Go DIY

How much for a weekend in the Eternal City?

Where: Rome

When: October 31st-November 3rd

With the tour operator

Online travel agent Lastminute.com has a three-day weekend in Rome for just under €1,250 for two. The deal has us staying at Grand Hotel Plaza, which is, we are assured, one of the most prestigious five-star hotels in Rome. It certainly looks very plush. It is in the heart of the historical centre of the city and only a few steps from Trinità dei Monti, otherwise known as the Spanish Steps. The flights on what Lastminute tells us is a "no frills carrier" leave at 7am on Friday October 31st and depart the Italian capital three days later at 12.05pm. The package costs €624.32 per person. Breakfasts are included, but we have to cover the cost of airport transfers.

Total€1,248.64.

On our own

Grand Hotel Plaza has its own website, www.grandhotelplaza.com. The site quotes us a rate of €739.50 for the three nights, although to get that price we have to pay upfront, offsetting one of the normal advantages of DIY travel. Aer Lingus has a European seat sale, so we have high hopes of being able to get cheap seats. Although we can't find any really low fairs, the total cost of €190.87 per person is not at all bad, even when we add the ever-present handling charge of €10. The flight times are the same time as the Lastminute.com deal.

Total€1141.24.

DIY saving€107.40.