Italy rewards curiosity. In two weeks, you’ll wander the marble bones of the Roman Empire, meet Renaissance geniuses in Florence, and glide past Gothic palazzi in Venice. This route favors high-speed trains, historic neighborhoods, and meals that feel like local secrets shared at the table.

Expect a gentle pace with focused highlights rather than checklist fatigue. We group days by city so you can linger in piazzas, take late dinners, and say “yes” to that second gelato. Museum reservations are essential; trains are quick; espresso is non-negotiable.

Practical notes: pickpockets work crowded sites—wear a crossbody with zippers. Major museums (Uffizi, Accademia) close Mondays; the Vatican Museums are often closed Sundays. Book popular restaurants and must-see tours weeks ahead, especially April–October and around holidays.

Rome

Rome is an open-air museum layered with emperors, popes, and bohemians. Mornings smell like cornetti and coffee; evenings hum with Vespas and clinking glasses along cobbled lanes. Base yourself near Centro Storico, Trastevere, or Monti for walkable days and cinematic nights.

Days 1–5: The Eternal City—Antiquity, Baroque Splendor, and Neighborhood Eats

• Arrival & logistics. Fly into Rome Fiumicino (FCO). Compare fares on Omio (flights within/to Europe), or use Trip.com or Kiwi.com for long-haul options. The Leonardo Express train to Termini takes ~32 minutes (~€14). Taxis have a fixed city-center fare (~€50); insist on the set price.
• Ancient Rome, vividly told. Prebook a guided Colosseum and Forum experience to skip queues and decode the ruins. Consider:
  • Rome: Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Guided Tour

    

  • Colosseum Arena, Palatine & Forum – Gladiator’s Stage Tour

    

• The Vatican’s masterpieces. See the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel before crowds if possible. Choose one great tour and commit:
  • Skip-the-Line Group Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica

    

  • Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel Tour and Basilica Access

    

  Dress code: shoulders/knees covered for St. Peter’s. Plan on 3–4 hours.

• Eat your way through Trastevere. An expert-led evening stroll layers food history with tastings—ideal for your first nights to learn what to order later:
  • Winner 2025 Rome Twilight Trastevere Food Tour by Eating Europe

    

• Optional long day trip (12–13 hours). If you crave a coastal interlude, this small-group excursion pairs ancient Pompeii with the Amalfi Drive and Positano:
  • Pompeii, Amalfi Coast and Positano Day Trip from Rome

    

• Borromini, Bernini, and Baroque Rome. Wander Piazza Navona, the Pantheon (visit near sunset for dramatic light), and Trevi Fountain at dawn when it’s quiet.
• Neighborhood strolls. Browse Monti’s boutiques, Testaccio’s market stalls and street art, and the Janiculum Hill for golden-hour city views.
• Coffee & breakfast favorites.
  • Roscioli Caffè (espresso, maritozzi with whipped cream; stand at the bar like a local).
  • Panificio Bonci (inventive pastries and pizza al taglio near the Vatican).
  • Caffè Sant’Eustachio (classic Roman roast steps from the Pantheon).
• Lunch picks.
  • Forno Campo de’ Fiori (grab slices of pizza bianca stuffed with mortadella).
  • Trattoria Da Enzo al 29 (Trastevere standby; carbonara and artichokes—arrive early or book).
  • Mercato Testaccio (supplì, porchetta, fresh pasta counters; perfect for grazing).
• Dinner ideas.
  • Armando al Pantheon (old-school Roman recipes—book well ahead).
  • Taverna Trilussa (ample Roman pasta in copper pans; courtyard tables).
  • Da Remo in Testaccio (thin-crust Roman pizza; crisp edges and a lively scene).

Where to stay in Rome. Search trusted options near the Centro Storico or Trastevere on Hotels.com or browse apartments on VRBO. A few standout hotel picks:

• Hotel de Russie, a Rocco Forte Hotel (secret-garden courtyard between Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps).
• Hotel Eden, Dorchester Collection (rooftop views and refined service near Via Veneto).
• Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel (hilltop resort vibe with an art collection and a three-star Michelin restaurant).
• Hotel Santa Maria (Trastevere hideaway set around an orange-tree courtyard).
• The Beehive (friendly boutique/hostel hybrid near Termini; value-forward).

Train to Florence (Day 6 morning). From Roma Termini to Firenze S. M. Novella on a high-speed Frecciarossa takes ~1h30–1h40. Expect €25–€60 if booked early; seats assigned. Check times and fares on Omio (trains in Europe).

Florence

Florence is the Renaissance in high definition—Brunelleschi’s dome, Botticelli’s Venus, and Michelangelo’s David all within a compact historic center. Beyond the art, it’s a city of artisans: leather workshops, goldsmiths on the Ponte Vecchio, and cafes that take espresso seriously.

Days 6–10: Renaissance Masterpieces, Tuscan Flavors, and Hilltop Sunsets

• Art essentials (book timed tickets). See the Accademia for the David (45–60 minutes suffices), then give the Uffizi a focused 2–3 hours: Giotto, Botticelli, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Caravaggio. Both are typically closed Mondays; early slots beat the rush.
• Duomo climb and viewpoints. Climb Brunelleschi’s Cupola or Giotto’s Campanile for stone-and-terracotta panoramas. For a softer ascent, take golden hour at Piazzale Michelangelo and the nearby rose garden.
• Oltrarno artisans. Cross the Arno to Santo Spirito and San Niccolò for woodcarvers, printmakers, and small ateliers. Pop into small wine doors (buchette del vino) where vintners once sold through tiny portals.
• Day trip options (choose one).
  • Chianti villages & tastings: Greve, Panzano, Castellina; rolling vineyards and cellar tours.
  • Siena & San Gimignano: Gothic grandeur and medieval towers; buses and tours are frequent.
  • Pisa & Lucca: Pair the Leaning Tower with Lucca’s bikeable Renaissance walls.

  Check trains/buses and small-group tours on Omio. Many routes are 1–1.5 hours each way; expect €12–€35 round-trip.

• Coffee & breakfast.
  • Ditta Artigianale (specialty coffee; try a flat white with a maritozzo).
  • Pasticceria Nencioni (old-school pastries near Sant’Ambrogio Market).
  • Scudieri (elegant bar for cornetti on Piazza San Giovanni).
• Lunch favorites.
  • Trattoria Mario (Tuscan staples—ribollita, bistecca—communal tables; go early).
  • All’Antico Vinaio (famous schiacciata sandwiches; the La Favolosa lives up to the name).
  • Mercato Centrale (upstairs food hall for fresh pasta, lampredotto, and gelato under one roof).
• Dinner ideas.
  • Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco (Oltrarno; pappardelle al cinghiale and a deep Tuscan wine list).
  • Trattoria Sostanza (butter chicken and artichoke omelet in a historic wood-paneled room).
  • Gusta Pizza (wood-fired pies; take one to the steps of Santo Spirito).
• Evening walks. Trace the Arno from Ponte Vecchio to Ponte Santa Trinita for perfect dome-and-bridge reflections, then gelato at La Carraia or Vivoli.

Where to stay in Florence. Stay near the Duomo or Oltrarno to walk everywhere. Compare hotels on Hotels.com and apartments on VRBO. Look for terraces in Santo Spirito or quiet streets behind Santa Croce for nights that still feel local.

Train to Venice (Day 11 morning). Firenze S. M. Novella to Venezia Santa Lucia on Frecciarossa takes ~2h05–2h15. Book early on Omio for €25–€60. Sit on the right side for lagoon views as you arrive.

Venice

Venice is a floating labyrinth of stone and light, where every alley ends in water and every hour changes the color of the palazzi. Stay where you can walk to Saint Mark’s at dawn and have the Rialto to yourself at dusk.

Days 11–14: Canals, Craft Traditions, and Island Time

• Orientation and timing. Venice rewards early and late hours. See St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace near opening; stroll the Riva degli Schiavoni before day-trippers flood in.
• Rialto and cicchetti culture. Snack-hop through bacari (Venetian wine bars) near the Rialto Market: try baccalà mantecato, sarde in saor, and polpette with a spritz or ombra (small wine).
• Islands of the lagoon. Murano for glassblowing, colorful Burano for lace and pastel houses, and quiet Torcello for a time-warp cathedral mosaic. A 24–48-hour vaporetto pass is cost-effective if you’ll island-hop.
• Hidden Venice. Explore Cannaregio’s canals and the old Ghetto at twilight; in Dorsoduro, peek into small galleries and the Zattere promenade for sunset across the Giudecca Canal.
• Coffee & breakfast.
  • Torrefazione Cannaregio (roastery aromas and serious espresso near the Ghetto).
  • Pasticceria Tonolo (beloved pastries; try the crema-filled frittelle when in season).
  • Caffè Florian (historic salon on St. Mark’s—pricier, but a “once” experience with live music).
• Lunch favorites.
  • Osteria Al Portego (standing-room cicchetti and rustic plates down a tiny alley).
  • Cantina Do Spade (near Rialto; 15th-century tavern vibes with classic bites).
  • Osteria Alla Staffa (small, friendly spot for bigoli in salsa and seafood pastas).
• Dinner ideas.
  • Osteria alle Testiere (tiny seafood temple—book far ahead; pristine crudo and clams).
  • Al Timon (Cannaregio; canal-side tables and hearty grills—order the tagliata).
  • Anzolo Raffaele (romantic Dorsoduro nook with lagoon fish and seasonal vegetables).
• Gondola or alternatives. A traditional gondola is ~€90 for 30 minutes (day) and ~€110 after 7 p.m. For a local slice, take a €2 traghetto across the Grand Canal standing like Venetians do.

Where to stay in Venice. Dorsoduro and Cannaregio offer atmosphere without Saint Mark’s crowds; San Polo is a happy medium near the Rialto. Browse hotels on Hotels.com or find an apartment with canal views on VRBO. Check building access (bridges, stairs) and vaporetto proximity if carrying luggage.

Putting It All Together: Multi-Day Blocks

• Days 1–5 (Rome): Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine; Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s; baroque circuit (Pantheon, Navona, Trevi); Trastevere food tour; optional Pompeii/Amalfi day trip; evenings in Monti/Testaccio. Coffee: Sant’Eustachio and Roscioli; dinner: Armando al Pantheon or Da Remo.
• Days 6–10 (Florence): Accademia (David), Uffizi, Duomo climb; artisan Oltrarno; day trip (Chianti, Siena/San Gimignano, or Pisa/Lucca); sunsets at Piazzale Michelangelo. Coffee at Ditta Artigianale; bistecca night at Sostanza or Cinghiale Bianco.
• Days 11–14 (Venice): St. Mark’s and Doge’s Palace at opening; cicchetti crawl around Rialto; islands of Murano, Burano, Torcello; gondola or traghetto; quiet evenings in Cannaregio/Dorsoduro. Don’t miss Torrefazione Cannaregio espresso and seafood at alle Testiere.

Intercity Transport Summary

• Rome → Florence (Day 6, morning): 1h30–1h40 by high-speed train; €25–€60. Book via Omio. Aim for departures ~9:00 to check in by late morning.
• Florence → Venice (Day 11, morning): 2h05–2h15 by high-speed train; €25–€60 on Omio. Sit right-hand for lagoon approach.
• Departing Venice: Trains from Venezia Santa Lucia or Mestre connect across Italy and Europe (Omio). For flights, compare Omio (intra-Europe) and long-haul on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Trip budgeting tips. Reserve the big museums and two marquee tours (Colosseum/Forum and Vatican) in Rome; choose one guided food experience and one day trip. In Florence and Venice, mix paid highlights with hours of free wandering—Italy’s great gift.

In two weeks you’ll taste Rome’s living antiquity, Florence’s Renaissance brilliance, and Venice’s waterbound poetry—connected by swift trains and unhurried meals. Return home with a camera full of domes and canals and a notebook of trattorie to revisit.