Yes, Italy is not cheap, that's my opinion.
While I was in Rome, I tried to save a little if I could, here I wanted to say that I traveled by public transport (not by taxi), the transfer from the airport to the city center was done again by train and bus (not by taxi which costs 50 euros) the train cost 14 euros, I visited St.Peter's square and the basilica on Sundays when it was free to visit.
Now it depends on everyone what they want from a vacation and of course the comfort zone.