Italy

Those on a tight budget will find eating and sleeping in Italy expensive. Prudent backpackers might squeeze by on around US$35 a day if they stay in hostels, make their own sandwiches, avoid indulging in alcohol and don't visit too many museums. A room in a pensione or hotel, one restaurant meal per day and occasional visits to museums will cost close to US$50 per day. If you want to stay in comfortable hotels, eat out regularly in restaurants and visit lots of museums and galleries, you should budget at least US$100 a day; hiring a car will double your expenses. Be aware that Italy has more luxury hotels, expensive restaurants and shops to die for than you can shake a Gold Amex card at, so be prepared to stretch your budget if you are easily tempted.

Banks are the most reliable places to change travellers' cheques, and generally offer the best rates; shop around for the lowest commission deals and the shortest queues. Credit cards are widely accepted in Italy. Visa is the easiest card with which to obtain cash advances from banks.

Service charges are included in your restaurant bill, so you are not expected to tip. It is common practice, however, to leave a small amount. In bars, Italians will usually leave any small change as a tip, but this is by no means obligatory. Be aware that prices in Italian bars and cafes double (sometimes even triple) if you sit down. Tipping taxi drivers is not necessary, but your hotel porter will expect a little something.

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