Italy

Art. Architecture. Food. More food. Here are some tips for doing and eating as much as you can for as little as you can!

As always, Ryan Air has discount flights to multiple destinations in Italy. Look into flying into one city, then taking a train ride to another city where you can fly out of. We flew into Rome, took a TrenItalia trip to Venice, and then flew back from there. Book your flights online at RyanAir.com, and your train tickets at TrenItalia.com.

In Rome, there are so many cultural hotspots to check out! Use your student ID to get a discount at the Vatican Museum, where you can take a tour and see the Sistine Chapel. After, you can visit St. Peter’s Basilica, which is free to enter. The huge cathedral is full of ornate statues and tapestries. Make sure to stop by the Pieta, sculpted by Michelangelo. The Coliseum also has a discount for students, although it is still pricey to get in, but definitely worth it! A few more cost effective sites in Rome include the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, and of course the Trevi Fountain, just make sure you have a few coins to make a wish!

Book a place to stay at AirBnB.com; if you are traveling in a group it is the best way to get a private apartment right smack dab in the city! A group of five of us stayed in an apartment in Rome, right by the metro and within walking distance of the Coliseum.

If you get peckish, stop for some gelato, a cannoli, or a tiramisu. A great and very affordable place is Pompi, which is famous for their desserts!

In Venice, the very city itself is something to see! The first thing you need to do is get a map! The city has canals for roads, and certain walkways dead end in a canal, so a map is very important for getting around, and can save you from spending money on water taxis to get around! Head to San Marco’s square, where you can see beautiful buildings like Saint Mark’s Basilica. If you want to go inside the church, make sure you leave your backpack at your hostel, or else you can rent a locker for an hour. Also check out the Rialto Bridge, which is lined with shops! Don’t miss the intricate and sometimes bizarre masks!

For food, stay off the main canals, restaurants there are overpriced for mediocre food! If you get off the beaten path you can find some hidden gems, like The Taverna del Campiello Remer, a 20 euro buffet. It sounds expensive, but it included all you can eat meats, cheeses, veggies and desserts, as well as a plate of pasta and a ½ liter of wine! It was well worth the cost, since we were full for the rest of the day! Another tip for eating is to stay in a hostel or apartment, where you can cook your own meals! Markets are affordable, and groups can pitch in to make a delicious and authentic meal for a low cost!

So make sure to check out Italy while you are abroad, and with these tips you can get a great experience for a great price!

Video Blog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WX9OMbtL5Ok