It will not only be a hot, but also an expensive summer for Italy visitors

Many thousands of Dutch people have already booked their summer holiday in Italy. According to the ANWB, about a quarter of people are planning to go on holiday this summer. But as you could already hear from the news, most of them are shocked by the 'new prices'. How do you prepare for the expensive summer that is coming?

High energy prices, war on the eastern flank of Europe and mega-inflation have driven up the prices for campsites, hotels and holiday homes. Throughout Europe, but especially in Italy, prices seem to have risen sharply this year.

A good 2.000 euros for one week in a mobile home on Lake Garda in July is a very normal price. It is logical that many go for a shorter holiday this season. 3 weeks of holiday in Italy is no longer affordable, not in high season.

Yet there are plenty of bookings. According to RTL News 9 out of 10 Dutch people are planning to go on holiday. Because we worked hard, didn't we? And we can't miss our beloved holiday country for a year, can we?

It also has to do with the expensive alternatives. Because just look at the prices for a week in a bungalow park in the Netherlands or Belgium. Not tender either.

Of course, you save on travel costs by staying at home. But who says that prices will go down again at all? And didn't we just deserve that holiday in Italy?

It doesn't have to be more expensive than necessary, so here are a few general tips from a lot of experience with holidays in Italy.

1. Early bird discount or last minute discount

If you want to get the most out of your holiday, book early or late. Booking in January is often a 20% discount on the prices you pay later. You can also wait, but then you obviously have less choice. This does not only apply to accommodation, but also to, for example, airline tickets, car rental or package tours that you book through travel organizations.

We even took advantage of a booking on Monday, while we went to Italy on Wednesday. Also look at Airbnbs that have not yet been rented out in the summer months. Yes, there are not that many of them by then, so you have limited choice.

You can count on getting a nice discount to convince you. A tenant who does not pay the top price is better than no tenant at all, or so the owners thought around that time. Especially if you want to stay longer, you can often negotiate well. And if you bypass Airbnb, it can usually be a bit cheaper.

But this waiting is not for everyone. A disadvantage is also that you don't have the anticipation that you do if you already know for sure that you're going.

2. Travel with your own car

Traveling to Italy by car is for many the cheapest way to travel. If you are used to taking a plane and then renting a car, consider just driving your own car. It really doesn't take as long as you think. Northern Italy (such as the lakes) can be reached in one day.

If you go further (Tuscany, Umbria, The Marches), you will be there in 2 days. It goes without saying that it is useful to go for longer than a few days, although we also take the car to Italy for a one-week spring break or autumn break (but then we opt for northern destinations).

3. Other travel tips to save

As a cheaper alternative to the car, you can also opt for the bus. FlixBus drives daily to Italy. Well, the comfort is hard to find and it takes a bit longer, but if you don't care about this, you can be in Italy for a few tenners!

If you still want to fly, don't choose Schiphol, but depart from Düsseldorf, Brussels, Eindhoven or Rotterdam. Much more relaxed, cheaper and more organized than that mess at the national airport.

4. Avoid traveling on weekends

Many holidays are still booked from Saturday to Saturday. But that is not always necessary anymore. Many accommodations have become more flexible and even offer cheaper rates if you arrive and depart on a weekday. Moreover, traveling during the week – especially in the summer – is much more relaxed than during the busy weekends.

5. Eat off the beaten path

In Italy, too, tourists flock to the best-known and most popular places. If you go for a drink or eat here, you pay the highest rates and the food is often of lower quality (the infamous tourist menu).

Feel free to ask the locals for tips. Italians like to point out a good eatery in a back street where you can eat among the locals for relatively little money.

Whatever you can go for is an economical one pizza al taglio (a point to take away) or go for a drink around aperitivo time. On many occasions you get free snacks.

Another option is to eat out less during the coming holiday and cook more yourself. You can also buy excellent ingredients in the Italian supermarkets to make a tasty (Italian) meal.

6. Choose alternative accommodation

Do you always stay in a hotel? Then you can certainly save on the prices. If you don't mind compromising on comfort, you can rent a tent on a campsite for less than half the price.

That really doesn't have to be a problem. Many rental tents are fully equipped and with a place in the shade under the trees you will also sleep cool. By choosing a rental tent, we could regularly stay longer for the same or even a lower budget. Let's face it: one week in an air-conditioned mobile home or almost 4 weeks in a rental tent?

If you have your own camping equipment, it can be even cheaper. If you go with a tent, caravan or motorhome, you only need to reserve a spot. You can also enjoy all the facilities that people with an expensive mobile home also enjoy.

7. Get outside the expensive tourist summer

This is by no means an option for everyone, because of school children or work. But if possible, travel outside the high season. Even during the school holidays outside the high season you can save a lot.

Some schools have 2 weeks May holiday. In Italy the weather is often already fine and many campsites are already open. You can book accommodation during this period at about a third of the rate in the summer. The same applies to the autumn holidays. The prices of holiday homes and hotels are suddenly a lot lower.

Additional benefits: you avoid the tourist crowds and that sweltering hot Italian summer, in which you can only develop activities early in the morning and in the evening.

How do you deal with the expensive summer of 2023?

Do you pay extra attention to the costs for your holiday in 2023? Let us know what you do or don't do to avoid high holiday costs.

Do you need more tips for a cheaper holiday in Italy? Then read this blog article.