Tour of Italy
Italy is a country that is rich in history, culture, and art and is a must destination when visiting Europe. Hope to some of the world's most iconic landmarks, delicious food, beautiful coastlines, romantic atmospheres, art, and architecture. This guide includes multiple days in Rome, Florence, Venice, Naples, and the Amalfi Coast. You can use this guide for travel to one city, or combine these cities for a 2-week tour of Italy! Each of these cities has something unique to offer, from the food to the art to the history. A trip to Italy would not be complete without visiting these amazing destinations.
Email me to get your trip booked - I can even help you book your excursions! All of the experiences below can be booked with this link.
Day by Day Guide
Rome, Italy
Day 1:
You will likely arrive in Rome in the morning or mid-afternoon, so it's a great time to check in to your hotel, freshen up, and grab a bite to eat at a local cafe. You will likely be tired from traveling, so I recommend enjoying the Welcome to Rome experience, which will be a terrific starting point for your time in Rome.
Depending on your arrival time, I recommend lunch at Antico Forno Roscioli, which is a short walk away from the Welcome to Rome experience and features delicious pizza by the slice.
If you have time, enjoy a Hop-on Hop-off Bus tour of the city or experience a private golf cart tour of the beautiful city of Rome.
Day 2:
No trip to Rome is complete without a trip to the Colosseum. Book a guided tour and enjoy the full experience. I recommend booking your tour first thing in the morning, as there should be fewer crowds and if you visit in the summer, cooler temperatures.
Later, explore the Capitoline Museum, which is a group of art and archaeological museums located in Piazza del Campidoglio, on top of the Capitoline Hill. The museum is home to some of the most iconic statues in Rome and houses a collection of ancient Roman art and artifacts. It is considered to be one of the oldest public museums in the world.
For dinner, take a cooking class! Take a break from sightseeing and take a cooking class to learn one of Italy's famous cuisines - pasta!
Day 3:
Enjoy a tour of Vatican City, the Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museum, and St. Peter's Basilica. There are many companies that provide you with a small group-tour experience, but I highly recommend you book your excursion early, as they sell out quickly. After your tour, explore more of Vatican City on your own, including the Gardens of Vatican City, and enjoy the ambiance in a local cafe for a snack or lunch.
Note: A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements.
Take a food tour for dinner! Enjoy a culinary walking tour with a guide and learn the local secrets, try samples of traditional Italian foods and desserts, and taste the local specialties.
Day 4:
Enjoy breakfast in Rome and then take a train from Rome to your next stop: Florence!
Florence, Italy
Around a 2-hour train ride, Florence allows you to immerse yourself in history, architecture, and of course, delicious food and wine.
For art lovers, visit the Piazza del Duomo, which contains Accademia Gallery of Florence, where you can see Michaelangelo's David, and then you can climb to the top of Brunelleschi’s famous Duomo that caps the Florence Cathedral. Then, visit The Uffizi Gallery to view Botticelli's Venus.
There are many tours you can book on your first day in Florence, including:
1. Taking a Vespa tour through Tuscany where you travel through the scenic hills, famous churches, and enjoy delicious food and wine.
2. Who doesn't love pizza?! Take a pizza making and gelato class for an unforgettable culinary experience.
3. Florence sunset walking tour with food and wine tastings. What isn't to love? Experience the rich culture and flavors of Tuscany while exploring the beautiful city.
Day 5:
Take a day trip from Florence to Pisa, knowing for its iconic Leaning Tower. Not only will you see this landmark, but several other beautiful places, such as the Piazza del Miracoli (where the Leaning Tower resides) and the birthplace of Galileo. There are several museums and art galleries. Pisa is also home to delicious seafood dishes and of course, wine!
Want to book a tour to Pisa? I recommend a local guided tour that also includes the cities of Siena, San Gimignano, and Pisa. Some tours include lunch and wine tastings, as well as exploring the gothic cathedral in Siena.
Day 6:
After breakfast, take a train to your next stop: Fabulous Venice!
Venice, Italy
It is around a 3-hour train ride from Florence to Venice, so enjoy the beautiful scenery on your trip!
Once you arrive in Venice, it's a perfect time for your first gondola ride! Book a ride from the train station for an iconic experience in Venice.
After checking in to your hotel, I recommend taking a walking tour of the city, experience the romantic streets, and learn fascinating history of the city. Some tours also include a gondola ride through the canals.
Day 7:
After breakfast, take a full-day tour of the most memorable attractions, including Rialto Bridge and Market, Basilica San Marco, and Doge's Palace. No visit to Venice is complete without seeing these amazing sights!
Fun fact: Did you know in Basilica San Marco there is enough mosaic to cover 1.5 American football fields?!
Day 8:
Outside Venice are the islands of the Venetian Lagoon Torcello, Murano, and Burano. Visit these locations with a tour by waterboat. Watch glass blowing at a shop in Murano, visit historic cathedrals in Torcello, and view handmade lace in Burano.
After returning from your water and island tour, take a food and wine tour of Venice! Discover tasty foods and delicious wine pairings as you traverse through the city with a local guide.
Day 9:
Enjoy your last breakfast in Venice and hop on the train to your next stop: Naples!
Naples, Italy
Relax and enjoy the beauty of scenic Italy while you take a train from Venice to Naples, which is around 6 hours long.
Once you arrive to Naples, it will likely be late afternoon and a perfect time to enjoy the delicious foods of Naples.
Take a street food tour with a local expert and get a true sense of the culinary masterpiece of Naples, along with a city tour while you eat. Learn the history of Naples as you walk and come hungry!
If you don't want to take a tour, don't miss out on the food that originated in Naples: PIZZA! Take a pizza making class, learn the secrets of a perfect pizza, and enjoy the pizza you created!
Day 10:
No trip to Naples is complete without visiting Pompeii and Vesuvius.
Book a tour with a local guide for a truly exception experience, skip-the-line to explore the ruins in Pompeii, and hike along the crater of Vesuvius. Book a tour that includes a guide and round-trip shuttle from Naples to ensure you have a personalized and magical experience. You will not regret it!
Day 11:
After your long trip to Pompeii the day before, take this day to unwind and enjoy a slower pace around the city. Some interesting places to enjoy:
1. Underground Naples - There is an official underground tour where you venture below ground and explore the city's buried history. Admire the ancient Neapolitan aqueduct and WWII air raid shelters.
2. National Archaeological Museum of Naples - Book a skip-the-line tour of the museum to enjoy the hidden treasures, including pieces from Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Enjoy your last dinner in Naples at a local eatery or cafe, and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the city as you walk through the beautiful streets.
Day 12:
After breakfast, take a train to your final stop: the Amalfi Coast.
Sorrento, Italy (Amalfi Coast)
It is around a 3-hour train ride from Naples to the Amalfi Coast. There are many beautiful cities to stay along the Coast, but I recommend staying in Sorrento.
Once you arrive in the Amalfi Coast, all you will want to do is relax and explore. This beautiful area of Italy is made for just that!
After you check in to your hotel, take some time to explore the area. If you arrive around lunch or dinner time, it's a perfect time to take a food tour. Stroll the streets of the charming city of your choosing, stop at various restaurants, and sample delicious cuisines and wines. Homemade gnocchi, mozzarellas, and gelato - mmmm!
Day 13:
This is a great day to explore the area. You can enjoy the Amalfi Coast by land or sea!
1. Sea - book a mini-cruise with tour guide and explore the amazing coastline, swim in coves, and enjoy the beautiful scenery. If there are any city stops along your tour, stroll, shop, and dine your way through the cities.
2. Land - Spend a day discovering the coast by tour as you let your guide navigate the cities and provide you with history of the area. You can choose tours that stop in Positano, Amalfi, Sorrento, and Ravello, to name a few.
Day 14:
Love to hike? This is a great day to hike the Path of the Gods. Try it on your own, or book an excursion that saves you some travel time, as well as provides you with a guided hike along the trail, so you can spend more time enjoying the beautiful sights.
Want to visit Capri? Take a tour of the Capri Blue Grotto! This is one of the most famous spots in Capri and for good reason. Book a tour early to be one of the first in the morning, as later in the day there can be long waits to get in. I also recommend booking a boat tour that includes a longer trip around Capri where you can stop, swim, and explore the island. It is magical!
Day 15:
Depart beautiful Italy with some fantastic souvenirs (like wine and olive oil for foodies or Murano glass from your trip to Venice) and some even better memories!
Looking for the best places to stay in each city?
Contact me and I can help you find the best accommodations!