Italy on a budget: what actually worked

Regional trains, market picnics and staying one town over.

I came to Italy with a loose plan and a long list. By the end, the list mattered less than the small moments in between — a conversation at a train station, a meal I didn't expect, a view I almost skipped.

The highlight for me was tuscan hill towns. Go early if you can; the light is softer and the paths are quiet. After that, florence's museums made a perfect slow afternoon.

Most of my savings came from three habits: traveling by regional transport, eating where locals eat at lunch, and staying a little outside the busiest areas.

Pack light, carry a reusable water bottle, and leave space in the day for things you can't plan. That's where most of my favorite memories came from.