lazio/rome/trastevere/sort-by:ReviewCount/descending]VRBO[/url”>http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/europe/italy/latium-lazio/rome/trastevere/sort-by:ReviewCount/descending]VRBO[/url</a>]. I tend to go with apartments that have a lot of reviews (always read the reviews), contact the owner in advance - preferably by phone - to confirm reservation & payment details, and make payments via PayPal linked to a credit card. If you click the VRBO link, you will find apartments in Trastavere, which is nice neighborhood with good public transportation access to the main attractions in Rome. But it also gives you a taste of how the locals live.</p>
<p>We’ve also rented apartments in Italy through VRBO and it worked out very well for our family of 4, more space at a lower cost than a hotel room, and big savings by preparing breakfast and a simple to-go lunch “at home.” That left just one restaurant meal a day, where we didn’t need to pinch pennies. We stayed in a middle-class neighborhood within walking distance of the Colosseum and the ancient Forum, but also just a short walk from a nice grocery and a neighborhood business strip just littered with charming little restaurants that primarily serve the local community, not tourists or high-end foodies, so the meals were authentic, ample, delicious, and moderately priced. Romans love to eat, they’ve all got their regular spots, and the restaurateurs love to serve them; we felt as if we had been invited into the dining room of large extended family. Delightful.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t want to have a car in Rome; craziness. After some time in Rome I might look to rent an apartment in Florence, a relatively short train ride to the north, 2 hours or less. Florence is relatively small and compact and you can see all the major sites in just a few days, so I’d think about renting a car and driving out into the Tuscan countryside around Florence, which is just gorgeous, and the food at some of the country inns is equally delightful.</p>
<p>We’ve rented through vrbo in both Rome and Florence. PM me if you’d like the listings. Rome 2010 Campo dei Fiori, up 50 steps! Hey, it’s the old part of the city. Small place, perfect for two.</p>
<p>Florence 2006, 3BR 2 Ba at street level just steps from historic district. </p>
<p>Loved both. Not perfect, not like home, but very fun to live like a local, shop the markets, dine on the patio, etc.</p>
<p>When you’re saving money on the lodging, it’s easy to just take a taxi when you just don’t wat to walk…</p>
<p>I don’t think I’ve seen a number, but what is the total budget for your friend?</p>
<p>I would do Rick Steves Venice, Florence and Rome in 10 days tour.
Or the Heart of Italy (9 days).
Prices are $3,195 and $2,795 per person, respectively.</p>
<p>If you figure that includes all hotel, transportation (not the flight over), guides, entrance fees, museums, tips, most food…really you only pay for one meal a day sometimes and that’s about it, it adds up to a pretty good deal. And far better to take a shorter trip and get so much more out of it. No planning, they do it all, and take you to see and do the best of everything in the area, at the perfect times. No waiting, and a great time.</p>
<p>Warning: Inexpensive hotels in Rome are often not air-conditioned. So if you are going in the summer time this would be an uncomfortable option. Rome is hot and muggy in the summer.</p>
<p>Money-saving tips: The city bus system is cheap and reasonably reliable. You buy bus tickets in tobacconist kiosks. Next step up would be the metro. It’s pretty good and cheaper than taxis, although it doesn’t cover the entire city.</p>
<p>I would recommend getting the Roma Pass. You can buy this in central Rome on arrival - you can check out their website for the details but I think it gives you free admission to several museums, discounted to others and free access to bus and subway for a certain number of days starting when you pick up the pass.
Rome can be a very inexpensive city to explore - you’ll see a ton just by walking everywhere!<br>
I think I am the CC poster who recommended the Rome tour guide referenced above - she is really great, but not inexpensive.<br>
I’ve spent time in Rome in November and early March, and both were good times for walking around - the weather was pleasant, in the 60’s.
Trains to Florence are reasonably priced.
Definitely echo coureur above on the AC in inexpensive hotels - my younger son was in Rome at the end of July and found a great price on a hotel in a great neighborhood (Aventino) where he had lived in Rome while studying abroad, but it was a bit toasty!</p>
<p>Rome is a very walkable city. We never needed any other form of transportation.</p>
<p>Mom2kids- can you give some rough ballpark of what you think the budget will be, minus airfare? Is Busdriver’s $3k plus air near what you’re thinking? Because each of us has our own styles and prefs. Were you thinking of a complete packaged tour or are you already comfortable travelers who just need the occasional morning or full-day tour?</p>
<p>My comment about taxis was just in respect to the days/times when you’ve done all the walking you can and want to indulge.</p>