It's understandable why many Americans regard Italy as expensive. I would, too, if I'd ever been foolish enough to pay $20 for an ice cream near Rome's Trevi fountain or take a $120 gondola ride in Venice.
Thankfully, I spend far more time outside "tourist Italy" than in it. Venture beyond the country's big-ticket destinations, and you'll likely be amazed at how inexpensive it can be. It's not a case of compromise either—just like art treasures, history, and luscious landscapes, good living is everywhere.
Source: http://internationalliving.com/
