Estimated Expenses

This is a general guide to estimated expenses. These expenses do not include the cost of airline tickets, and everyone will be responsible for making their own airline travel arrangements. The following estimates include hotel, local transportation, food and scheduled tours. They do not include any personal expenses such as purchasing gifts and souvenirs, tips, expensive meals, wine/drinks, or additional tours, gondola rides, or museum or other ticket purchases not included as part of our itinerary.

One more important thing to consider is that these costs are in Euros, not dollars. The current conversion rate is a little better than it has been due to some financial difficulties currently being experienced throughout Europe, but the dollar is still not doing well against the Euro, and the exchange rates change daily.

According to Rick Steves Rome guidebooks, he estimates spending approximately 100 Euros a day, per person for daily expenses. This includes a medium-range hotel based on two person occupancy, meals at local trattorias or small cafes, subway/bus tickets, and an occasional gelato or two! Obviously Rome and Venice will be more expensive than Teramo and Velletri, so the 100 Euros a day is based on an average of the entire trip.

Gary and I will be making hotel suggestions, but some of you may have travel points or may have other hotel preferences, so the hotel expenses will vary per individual so there is a wider range of prices in this category. Again, these prices are based on per person for double occupancy, so even if you are a couple you have to consider the per person price when estimating your expenses. In the same way, if you are a single traveler you have to consider a larger expense if you prefer not to share a room. Please see the "Hotels/Accommodations" page for more information about hotels in each of the cities that we will be visiting.

Based on the information above, here is a very general estimated list of expenses PER PERSON for 10 days (2 of the 12 days are travel days):

Airfare: On Your Own
Hotels: 500 - 1000 Euros (per person, double occupancy, depending on whether apartment or hotel and hotel rating)
Daily Expenses: 500 Euros (food, local travel, misc.)
Note: the two expenses above (hotels and daily) is the suggested 100 Euro a day cost based on the lower range of hotel price)
Orientation Tour of Rome (optional): 40 Euros
Orientation Tour of Venice (optional): 40 Euros
Private Driver to Teramo: 60 Euros
Train Tickets: 150 Euros (Teramo to Venice; Venice to Rome; Rome to Velletri)
Transport from Velletri to Airport: 40 Euros
Additional Tours (optional): TBD - Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour and Colosseum/Roman Forum Tour - depending on interest and how many people will be going on each tour.

Please use this as an estimated guide ONLY. Personal tastes and interests vary, so please consider your individual requirements.

Gary and I have been working hard to try to plan a great trip at an economical cost. Europe, and especially Italy, can be very expensive but we think that what we have to offer competes with the best tour group prices! But we are always open to any suggestions or other recommendations!