re: Trip to Italy: Budget question

the prices here seem really high. If you plan and execute you can do it for less than $5k total.

Go in shoulder season if you don't have kids, I think in Italy that is October. The weather should be still nice.

And if you travel in shoulder season, don't book your rooms in advance. show up and you can find much cheaper places. Most hostels in italy have private double rooms, you might have to share a bathroom. You will still pay 100E a night but it won't be 250E people here think it is.

Also you can cook your own bfasts and maybe pack a lunch a day or two. Also, avoid tours they are usually overpriced.