Travel Budget for Cities inItaly

Milan is most famous as the fashion capital of Italy. It is in the northern region of Lombardy, near the border with Switzerland. There are plenty of cultural, architectural, and historic sights throughout the city as well. Milan is also home to the famous Duomo, which is one of the largest churches in the world. If you're looking for a great neighborhood for restaurants and shopping, head to the Canal District, which is interesting and enjoyable. There are a handful of churches worth visiting throughout the city including Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio, Basilica of Saint Lawrence, and Santa Maria delle Grazie.

Most people use public transportation to get around Milan. The system includes a tram, trolley-bus, and bus lines, as well as three different metro rail lines. The three subway lines include a red line that runs northeast and west. The green line runs northeast and southwest, and the yellow line runs north and south.

Milan has a major airport that some people may use as their entry point into Italy. Alternatively, it's possible to take the train or bus from most major cities throughout Italy. Trains are generally more comfortable and convenient, but buses are often cheaper and will save you some money.

Many people choose to skip Milan as a travel destination in Italy, but those that stop by are generally well rewarded. It's an easy stopover, particularly for travelers between Cinque Terra or the coastal areas in western Italy and Venice. If nothing else, it is recommended that you allow for a few hours layover in Milan. The restaurants are very cosmopolitan and delicious, the shopping is some of the best in the world, and the wine is delicious. The sights manage to mix history with modernism, and a visit to Milan allows you to see a whole new side of Italy.

The canals of Venice are one of the most popular and emulated destinations in the world. In it's hay day, Venice was at the center of politics, exploration, and arts and architecture. Today that history is still very much alive and well. The city is unlike any other in the world. The best way to immerse yourself in Venice is to get yourself lost in the alleyways. It's actually quite easy to do and you'll find yourself stumbling into the most interesting places, hidden away from the crowds in Piazzo San Marco.

But while you're wandering, be sure and stop off at some of the must see spots along the way. Of course you can't leave Venice without seeing Saint Mark's Basilica, which is centrally located in Piazza San Marco. Get up early when the light is low and the crowds are thin for the best views and photographic opportunities. Head to Doge's Palace, and also go to the top of the Bell Tower of St. Mark. If you want some great day trips, hop on a boat and go to Murano to see its famous glass blowing. Also, the colored town of Burano is absolutely beautiful and a great place to grab a good pastry. Either of these towns can be reached with a short ferry trip. They can also be combined into one days trip together.

Venice is really a city about atmosphere. While there are no shortage of sights, do not loose what you came here for, which is the unique environment and beautiful setting. While Venice can be crowded as a tourist destination, you can avoid much of these crowds if you get up early. Wake up for sunrise and you'll see the city when it is its most beautiful. The dramatic lighting of the sun coming above the horizon creates an absolutely surreal setting, and it is an experience you will share with very few other tourists. It is possible to see a side of Venice that many tourists miss, you just have to think creatively and plan ahead.

Verona, Italy is probably most famous as the setting for Shakespeare's famous play, Romeo and Juliet. It's in northeast Italy in the Veneto region, close to Venice. It's easy to make the trip by train from either Venice or Milan. Verona has many Roman ruins throughout town, most notably, the Arena. The Arena is a large amphitheater that dates back to the first century AD. You also can't visit Verona without stopping by Juliet's House on Via Cappello, just off the Piazza delle Erbe. The balcony is the supposed balcony that inspired the most famous love scene in the play. You can expect to find tourists gathered around with camera, perhaps detracting a little from what might have once been a romantic setting. Other sights in town worth visiting are the Castle Scaligeri, Castelvecchio, Lamberti Tower, Juliet's Tomb, and the small chapel San Giorgetta. If you have the time while you're in town, consider hoping on Bus 41 and heading out to S. Maria di Lourdes Sanctuary. From the edge of Verona's highest hill you can have a stunning view of the surrounding area. It's well worth the trip.

There are some local dishes that are worth sampling in Verona. Pasta dishes made from buckwheat pasta are a favorite, as is a type of pork casserole. If you're particularly daring, horse meat is considered a favorite in these parts and you can find it on some menus around town. Specifically look for a dish called pastisada de caval.

If you want to head to a bar that's not overcrowded with tourists, head to Piazza delle Erbe. Piazza Bra is best avoided as this is the area where you will find most of the crowds and overpriced drinks.

Accommodation is generally much cheaper than nearby Venice, but you should definitely have reservations before arrival. This is particularly important if you are in town on days when there are performances taking place at the Arena, or during the tourist high season.

Ravenna is a city in northeast Italy in the Emilia-Romagna region. People head to Ravenna because it has a wonderful, quaint, small town atmosphere. It is also home to the Mosaic Basilica. You can reach Ravenna if you are travel by train from either Bologna or Rimini. You can also fly into a small airport in Forli twenty kilometers away, which is served by Ryanair. Once you're in Ravenna you'll want to spend your time walking around the small town. The quaint streets are lined with interesting shops, cafes and restaurants. Prices tend to be a little higher if you're in the area immediately around the Basilica, but as you explore further you'll find the prices go down. Also be aware that most places observe a siesta and close between the hours of 12:30 and 4:00. If you're interested in shopping for clothes, Ravenna has some of Italy's top fashion available outside of the larger city's. You can see what's in style and purchase some of the high quality Italian cloths similar to what you might find in Milan or Rome.

Popular sights around town include Dante's Tomb, Sant' Apollinare in Classe, Basilica of San Vitale, and Mausoleum of Galla Placidia. You'll find the typical Italian restaurants around town, most of which has lots of charm and excellent food. You can enjoy a meal of a beer and an Italian pizza for anywhere from ten to fifteen euros. One of the most recommended restaurants in town is Ristorante Al Passatore. It has delicious, traditional food at inexpensive prices and has long been considered an institution in the area.

There are also a good number of hotels and hostels around town. You'll likely get your best price if you book in advance, particularly if you're traveling during the peak season. Places do occasionally fill up, although this is usually not a problem.

Bari is the second largest city in the south after Naples. It is also the capital of the Apulia region in Italy. It sits on the Adriatic coast and is popular as a transportation stop for travelers catching ferries for other nearby countries. City government, in recent years, has made an effort to raise awareness of the old town area in Bari and is encouraging travelers to spend more time actually visiting the city itself. The old town has a good number of historic buildings as well as some trendy bars and great restaurants that are all worth checking out. They've also made an effort to clean up the city and areas that were previously considered unsafe are now very welcoming to tourists.

You can reach Bari by bus, train, plane, or car, but many people come here specifically to catch a departing ferry, or alternatively they arrive here by ferry. Ferries run between the Bari port and the Greek port of Patra and Igoumenitsa. You can get discounts on the ferry if you have a Eurorail pass. You can also catch boats that go to Kotor, Montenegro, Dubrovnik, Croatia, and Durres, Albania. You options for operators include Superfast Ferries, Blue Star Ferries, Azzurraline and Jadrolinija.

Unfortunately, Bari lacks a good selection of budget accommodation. This prevents many travelers from spending any significant time in the city. There are a handful of hostels around town and while they are clean and generally modern, they are typically overpriced. There are a good number of reasonably priced restaurants around town so it is typically possible to stick to a tight budget when eating. Unfortunately, most of that savings is lost with your hotel room.

The old town area of Bari has some interesting sights including the Basilica of Saint Nicholas, the Palazzo del Catapano, the Church of Saint Gregory, the Cathedral of Saint Sabino and the former Monastery of Saint Scolastica.

In northeast Italy, Trento is an upscale town that is an expensive destination within the country. A beautiful time to visit is the Easter holiday season when the apple blossoms are in full bloom. There's a nice pedestrian only town center that has many historic buildings and great sights. Driving to Trento is easy, but you can also reach the town by train. The town is positioned on the main train line between Italy and Austria or Germany, making it a convenient stopover on your way into Italy. It's also easy to continue on into Venice as there are two daily trains making the trip. It's also a quick train ride to Verona, and easily accessible from Innsbruck or Munich.

Once you've arrived in Trento you'd do best to park your car and walk around. Much of the town is shut down to traffic, but bikes are an easy way to navigate the city as well. If you're hoping to visit the nearby mountains, there are public buses that can take you out of town. Some of the main sights in town include Piazza Duomo, Castello del Buonconsiglio, and the Trentino Museum of Natural Sciences.

Given that it's Italy, you can expect there to be some wonderful restaurants around town. One of the most enjoyable activities in Trento is to sip a coffee or enjoy a snack at an outdoor cafe. There are also restaurants to accommodate most budgets with some of the most popular inexpensive options being Osteria Piedicastello and La Grotta.

If you're hoping to travel into the nearby mountains there are some great lakes that make for a wonderful day trip. Consider hoping on a bus and heading to either Lavarone Lake or Caldonazzo Lake, both of which are quite picturesque and a great way to pass some time.

Located in Lombardy, Italy, Brescia is an industrial city with a significant role in the country's manufacturing. It sits between Lake Garda and the Valtrompia at the base of the Alps. It's only one hundred kilometers east of Milan. You can reach the city by plane, arriving in the small airport that is only twenty kilometers from the city's center in Montichiari. There are also plenty of train options that arrive in the city from most regional or international destinations.

There's only a small, historic downtown that is served by the bus system. You'll need a car to reach the further outlying regions including the Franciacorta wine district or some further out museums such as the Mille Miglia automobile race. There are some good museums in town, but most exhibits are not translated into English as the city receives relatively few international tourists. Popular sights include the old Roman ruins of Tempio Capitolino, both the Old and New Duomo, the city's impressive Castle, Santa Giulia's cloister which now serves as a museum, and La Loggia or the City Hall.

Many people choose to take day trips out of town to either Lake Iseo or Lake Garda. Both will require access to a car. You can drive through the scenic wine regions that are south of Lake Iseo and sample some of the country's best wine. There are also some excellent hiking opportunities in the foothills of the Alps which can be beautiful and fun. The city itself offers a glimpse into and authentic Italian town, where you can frequent gelaterias that aren't overrun with tourists, and meet university students that are eager to show you a good time in their town.

Food in Brescia is delicious. Some popular local specialties includ casoncelli, homemade tortellini with beef. Polenta is also a popular option and is often served with cheese and butter for flavor. This is usually only available during the winter months. Spiedo is a dish of roasted larks and pork meat which are slow cooked for several hours and flavored with butter and seasoning.

Bressanone is the third largest town in the province of South Tyrol. It's also one of the oldest in the region. It's a cultural haven in the area and is strategically position forty kilometers from Bolzano and forty five kilometers south of the Brenner Pass. It sits near the border of Italy and Austria. It's surrounded by mountains including the Plose and Telegraph mountains to the east and the Konigsanger mountains to the west. It's a popular destination during the winter months when it is considered a top ski resort, but if you do visit at another time of year you'll still find plenty to do by exploring the area's orchards and vineyards.

In town there are a good number of sights as well. Be sure and visit the city's cathedral, which dates back to the tenth century, although it was rebuilt in the 13th century. The Hofburg is a Renaissance era palace that now has a museum with some very nice artwork. Saint Michael is a nice church that dates back to the eleventh century. Another interesting place to visit in town is the Pharmacy Museum, which is housed in an old townhouse. It provides an very informative exhibit on the development of the pharmacy profession in the area. It has many objects and medicines that served different purposes during past centuries. It's a unique look at a very interesting time during this developing industry.

Bressanone is easily reached by train as it sits on the train line connecting Verona with Innsbruck. Once in town, walking is the best way to explore the area as many of the important historic sights are within walking distance. If you're hoping to travel further out of town, taxis are generally a good option that is reasonably affordable.

Restaurants in town a generally good and provide dishes at an affordable cost. Some may charge an increased price if you choose to dine in the restaurant, so if the weather is nice, the best budget option is to take your food to go and enjoy a nice picnic outside.