Are you looking to tour, or to tour as frugally as possible? Seriously, it seems like you are more concerned about a lot of little details more than the ride and sights themselves. No one likes wasting money and we all have our ideas about what is worthy and what isn't, but from your posts I get the sense that you might not be able to enjoy your trip if you felt like you spent a nickel more than was absolutely necessary for survival. If that's the way you want to roll, more power to you, but just remember that for most people spending a little dough on vacation and to indulge oneself is often part of the fun. For example, who would want to tour through Italy without eating the local cuisine?? Not the cheapest way to go, but then that usually isn't the point of being in Italy in the first place.