Italian Tours | Tour of the Italian Gardens 2024 (2023)

FAQs

How much money do I need for 2 weeks in Italy? ›

Those looking to experience Italy on a shoestring could spend two weeks here for around €1,320 ($1,420) excluding flights. However, if you're looking to avoid hostels & dine at the occasional restaurant or two, a €2,000 budget per person (excluding flights) is likely a more realistic figure.

How much time should I spend in Italy? Although there is enough to do in Italy to fill a week, we recommend a stay of at least ten days for a complete Italy experience. However, if you've only got a couple of days in Italy, you will still be able to cover many of the main highlights of the country.

Planning a trip to Italy should be done one year to six months in advance, but there are a few things that need to wait until just before you leave.

Italy's best travel months are May, June, September, and October. They're also the busiest and most expensive time to visit (with the north remaining just as busy throughout midsummer). Crowds aside, these months combine the convenience of peak season with pleasant weather.

Although Italy is world famous for its wide variety of coffee, the average cup of coffee will only cost you about $1.33. In Italy, coffee is enjoyed throughout the entire day: morning, evening, and even after dinner.

You hardly need any cash at all. You can use your credit or debit card wherever there is a PoS (point of sale) machine. Your card needs to be on the Mastercard or VISA international network to function. (Most businesses in Italy refuse Amex and Diners because they charge too much commission.)

“Aside from winter travel, shoulder season (March through May and September through November) is known for cheap Italy deals,” he shared. If you can hold out until the end of the spring shoulder season, you'll be rewarded with pleasant temperatures in the mid to high 70s across the country, according to WeatherSpark.

For first-time visitors, 2 weeks in Italy is the perfect amount of time to hit the country's most famous and classic spots, see which ones you love, and (if you're anything like us) fall head-over-heels in love with the country to the point that you'll leave planning your next trip back.

If you want glamour, beaches, and easier travel between towns then the Amalfi Coast is perfect for you, whereas if you're looking to get more off the beaten track and explore some incredible coastline then Cinque Terre is your best choice.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to Italy

High season is considered to be June and July. The cheapest month to fly to Italy is February.

When should you avoid crowds in Italy? ›

The best time to visit Italy is during spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November), when the temperatures are comfortable and there are fewer crowds. Wildflowers in early April and rising temperatures through to the end of June are a real draw.

Summer (June – August) is peak season in Italy. Peak season, particularly the months of July and August (and even extending into the first two weeks of September), is generally considered a very busy and expensive time to visit Italy's cities and major tourist areas like the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre.

November is usually the rainy season in Italy, although the sun in the south still shines quite often. In the spring, from March to mid-April, the weather can be sunny and mild, but also cold and wet: it is a rather unstable period.

August is a unique month to visit Italy because it's when locals close shop and go on vacation. That translates to you, the tourist, in a few different ways.

First off, tipping in Italy is neither mandatory nor expected, but if you do decide to do so, the gesture is a very clear indicator that you appreciated the service provided.

After midday Italians drink their coffee black and will happily continue drinking into the evening. Later in the day, they may well add a slug of grappa or other liquor to their espresso to create a caffè corretto, but they would never consider adding milk.

Thou shalt only drink cappuccino, caffé latte, latte macchiato or any milky form of coffee in the morning, and never after a meal. Italians cringe at the thought of all that hot milk hitting a full stomach. An American friend of mine who has lived in Rome for many years continues, knowingly, to break this rule.

In Italy, cash is still preferred in most restaurants, cafes and other establishments, although credit and debit cards are becoming more widely used throughout Italy and are an increasingly convenient way to pay for things. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, although American Express is not.

Is it better to use card or cash in Italy? ›

MasterCard and VISA are the most commonly accepted cards. You will get a better exchange rate by using your credit card, as opposed to exchanging US dollars in Italy. Keep in mind that if you pay cash, you're more likely to get a discount in an independently owned store, if you ask for it.

Milan. Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) is one of the cheapest airports to fly to in Italy. It's an amazing home base for those looking to explore the fashion-forward city of Milan and the surrounding region of Lombardy.

ITA Airways, KLM, Delta, Air France, Iberia, United, British Airways and American Airlines all fly non-stop to Italy.

Traveling Italy by train is more cheap and convenient than by car. In fact, traveling by car can be quite expensive for tourists.

Lake Como is one of the most beautiful lakes in northern Italy. The views are not only confined to the lake – the surroundings are just as stunning. The mountains, sunsets, villas, and small towns provide a perfect escape from Milan or any other big city. It is absolutely worth visiting!

It takes an average of 1h 36m to travel from Rome to Florence by train, over a distance of around 144 miles (232 km). There are normally 69 trains per day traveling from Rome to Florence and tickets for this journey start from $10.03 when you book in advance.

Yes, absolutely! If you're passionate about food and like authentic Italian culture and architecture, then Bologna is the place for you. There's so much to experience in Bologna and it's the perfect gateway to exploring the Emilia Romagna region. I say go, definitely go.

Vernazza: Located to the north of the Cinque Terre, Vernazza is probably the most beautiful and picturesque fishing village of Cinque Terre, where its colourful houses hang above the sea level on rugged cliffs. It has a charming natural port and an old castle, built to protect the area from pirates.

Manarola. With its multicoloured houses hidden high in the hills overlooking the sea, Manarola is one of the most charming villages of the Cinque Terre, and widely considered to be the most beautiful.

Positano has a greater selection of shops and restaurants. They also have far better beaches. What is this? For art galleries and historic attractions, Amalfi has the lead here with the Duomo, the Carta (Paper) Museum, the Maritime Arsenal Museum, and more.

Which city in Italy is cheapest to visit? ›

The cost of a trip to Italy for a week will vary depending on your travel style and preferences. A budget traveler can expect to spend around 800-1000 euros, while a mid-range traveler can expect to spend around 1500-2000 euros. Luxury travelers can expect to spend upwards of 3000 euros.

The closest international airport to the Amalfi coast is in Naples (the Capodichino airport), but many people prefer to fly into Rome, as it's cheaper.

Italian dinner or la cena, usually from 8:00 to 10:00pm, is another time that Italians enjoy sitting down together and socializing. Dinner can be much later than 10:00pm, especially if eating out or dining at a friend's house.

Punctuality is not tight in social situations. In Italy, 'on time' can mean 20, 30 or even 45 minutes late. Open doors for the elderly. Men often open doors for women.

Most Italians do have a peculiar notion of punctuality and being 15, 20 or even 30 minutes late for a social situation is generally seen as perfectly acceptable – much to the dismay of people from countries where lateness is viewed as rude or inconsiderate.

The two shoulder seasons on the Amalfi Coast are September to October and April to May. They also happen to be two of the best times to visit, since the days tend to be sunny and warm. With fewer crowds and minimal rain, both are ideal times to enjoy the scenery.

Italy has a mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and mild winters. If you're a sunseeker the best time to visit Italy is between June and September. The hottest month of the year is July with an average daily maximum of 24 C and an average low of 17 C.

Imperia. Imperia occupies first place in the ranking thanks to its very few heat waves. Imperia Italy weather is characterised by pleasant year round temperatures.

The main natural disasters Italy suffers are floods, earthquakes, and forest fires. Flooding can be quite common in Venice.

What is the coldest season in Italy? ›

Even though air temperatures can be mild, December, January, and February are still the coldest months of the year fin Italy so plan for a bit of chill and damp.

The riposo - Italy's midday siesta

In Italy, it is called riposo. This traditional early afternoon shutdown varies from business to business, but usually lasts about 90 minutes to two hours. It may begin anywhere from noon and 1:30pm and run until anywhere from 2:30 to 4pm.

Most bars and caffè are open 7 am–8 or 9 pm. Almost all restaurants close one day a week (in most cases Sunday or Monday) and for at least two weeks in August.

In Italy siesta is known as riposo. Shops are closed midday for three hours or so, that way Italians get to go home, rest, and be with family. Riposo to Italians means enjoying a home cooked meal and spending time with family.

Although there is enough to do in Italy to fill a week, we recommend a stay of at least ten days for a complete Italy experience. However, if you've only got a couple of days in Italy, you will still be able to cover many of the main highlights of the country.

On average you can expect a trip to Italy to cost €70-295 per person per day (around $74 to $310 USD).

A mid-range traveler might spend around 150-250 euros per day, or 450-750 euros total, for a 2-night, 3-day trip to Italy. This would include comfortable accommodation, local transportation, meals at mid-range restaurants, and some paid sightseeing activities.

How much money will you need for your trip to Italy? You should plan to spend around €167 ($184) per day on your vacation in Italy, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, €45 ($50) on meals for one day and €26 ($29) on local transportation.

It's always a good idea to have some extra cash on hand for emergencies or unexpected expenses. For a 10-day trip, you can expect to spend around €50-€200 on miscellaneous expenses. In total, for a 10-day trip to Italy, you can expect to spend around €700-€2700, depending on your travel style, preferences, and budget.

First off, tipping in Italy is neither mandatory nor expected, but if you do decide to do so, the gesture is a very clear indicator that you appreciated the service provided.

Is $100 a day enough for Europe? ›

Backpackers should expect to spend between $40 – $70 USD/day in Eastern Europe, $70 – $100/day in Western Europe, and $150 – $200/day in the Nordic countries.

Dinner in Italy is an event; Italians love to linger over each of the many courses and chat late into the night. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant, for one person, is usually around $18 to $20, whereas a meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant, with drinks, will typically cost around $70 to $80.

While meal prices in Lake Garda can vary, the average cost of food in Lake Garda is €42 per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Lake Garda should cost around €17 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner.

Lunch in Italy is also usually a simple and inexpensive affair, even if you go out to a restaurant. For a mid-range restaurant meal, you shouldn't expect to pay more than $15 or $20. And if you're eating at a deli or sandwich shop, the cost of your lunch isn't likely to exceed $10.

Living in Italy is significantly less expensive than living in the U.S. The simplest reason is that housing and health insurance costs are much lower. But it doesn't stop there.

First, understand that Italy is a very cash-oriented society, so make sure you never end up with zero cash in your wallet. To buy small things, like coffee, you'll need cash. You'll also need cash at all outdoor markets, for most taxis, and at many restaurants.

It is best to exchange your cash at a bank in your home country before arriving to avoid the fees at exchange offices. The fastest and easiest way to exchange your money is to take money directly out of an ATM (Bancomat in Italian).

Paying with cash in Italy

Italy is a cash-based society compared to other major economies in Europe: Cash is king. Use your card in almost as many places as you would in the US and other countries.

You can find great deals as low as €9 that include water and coffee. Other great lunch options are the classic trattorias and osterias, offering pasta dishes ranging from €9–14, and second courses from €12–20. For a sit-down lunch at a traditional Roman restaurant, budget around €15–20 per person.

Do I need cash in Venice? ›

Since the prices in Venice are relatively high, 100-Euro bills are usually accepted. With 200 euro notes or even 500 euro notes one has problems in many shops. Venice pickpockets etc. The problem with traveling with cash is the risk of theft.