Free and inexpensive things to do in 15 European countries

Italy: Your secret weapon against high hotel prices in Italy is www.rentalo.com, an online directory of apartments and villas that makes it possible for couples, groups of friends and even large families to afford Italy. Rome apartments for $133 a night, Venice villas for $435 a night, a Tuscany farmhouse for $110 a night or an Umbria castle apartment for $144 a night -- they're all there, complete with all the fantasy views, historic charm and all the modern comforts you could desire.