Travel blog - Tips to explore the world on a budget: Italy

Ask ten people what to eat in Italy, and nine of them will say pizza or pasta. But if you come here with that expectation, then you will miss the point completely. Based on the firsthand knowledge and day-to-day activities of local guides in Milan from FREETOUR.com, this post provides recommendations on where to eat in Milan. It will also highlight some of the best neighborhoods to explore for food, while avoiding many tourist areas and restaurants.

Rome can be an unforgettable destination. To help you navigate, we highlight the best places to visit in Rome, starting the very moment you arrive. As soon as you step off the train at Rome’s central station, you will see something completely unexpected — a 2000-year-old ancient ruin right next door to an ordinary pizzeria, as if nothing could be wrong with this.

The crazy thing about Venice is that there are no cars and no bikes. When you get off the train, it immediately hits you with how much water there is, how tiny the streets are, and how many islands there are. More than 100!

When you arrive in Florence, your senses get ambushed, all at once. First, it's the smell — espresso mixed with something sweet from a bakery. Then it’s the visual — that Tuscan light everyone talks about, catching Brunelleschi's Dome and terracotta rooftops. The best things to do in Florence are often on ranked lists. But Florence has another side, and it's less romantic. For example, the Uffizi Gallery queue will eat your morning. A bad lunch near the Duomo will eat your budget. Assuming you can walk up to Michelangelo's David on a Tuesday afternoon will eat your entire itinerary. Knowing what to do in Florence will determine whether it is a trip you'll talk about for years or one you'll politely describe as "a learning experience."

While the most popular time to visit Rome is in the summer, when the weather is the warmest, many choose to come in spring and fall to enjoy lower prices and fewer crowds. Once you land, your trip to the city center will depend on which airport you flew into. From the Fiumicino Airport, you can hop on the Leonardo Express train to reach Termini Station. From the Ciampino Airport, you can take the Atral bus to the Anagnina metro station and change to line A to reach the center.