Venice budget blow out...nah it was alright

The budget for Venice was blown out a bit due to all the souvenirs we collected. But we have not done too badly up until this point and we haven’t really purchased souvenirs yet except for post cards here and there.

So here goes (don’t be too shocked)

The apartment cost us 255euros for 2 nights
The train 155euros (all 4 of us return)
48 hour boat/bus ticket 112euros
All sightseeing 60euros
Souvenirs 225euros (Venetian glass and masks and lace)
Food 100euros (this was indulgent pastries, coffee, gelati etc…)

So just over 900euros for the whole trip including transport there and back. I don’t think that was too bad for 4 people in a very popular city. It was definitely worth it. We all loved Venice and hope to go back some day.

Everyday living in Italy

So far we have worked out that we use about 500euros a week on food, transport, internet, dvds, postcards/stamps, tours/tickets to see things and the all important rent.
On a good week we only spend 300euros (after paying for our rent). A good week consists of:

• Groceries
• Transport (bus/train)
• A visit to a church or 2 or 3 (some a free :-)
• Postcards (11 for 3euro)
• Stamps (1euro each postcard)
• Gelati and Cafe visits twice a week

So a good week doesn't mean no FUN!!! Just taking advantage of all the free activities you can do around Italy.

If we go to another city during the week and spend 3-5 days there we generally try to get an apartment with a kitchen so that we can buy groceries there and cook dinner and have breakfast in the apartment. In saying that we then spend on pastries anc lunch, for instance today in Venice we went to Lido an island with beaches and had calamari and chips (it was gross :-( ) then we went to an art gallery (modern and a bit R rated for the kids):

• lunch 11 euro
• gallery 30euro (2 tickets) kids free
• 3 cappuccino, a slice of yummy cake and a choc croissant 9.50euros (CHEAP) in the gallery
• we pick up some very nice sandwiches with fluffy white (glue)bread 1.50euro each
• Iain and I climbed the Bell Tower in St Marks Square 16euros

So today we spent 70euros, not too bad I think for a family of 4 in Venice.