Cutting the cost of food on your trip to Italy

Want to save money on your trip to Italy?  Preparing some or all of your own food can make a big difference.  If you book an apartment with a kitchen you’re all set.

Breakfast is an easy meal to prepare on your own.  Yes, there are breakfast cereals at the local grocery store, but you may not see a brand you recognize from home.  Yogurt and fresh fruit are readily available.  Learn to use a moka pot, the little stovetop coffee makers that are so prevalent in Italy.  Chances are there will be one in the kitchen you rent.  If not, you can easily find one at a grocery store or a Bialetti store.

Consider packing your own lunch when you go out for the day.  It will save you time and money and a picnic in a park or sitting on the steps of a piazza can be a lot of fun.

For dinner you can go a little crazy if you want to.  If  your Italian is good, stop by a marcelleria (butcher shop), a latteria (dairy), or an open air fruit and vegetable market.  Want to play it safe?  Go to a grocery store and pick up what you need for dinner.  Be prepared to pay a small fee for your shopping bags. You can also take your own bag or basket.  I bring string bags with me from home.  They are strong, expand to hold a good amount of groceries, and take up little space in a purse or day bag.

Refrigerators in Italy are generally much smaller than what Americans have in their homes.  Buy what you need for a day or two, then venture out again when the need arises.

I love to cook so I really enjoy the high quality produce, cheeses and meats available in Italy.  My husband and I eat out more when we are at home than we do while traveling in Italy and we love it.