Piazza and doomy, girls and gentlemen, pizza, pasta, Gelato, wine, cheese. A lot of plans, and the budget is limited, especially with the current exchange rate. But not all that bad! Show you how to save money in Italian journey.
Want to Italy
GENERAL GUIDELINES
Bring cash and use the multi-currency card
Universal advice for anyone travelling to Europe bring with you euros. To withdraw money from card — not the best option can take a percentage for the use of the ATM is not your Bank. And better to travel with a multi-currency card in this case will not be of interest for conversion to the Euro.
Don’t forget the tax on the sleep
“The tax” — say at the reception. Wait, how? After all, you paid for it. And here and there, in Italy there is a city tax for accommodation for tourists. Moreover, it differs not only in different cities but also in hotels depending on the star. For example, in hostels will pay from 1.5 to 3 euros per night, three stars, 3-4 in five-star hotels — from 5 to 7 euros. Before booking, examine on the website whether the tax is and what he is.
FOOD
Shopping for local
As we have in Italy supermarkets are expensive and more budget. The second are products of their brands, for which prices are even lower. Want to save — look for signs Lidl, Penny Market and Coop. Very tiny mini-markets usually are in the center, but if you want a great choice, will have to go to a supermarket somewhere closer to the edge.
Cook himself
If you have apartments with kitchen or hostel, prepare yourself. This is a wonderful way to not only save money, but also how to taste the local products, and excellent quality. Buy homemade pasta, artichokes, prepare a light tomato sauce, slice the tomatoes and mozzarella, melon and prosciutto, take a bottle of Prosecco — dinner’s ready. And it will cost much cheaper than in the restaurant.
Water balance
The Italians drink water from the tap, and just enough to take a bottle that can be filled at a hotel or drinking fountains. Last lot on the tourist streets and around the sights. If the fountain there are no extra plates, you can drink the water. But if it says “Non potabile”, pass: these are the fountains of water.
Healthy snack
Go to the local market — the mercato (just type that word in Google Maps or look on the city map). Each seller will be happy to share their product: cheese, prosciutto, fruits, vegetables, nuts. You can try for free, and the quality of the products in the markets are usually very high.
Secret places
It would not like to eat pizza with a view of the Pantheon or pasta in front of the Duomo, to not do this. 99% of that is tasteless and 100% expensive. And never go to the place where you beckoning the waiter. And if Russian menu stretches, just run!
All the best hidden in courtyards and back streets. Go to the conversations in Italian and laughter. Better yet, ask the local where to eat.
Invaluable service
In many restaurants, especially in tourist areas, there is a percentage for service and maintenance — coperto, which may reach 12%. It depends on the popularity of the restaurant and even time of day (usually the evening of the above). If you don’t like surprises, find out in advance the waiter about extra charges. But keep in mind that the coperto for you, most likely, will bring a basket of fresh bread and local olive oil.
A nice bonus
In the popular cafes and restaurants, local favorite, always turn. Tables at such places it is better to book in advance. And here’s a secret: sometimes, when you reserve a table through the portal or the TripAdvisor app, you can get a discount up to 30% or a compliment from the restaurant.
Coffee in a hurry
If you want Italian coffee, then he walks into the school, drinks a Cup of espresso or cappuccino directly at the bar. Otherwise you’ll have to pay a coperto, and coffee will cost several times more expensive.
Don’t forget to accompany
The aperitif is not just to go and have a drink before dinner. In many cafes and bars of Italy it’s the whole experience. To the ordered drink you get different snacks, or even access to the buffet. Usually about misleading aperitif on the stands in front of the cafe or you can check with the waiter. In Rome, Florence and Milan aperitif+buffet can be found at 9-11 euros to Genoa for 8 euros, and in Naples for 6-7. Usually in this menu nuts, bruschetta, mini pizzas, olives, slice of cheese, prosciutto or vegetables.
Morning in Italian
Eat Breakfast like an Italian — hearty, budget and aesthetically pleasing. No scrambled eggs, sausages and sandwiches with sausage. Instead, there — the Italian equivalent of a croissant, but sweeter. And, speaking of there local mean Breakfast. In many places you will see: coffee and “croissant” with toppings. The cost will be 3 euros, but in local places and at all to the Euro.
TRANSPORT
The trip
If arriving and departing from one airport, then buy a transfer back and forth from online. For example, the bus to Rome 5,80 euros and there and back again — 9 Euro (the company Terravision). The money saved can buy Gelato.
Walking tour
Go around the city on foot. Italian cities are not as large, it is possible to move quietly on foot. In extreme cases, use public transport. One trip — about 1.5 euros, you can do transplants in a period of 100 minutes. Or buy a travel pass for 1 day 7 2 days 12.5 and 3 days — 18 Euro per person. Taxi or Uber will significantly hit the pocket.
Adventures on the bus
If you decide to travel to Italy, do not rush to buy the train tickets. Yeah, they’re pretty fast, the views spectacular, but the prices bite. There is a wonderful company Flixbus buses which will be delivered to any place, cheap and less comfortable. And, you can use the services of Blablacar and ride with the locals.
ATTRACTIONS
Free guide
Want to learn more about the city? No tents with the inscription in Russian “Tour”! In every city there are free guided walks daily, look on the Internet on “free tour Roma” or “Napoli on foot”.
Tourist
If you have big travel plans with a visit to all sites in the short term, we recommend you first think about saving time and money. Buy tickets online on the websites. You can’t imagine how much time and nerves will cost you to turn into popular museums.
You can still buy a tourist card for 1/2/3 day, which will give the opportunity to be virtually no queues at the main museums of the city. And in some museums you can buy a single ticket. For example, a ticket in the popular Roman Colosseum also includes the entrance to the Forum and Palatine hill. Cash latest located literally a hundred meters from the Colosseum, and the queue there is usually no.