April 15, 2025
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Italy Travel Guide: Venice, Florence & Tuscany Adventures on a Budget

Italy is a dream destination for food lovers, history buffs, and romantics alike. From the storybook canals of Venice to the art-filled streets of Florence and the vineyard-draped hills of Tuscany, this Italy travel guide walks you through unforgettable experiences, delicious food finds, hidden gems, and budget-saving tips from our recent adventure.

Whether you’re planning your first trip or looking for new inspiration, here’s how to explore Italy’s most iconic cities—and countryside—without breaking the bank.

✈️ Getting to Italy: Why We Flew into Milan First

We discovered a great travel hack right at the beginning: flights to Milan are usually cheaper than Venice or Florence. So, we booked a round-trip ticket to Milan and then hopped on a Trenitalia high-speed train straight to Venice. The journey took about 2.5 hours.

💡 Pro Tip: Upgrade to business class on the train for just €10–15 extra. You’ll get larger seats, more legroom, and peace and quiet—totally worth it!

🏨 Where We Stayed: Saving Smart Without Sacrificing Comfort

Venice: Stay Outside the Island

We chose a budget hotel in Mestre, just a 10-minute bus ride from the heart of Venice. Not only did we save money, but we also enjoyed quieter evenings. Daily transport was easy and efficient.

Cost: €60–€80 per night
Bus fare: €1.50 one way
Bonus: Many hotels include breakfast!

Florence: Central Yet Affordable

In Florence, we booked a cozy 3-star hotel near the train station with free breakfast and excellent walkability to major sights.

Cost: €70–€100 per night
Perfect for: Travelers who need a comfortable bed and spend their days exploring.

🍕 Venice: A Food Lover’s Paradise

Venice isn’t just about gondolas—it’s also a hidden gem for spontaneous food discoveries.

Must-Try Eats in Venice

Pizza at 10 AM? Absolutely. We stumbled into a café serving hot, fresh pizza that ended up being one of our most memorable bites of the trip. Italy truly doesn’t have a bad time for pizza.
Seafood Cicchetti: Tapas-style bites found in local bacari bars. Try marinated anchovies, cod mousse, and grilled polenta.

🌟 Best Gelato Spots in Venice

⭐ Gelato Fantasy – A tiny shop with ultra-fresh, small-batch flavors. Try the passionfruit or pistachio.
Venchi – Known for its chocolate-dipped cones and creamy classics like stracciatella.

🥂 Aperitivo Culture

Enjoy a traditional Aperol Spritz with a green olive while standing at the bar with locals. You’ll usually get a free snack like chips or bruschetta with your drink.

🛶 Best Activity: Just Get Lost

Venice rewards the curious. Forget your Google Maps and let yourself get lost among the alleys, canals, and bridges. You’ll find quiet plazas, hidden churches, and local shops untouched by crowds.

🏛️ Florence: Renaissance Art, Jaw-Dropping Architecture & Insane Sandwiches

Florence is compact, walkable, and overflowing with artistic treasures and culinary gems.

🍴 Top Food Experiences in Florence

⭐ All’Antico Vinaio – Home of the most famous sandwich in Italy. Expect a line, but it moves fast. We ordered the porchetta with truffle cream, and it changed our lives.
La Menagere – Chic café for those needing a pasta break. Their salads and juices are refreshing and beautifully plated.
⭐ Gelateria dei Neri – A true gelato haven. Try the dark chocolate with pistachio for a flavor explosion.

🎨 Cultural Must-Dos

Climb the Duomo (Brunelleschi’s Dome): Breathtaking views over the terracotta rooftops of Florence. Book online at least a week in advance.
Uffizi Gallery: Don’t miss Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus” or works by Michelangelo and Da Vinci.
Ponte Vecchio: Florence’s most famous bridge, lined with glittering jewelry shops.

🌅 Hidden Gem: Sunset Boat Ride on the Arno

Skip the gondolas in Venice and book a private boat ride in Florence instead. We sipped wine while gliding past centuries-old buildings—pure magic.

🍷 Tuscany: Wine Country, Pizza Feasts & Countryside Charm

We based ourselves in Florence and did a self-guided day trip to Tuscany—and it was a major highlight.

🚗 Renting a Car for a Day

Rather than paying €100+ for a tour, we rented a small car for the day and followed a wine route through the Chianti region.

Rental cost: ~€50/day
Gas & tolls: €20–30
Bonus: Total flexibility!

🍷 Winery Visit: Chianti Classico Experience

At a family-run vineyard near Greve in Chianti, we sampled three bold reds, munched on pecorino cheese, and learned about the centuries-old wine-making process.

🍕 Pizza Feast in Cortona

We visited relatives in Cortona, a hillside town made famous by Under the Tuscan Sun. We shared 30 handmade pizzas, drank house wine, and laughed with local families until midnight.

🧺 Farmers’ Market Finds

Before leaving, we stocked up at the Saturday market in Cortona: fresh figs, ripe peaches, artisanal bread, and homemade jam. It was the kind of authentic experience tours can’t replicate.

💸 Budget Travel Tips for Italy

Exploring Italy doesn’t have to drain your wallet. Here are our top money-saving tips:

✅ Train > Plane: High-speed trains are faster, cheaper, and way more scenic than flying between cities.
✅ Stay outside tourist zones: You’ll get better prices and more authentic experiences. Just ensure it’s still well-connected by public transport.
✅ Take advantage of free museum days: Many Italian cities offer free or discounted entry on the first Sunday of each month.
✅ Book major attractions early: Sites like the Duomo and Uffizi can sell out fast.
✅ Use city transport passes: Florence’s tram to the airport only costs €1.50.

🧳 Packing Tips: What to Bring to Italy

🧥 Light layers – Mornings and evenings can get chilly, even in summer.
👟 Comfortable walking shoes – Italy’s cobblestone streets are beautiful but unforgiving.
🎧 Offline maps & translation apps – Not all areas have great signal.
👜 Daypack with water bottle – Stay hydrated and ready for impromptu adventures.

❤️ Final Thoughts: Why We Fell in Love with Italy (Again)

Italy is indulgent, welcoming, chaotic in the best way, and absolutely unforgettable.

Venice is best explored without a map.
Florence is a feast for all senses—art, food, architecture, and romance.
Tuscany is a place to slow down, eat well, and reconnect with simplicity.

If you’re planning a trip to Italy, take it from us: don’t overplan, stay curious, and savor every bite and sunset. Whether it’s your first time or tenth, Italy always has something new to offer.