Spending money - Italy

[scorcio5]

Just wandering if any of you lovely people have been to sorrento, Italy recently and could give me rough idea ideas of prices, & how much spending money ( to buy the shite you wouldn't dream of buying at home but coz you on your jollies, you cough up regardless ) we going 2 weeks, AL, me, DH, & x 2 teen ds, hoping to do the usual touristy day trips, Pompeii etc, tia chaps

Not sure if this helps but we usual budget £50 per person per day for food and entertainment on holiday, some days you will spend less some days more, it’s never failed us before always seem to bring a little bit Home too.

We've been to Italy (albeit not Sorrento) for the last 2 summers and found it really expensive, last year particularly so. I imagine Sorrento will be expensive too. Coffees etc were 4 or 5 euros, alcohol drinks (eg Aperol and beers) were between 8-10 euros). Even fruit juice for the children were 5 euros each often. Restaurants were on a par with "nice" restaurants at home. Pizzas were good and cheaper (kind of 10-15 euros) but most restaurants have a cover charge (cheapest we found was 2.5 euros, up to about 5 euros) so for a family of 5, we'd "spent" £20 before we'd even sat down.

The only thing that was cheap was ice cream

Thanks for replies

Ooh I like the per person per day amount, it sort of gives a rough estimate of the total amount

I had heard that b4 about the cost of food over there, that's why we going all inclusive, my bank balance couldn't take the hit for of feeding x 2 teenage sons and there never ending eating patterns 😂 and my wine habit

Where in Italy were you Namechangedtoday15? I've just booked Lake Garda for next year and a bit shocked at those prices ! Just been to London on holidays and wasn't expecting Italy to be more expensive than there :-(

We were in Sorrento in May. Prices are basically the same as you'd expect to pay in London for things like drinks, ice creams etc. You can look online and see how much entrance fees to places like Pompeii and Herculaneum are (the Circumvesuviana train there was abot 5 Euros per person, I think), how much ferries are to Capri, Positano and Amalfi etc That should give you a good idea of prices.

I see you are AI but you'd be mad to go to Italy and not try some local restaurants. If your family likes fish then Delfino's in the Marina Grande is fantastic but you'll need to book well in advance.

2016 we were in Lake Garda & on the Venetian Riviera, 2017 we were in Tuscany - just south of Pisa, then outside Florence. I think it obviously depends on the exchange rate which was really poor last year and I think Tuscany is particularly dear.

Thanks namechanged. I fancied a change from Spanish campsites for next year, but I think in 2020 we'll be going back! Costa Brava was €1.50 for coffee, €3.50 a pint of beer, €2 a glass of wine/cava. €2.50 for a soft drink. Will be an expensive fortnight in Lake Garda I think! At least I'll be prepared thanks .

@mirmc I tried to remember some of the names of the restaurants that we ate at at Lake Garda where I could find prices, and this is the only one I could find. It was set by the side of the lake and lovely. I think this is typical prices - like I said, they seemed to be higher in Tuscany so Lake Garda should be more reasonable.

Here The saving grace is that its often cheaper to drink wine or prosecco by the litre

Thanks namechanged. If I stick to pasta or pizza and prosecco/wine (by the litre) looks like I'll be ok LOL!

Depends what trips you plan to do . Capri boat was well over 100e last year for 4 of us last year. Taxis and train were inexpensive. Take id to the museums and sites ( we take photocopy of passports) as your dc may still get free or discounted entry. Sites are free first Sunday in the month. Allow up to 5e each for icecream ( nice cafe near station) . It also costs to use the beach or bathing piers.

Try to avoid the really touristy cafes and restaurant (just look online for places to avoid). The prices are bonkers and service usually fast and furious.

We tend to find our the locals go - the food it often better (not pandering to generic tourist tastes), cheaper and usually the staff are nice and friendly.

Shop around as you will find stores and markets selling the same things (and the same things you find at home anyway). We usually stock up in homeward in department stores and even supermarkets - lovely tablecloths, food, wine...