How much for a week on the Tuscan coast?

The Tuscan resort of Viareggio, in Italy

When: September 6th-13th

With the tour operator

For a week at the Astor Hotel in the Tuscan seaside town of Viareggio, the Citalia website (www.citalia.ie) quotes us an initial price of €2,854. The hotel has been completely renovated with a modern facade, and we are told to look forward to white sandy beaches and lush pine forest in one of the most popular resorts on the Tuscan coast. Our flights to Pisa, about 35km from the resort, are with Ryanair. The flights depart Dublin at 7.40pm on a Saturday, with the return leaving Pisa at 5.30pm seven days later. The tour operator allows you to customise your package, selecting extras as you wish. A private transfer costs €142 return; half board costs a further €202 per person. We opt for the private transfer but decide against the half board (although it might prove to be very good value). With the addition of the private transfer, the cost of the package rises to €2,996, but we also get an online booking discount of €119.

Total €2,877

On our own

Booking the hotel through the website www.epoquehotels.com, we are quoted a rate of €220 per night for a "classic" double room - although it might not have sea views, something we are promised by Citalia. The total cost of our seven-night stay when booked independently is €1,540 for bed and breakfast. Ryanair offers fares going out for €79.99 per person, with the return journey costing €119.99. When taxes and charges are added the price climbs to €483.98, to which we must add €16 in handling fees and, on the basis that an overnight bag will be insufficient, another €40 in baggage charges. A taxi from the airport to the hotel will cost approximately €85, adding a further €170 to our final bill.

Total €2,249.98

Tour operator savings €627.02