As of November 12, 2026, the cheaper of the two for travelers is Belgium: a mid-range day costs about $153 there, against $157 in the other (Italy), a gap of 2.3%. Over the past year the one that moved more in the US-dollar traveler's favor is Italy (+4.9% after inflation, against +4.4%). Both sit at US advisory Level 2.
| Measure | Belgium | Italy |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range day | $153 | $157 |
| Lean day | $72 | $76 |
| Comfortable day | $338 | $344 |
| Real change, 12 months | +4.4% | +4.9% |
| Exchange rate alone, 12 months | +4.5% | +4.5% |
| Versus 5-year average | −0.8% | +1.6% |
| US advisory | Level 2 · Increased caution | Level 2 · Increased caution |
| Ease of travel | 4.8 · Effortless | 4.8 · Effortless |
| Index score | 55 | 55 |
| Best months | May, Jun, Sep | May, Jun, Sep |
| Shoulder months | Apr, Oct, Dec | Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov |
The better figure in each row is in bold. Costs are modeled estimates per person, excluding international flights.
Three medieval cities and a capital within an hour of each other by train.
The catchBrussels hotel prices swing with the EU calendar, and Bruges is crowded and marked up from Easter to September.
The country everyone wants to visit, priced accordingly in four cities and reasonably everywhere else.
The catchVenice, Florence, Rome and the Amalfi Coast are expensive and overwhelmed from May to September. City tourist taxes add up.
Source: Trip Arbitrage (triparbitrage.com), reading of November 12, 2026. How this is calculated.