Italy Hostel Summer Sale

The British summer is once again a disappointment - no sun or barbecue weather in sight! But you can still rescue your holiday plans; ditch the week in Wales and head to your favorite spots in Italy with a cheap last-minute break.

Italy might be on the expensive side, but with last minute Italy hostel holiday deals in the summer sale, you can enjoy a week in the sun or a weekend getaway without breaking the bank.

The home of great wine, great food, great culture nad the dolce vita, Italy is a dream summer destination for every type of traveler.

Best for students - Naples

In the steamy south of the country, Naples is an interesting and vibrant city. Less well-known on the tourist trail (and less developed) than Rome, Milan, Florence and Venice, it's an excellent place to experience a more authentic Italy - a charmingly scruffy world of cheap wine and excellent pizza.

Naples is in fact the home of the pizza and this famous dish can be picked up all over the city for a few euros - something which should appeal to students!

La Controra Flashpackers Hostel is perfect. As well as offering a cheap bed in a spacious, chic converted monastry, this hostel in Naples has a fantastic cheap bar and its own nightclub downstairs, plus a free breakfast served in the extensive gardens. With the summer sale, you can get 30% off - that's just £15 pppn.

what to do...

Naples is a bustling, hectic place in the daytime - and just as manic at night, which is great news for student travelers looking for a night out. Party til dawn in the disco-bars of the centro storico or hit Via Paladino, the city's university quarter. During the height of summer, some of the top clubs close down - but then the hot streets just turn into a party themselves, with people spreading out into the piazzas for the night.

Best for friends: Rome & Florence

For a lively weekend away with friends, you can't beat Rome and Florence when it comes to the number (and sheer variety) of things to do. Whether you're interested in culture, history, architecture, art, food or wine, there's plenty to entertain a group of friends on a budget break.

Plus Camping Michelangelo is ideal for friends traveling to Florence on a budget. Overlooking the city and River Arno, it has all the facilities you need from a hostel in Florence, plus nightly entertainment. Accommodation is rather fun - shared or private house tents are available instead of dorms, with prices from a tiny £8 in the summer sale.

In Rome, Termini Accommodation offers great value rooms. Near the main station, this Rome hostel is conveniently located in an area of cheap family-run restaurants and bars.

what to do...

Forget the 'must-see' museums and make your visit special; hire bicycles and explore the streets and monuments under your own steam. Rome's wide range of markets are another great way to spend a day (try Mercato delle Stampe for books, Campo de Fiori for food), whilst Florence, at the heart of Tuscany, is the perfect place to sample some local chianti at one of the city's vinaio (wine bars).

Best for couples - Sorrento

Known for its proximity to Pompeii and Vesuvius, Sorrento is a charming town in its own right. Glamorous but laid-back with picturesque beaches, it's a great destination for a romantic summer getaway. Without the high prices (or coach tours) of hotspots like Venice, it's perfect for lovers on a budget.

There a number of Sorrento hostels offering quiet private rooms for couples on a budget. The friendly B&B Relais Amore (its name even means love!) is conveniently central, with peaceful double rooms available for an excellent £25pp in the summer sale.

what to do...

Sunbathe and relax on the beautiful beaches! A day trip to nearby Capri or Ischia is also highly recommended - you can catch a ferry across from the harbour.