Bob maintains a sample budget for a trip to Italy and each year, sends up updates according to recent figures. The good news? Bob has tracked a decrease in costs for the first time since he's been maintaining this information:

Italy Travel Budget 2009

Bob - thanks for taking the time to keep these numbers up to date for us!

Thanks Bob. Really interesting data.

Sharon J

Thanks, Bob.

I always wondered whether my husband and I were spending more money on our Italy trips (usually 2 weeks in length) compared to others. But I see that we are pretty much in line with your costs for comparable service and accomodations.

I am glad to see we are right on: for trips of three weeks or more to Italy, France or Spain we budget, absolutely all included end-to-end, nothing left out, an average of CAD4,500/week. This was pretty consistent since 2002.

Good news! I used Bob's calculations for my 2-week trip to Rome/Florence/Venice two years ago, and they were right on the money.

This year's budget got off to a good start with the airfare. In 2007, a roundtrip direct flight on Alitalia from New York to Rome was $1,000. This year it's $650. Here's hoping for more and better bargains for all.

Glad to see that others agree. When we first traveled to Europe years ago I would plan on $5000 for a 2 week trip. The 2009 trend may not continue---we will see next year.

I find it facinating how people travel and what is important to individual people.

Our air about the same. Our apartment far less expensive. Our food and wine far far more expensive.... and our wine always is more than our food.