Eight days in Tuscany and Cinque Terre cost us $3,534 — roughly what we spend in an entire month. If we want to take trips like this again, we have to decide whether that tradeoff makes sense. New to our story? Start from the beginning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUCnnhlKYk0&list=PL4kGiHocVcCi9MpqmybLDHk1F28MLmjqB&index=1
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What’s Inside This Episode
We break down the full cost of this Italy trip across four categories — accommodations, transportation, food, and experiences — and share exactly what we paid in each one. From five nights in Montepulciano and three nights in Riomaggiore, to $1,300 in transportation costs, daily meals out, wine tastings, and Cinque Terre passes, every dollar is accounted for.
Some costs were expected. Others surprised us — especially the tolls and gas. We talk through what drove the total higher, where we could have adjusted, and how choices like driving from Lyon, eating out every day, and booking five tastings shaped the final number.
This eight-day trip cost about what we spend in a typical month of living. Since we’re not working right now, every decision matters. Could we do a trip like this again? Yes — but only if we’re intentional about what we change and what we keep.
🏠 Our Tuscany Airbnb (Montepulciano): https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/19617012
🏠 Our Cinque Terre Airbnb (Riomaggiore): https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/11974945
#slowtravel #italytravel #retireearly #tuscany #cinqueterre #travelbudget #lifeafter50 #costoftravel
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Chapters
00:00 — What 8 Days in Tuscany & Cinque Terre Cost Us
00:30 — The Two Places We Stayed in Italy
03:03 — Why Driving in Italy Was So Expensive
04:21 — Eating Out Every Day in Tuscany
06:18 — The Wine Tastings & Cinque Terre Pass
09:37 — Can We Afford Trips Like This in Early Retirement?
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5 Comments
We knew this week would be expensive — but we chose to do it anyway.
When you look back on a trip that stretched your budget, was it worth it for you? Or did the cost change how you felt about it afterward?
Here’s what three months of everyday living actually cost →
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5iME1IsoCU&list=PL4kGiHocVcChh4Cbx6aVYLS9_7KdsRlC4&index=4
Okay, I'm editing this comment because I wrote it before you finished the last scene, talking about what you'd cut back, to make it less expensive. Yes, cutting back on driving the whole time would significantly cut your costs, probably in less than half. Plus, trains are awesome – you can talk, wander around, use a toilet, read, or just both look out at the scenery instead of concentrating on directions, tolls, and gas. Obvs, choosing fewer wine tastings and instead buying a couple of bottles from two would probably help. Bon chance!
Sounds like it was a good deal except for the cost of gas and tolls. I think you could take a couple of budget trips within Europe each year if you take the train. In the past 30 years I've been to Cinque Terre twice. An amazing place. Also check out Civita if you ever get a chance.
I’m planning a 2 week trip with family of four to Italy next May. I had really hoped to take 4 days and stay in Montepulciano, rent a car and just visit some Tuscan towns. I was hoping to make breakfasts and dinners at the rental and eat lunches out. Are there tolls between all the Tuscan cities?
Curious if you figured out what it would’ve cost if you had rented a car only upon arrival…after having taken either a plane or train from Lyon? Would be interested to know!