In recent years the economic boom and the glut of visitors in the more touristy cities have conspired to increase prices in Italy. However, the weak lira - and now, the weak euro - often results in highly favourable exchange rates for sterling and US dollars, which helps keep real costs down. Generally you'll find the south much less expensive than the north: as a broad guide, expect to pay most in Venice, Milan, Florence and Bologna, less in Rome, while in Naples and Sicily prices come down to fairly reasonable levels.