1. Linguine alla Carbonara is simple and classic, and only requires 15 minutes, a pound of linguine ($1.79 on netgrocer.com), eggs, prosciutto ($9.45 on netgrocer.com), assorted vegetables, and extra-virgin olive oil.


2. You wouldn’t go to Rome without trying gelato, the rules are the same when Rome comes to you. Indulge in Ciao Bella Gelato for $8 a pint and pretend you’re sitting on the Ponte Vecchio.


3. Your palates are stimulated, but you’re still culturally starved. Luckily, Roman Holiday, with Audrey Hebpurn, and The Talented Mr. Ripley, with Matt Damon are the perfect dose of Italy, and only $5.20 each at Blockbuster.

Roman Holiday Price Tag: $24.80-40.00

The Regular Way:
A standard room for three nights in Rome’s Best Western Hotel President, runs about $750.
Add in eating and airfare and costs run upwards of $7,000.

The Staycation will save you: AT LEAST $7,226.00