When to Go:

November to Easter is Low Season (roughly), meaning that’s when you’ll find the lowest-priced airfares and accommodations. This excludes Christmas week, ski season in northern resorts, and Carnevale in Venice.

Planning:

• Staying in one place obviously cuts down transportation costs, and makes for a more tranquil vacation. For example, you may consider basing yourself in Rome and taking a day trip to Florence (one-and-a-half-hour train ride)—See masterpieces, have a bistecca for lunch, watch an awesome sunset over the Arno, and be back in Rome for a nightcap.
• Consider a Tour Package. There are loads to choose from that offer low prices for airfare and hotels. Check out offerings from Perillo Tours (www.perillotours.com), and Trafalgar Tours (www.trafalgar.com).

Airfare:

• Flexibility is key to finding bargains. Flying mid-week will save money, and you may consider flying into London, Paris, Amsterdam, or Frankfurt and then switching to a low-cost European carrier, using www.whichbudget.com to search for the best deal. Just be sure to check for added fees (such as checked luggage) on the European carriers.
• Good Websites to Check for Good Deals:

  www.momondo.com

  www.skyscanner.com

• Sign Up for Airfare Alerts: You can put in your route (for example JFK-Rome) on websites such as www.airfarewatchdog.com and you’ll be notified about sales.
• Follow airlines on Twitter: For up-to-the-minute notices on sales.
• Use a travel agent: It sounds old fashioned, and you’ll probably be charged a fee (around $25), but these pros are up on fare fluctuations and have access to inventories that can save you money.

Airport Transfers:

• Plan ahead, so you don’t get stuck with a big taxi bill upon arrival. Major cities have low-cost, suitcase-friendly transportation that runs regularly to and from their airports. In Rome, the Leonardo Express Train, (www.trenitalia.it) or bus (www.terravision.eu or www.sitabusshuttle.com), in Milan, the Malpensa Express Train (www.malpensaexpress.it). My favorite in Venice is the Alilaguna waterbus (www.alilaguna.it), cheaper and less scenic is the bus to the train station (www.atvo.it, www.actv.it), and in Florence there is the Vola in Bus (www.aeroporto.firenze.it.net).

Traveling within Italy

• Low prices on train travel are available if you plan ahead. Check TrenItalia or the newer train service Italo Treno (www.itaolotreno.it), which also offers promotions and features comfortable seating, free WiFi, a cinema car, and food by Eataly.
• Buses are sometimes a more inexpensive way to go. And in the case of getting to Siena from Rome or Florence, that’s your best option. Check SENA Autolinee (www.ibus.it) and SITA (www.sitabus.it) for information.
• Flying from city to city on a low-cost carrier can save money and time. Check www.whichbudget.com to compare fares, and be sure to read the fine print for added fees.
• For low cost car rentals, use Auto Europe (www.autoeurope.com).

Accommodations

• For hotel discounts, check www.booking.com or the hotel website for promotional deals.
• There are lots of hotel alternatives where you can save money. B&Bs (with private bathrooms) and apartment rentals are great options. Villas, when shared with a group, are also budget-friendly.

Some of my favorite sites are:

• For B&Bs, apartments, villas, and farmhouses: www.bbitalia.it, www.bed-and-breakfast.it, www.airbnb.com, www.flipkey.com, www.homeaway.com, www.vrbo.com
• Agriturismos (a great way to experience the Italian countryside): www.agriturismo.it
• Convent or monastery stays: www.monasterystays.com
• Hostels (these vary from dorm-style to family-friendly apartment set-ups): www.hostelworld.com, www.italian-hostels.com

Eating

You can eat well in Italy without spending a bundle. Do some restaurant research (check out my Resource suggestions), avoid the obvious tourist spots near the major sights, and you’ll be on the delicious track. Often one major sit-down meal a day will be satisfying, with lunch being the best choice for fancier eateries. House wine is generally good and inexpensive. As far as tipping, 10 per cent is fine—unless a “servizio” charge has already been added to your bill, in which case the tip has been included in your bill.

• Follow the locals to tavola caldas (cafeteria-style places), pizzerias for dinner, or wine bars where you can fill up on delicious small plates of local specialties. Many cities, particularly in the north, have ’Appy Hours, where an antipasti buffet is spread out between 6 and 9 P.M., so for the price of a drink you can enjoy such goodies as focaccia, cheeses, and salumi.
• Italian picnics are divine. Buy cheeses, breads, olives, sweets, and wine, then enjoy lunch in a park or in the evening back in your hotel room, watching hilarious Italian TV. And don’t miss the marvelous street food opportunities—such as arancini in Sicily or focaccia in Genoa.

Sightseeing

It’s amazing how many masterpieces you can see for free in Italy. In Rome, the Pantheon, Florence, the Duomo, and all the great art in the churches. Cities offer combined tourist ticket deals for sights and public transportation, so check out their websites or stop in at tourist kiosks to see if this will save you money, according to the time you have. You can also find info there for free museum days. For Rome: www.romapass.it, Florence: www.firenzecard.it, Venice: www.veneziaunica.it

Souvenirs

Though it’s worth it to spend money on the high-quality artisan treasures each city offers, you can also pick up mementos that are not that expensive. It may sound corny, but I love having a towel from a Rome market with a Piazza Navona fountain on it in my Los Angeles kitchen, to bring back memories of my time there, and it’s fun to bring something like that to friends back home as a hostess gift, wrapped around the neck of a wine bottle. Food is also always a good choice—from vacuum-packed cheeses, to chocolates, spices, or specialty sweets. Other ideas that are lightweight and budget friendly: rosaries, artisan stationery, soaps from the farmacias, Murano glass wine stoppers, or scarves from the outdoor markets.