Italy’s story spans Etruscan tombs, Roman roads, Renaissance workshops, and lagoon cities built on piles of timber. In 15 days you’ll thread that history from Rome’s imperial core to Florence’s art-filled streets and Venice’s shimmering canals—by fast trains, on two wheels, and by boat.

Expect big-ticket icons (the Colosseum, the Vatican, the Uffizi, St. Mark’s) paired with hands-on moments: biking the Appian Way, sipping Tuscan wines, and gliding past palazzi at sunset. With a vegetarian focus, you’ll eat beautifully—think market-fresh produce, handmade pastas, wild herb soups, and fruit-forward gelato.

Practical notes: intercity travel is smooth by high-speed rail; book museum entries in advance to skip lines. Spring and fall bring mild weather and golden light for photography; summer is lively but hot. Carry a refillable bottle, comfortable shoes, and a light scarf for churches.

Rome

Rome is a city of layers—Republic under Empire, baroque atop medieval—where every piazza hides a story. Between espresso-fueled mornings and twilight passeggiate, you’ll roam forums, basilicas, and neighborhood trattorie humming late into the night.

Why go now? The archaeological parks are better signed than ever, the Tiber paths are bike-friendly, and the food scene embraces vegetarians with gusto—from wood-fired pinsa to Jewish-Roman artichokes.

Days 1–5: Ancient wonders, Vatican art, bikes on the Appian Way, and nightlife in Trastevere

• Orientation & top sights: Start at the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. To maximize time and storytelling, join:
  Colosseum Arena Floor, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Guided Tour

  

  Enter through the Gladiator’s Gate for that goosebump-inducing arena view.
• Vatican masterpieces without the wait:
  Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour

  

  See Raphael Rooms and Michelangelo’s ceiling; mornings are best for smaller crowds.
• Hands-on pasta night (vegetarian-friendly):
  3 in 1 Cooking Class near Navona: Fettuccine, Ravioli & Tiramisu

  

  Request seasonal vegetarian fillings; you’ll dine on your creations.
• Evening food stroll in Trastevere:
  Winner 2025 Rome Twilight Trastevere Food Tour by Eating Europe

  

  Plenty of vegetarian tastings—ask your guide to tailor bites along the route.
• Adventurous biking: Rent a bike for the Appian Way (Via Appia Antica) and cruise past aqueducts and catacombs. Pack water; early mornings offer golden light and near-empty basalt roads.
• Museum time: Capitoline Museums for classical sculpture, and the Borghese Gallery for Bernini’s kinetic marbles (prebook; 2-hour timed slots).
• Photography & viewpoints: Sunset at Pincio Terrace over Piazza del Popolo; blue hour on the Capitoline Hill with the Forum lit below.
• Concerts: Check schedules for Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone (symphonic, jazz) or intimate Baroque programs in historic churches.

Where to stay (Rome): For a mid-range base in atmospheric Trastevere, book Hotel Santa Maria. Near Termini with great transit, Hotel Mascagni; budget travelers love The Beehive. Browse more stays on Hotels.com Rome or apartment-style options on VRBO Rome. Splurge pick: Hotel de Russie.

Eat & drink (vegetarian-friendly): Morning coffee at Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè or cornetti at Pasticceria Regoli. For lunch, pizza-by-the-slice with seasonal veg toppings at Pizzarium or artichoke-and-ricotta pinsa at Pinsa ‘ns Paranza. Dinner ideas: Ma Va’? (creative vegan Roman), Rifugio Romano (large vegan menu alongside classics), and rooftop Mater Terrae for a special-occasion vegetarian tasting menu. Gelato? Fatamorgana or Gelateria del Teatro.

Getting in & around: Fly into FCO or CIA. For Europe-origin flights, search Omio flights; from outside Europe, compare Trip.com and Kiwi.com. The Leonardo Express runs FCO–Termini in ~32 minutes (~€14). Buy local train/bus tickets on Omio trains and Omio buses.

Florence

Birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is an open-air art textbook: Brunelleschi’s dome, Donatello’s bronze, Botticelli’s brushstroke. Compact and walkable, it rewards early mornings along the Arno and evenings in the artisan quarter of Oltrarno.

Between museum marathons, you’ll bike tree-lined boulevards, taste Tuscan wines, and catch sunset from the city’s best natural balcony.

Days 6–10: Uffizi and Accademia, Oltrarno artisans, Tuscan countryside, and biking by the Arno

• Travel to Florence (morning, Day 6): Rome Termini → Firenze S. M. Novella by Frecciarossa in 1h30–1h40; morning departures are frequent. Typical fares ~€25–€60 if booked in advance on Omio trains.
• Art highlights: Prebook the Uffizi Gallery (Botticelli, Leonardo) and Accademia (Michelangelo’s David). Visit first thing or late afternoon for lighter crowds.
• Sunset viewpoint: Hike or bus to Piazzale Michelangelo for golden-hour cityscapes; blue hour reflects beautifully off the Arno.
• Tuscany in a day (with winery lunch):
  Tuscany Day Trip from Florence: Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa and Lunch at a Winery

  

  Request a vegetarian lunch plate—Tuscan beans, ribollita, pecorino, and olive oil tastings are superb.
• Wine afternoon (small group):
  Small-Group Wine Tasting Experience in the Tuscan Countryside

  

  Chianti tastings often include veg-friendly bruschette and cheeses—let your guide know your preferences.
• Adventurous biking: Rent from a reputable local shop and pedal along the Arno to Parco delle Cascine, or loop quiet Oltrarno streets and artisan studios (paper marbling, goldsmiths, frame-makers).
• Museum gems: Bargello Museum for sculpture and Medici Chapels for Michelangelo’s allegories; both are less crowded than the big two.
• Concerts: Check the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino for opera/symphony or intimate chamber concerts in historic churches.

Where to stay (Florence): Comfort without splurge at Hotel Davanzati (friendly, central). Budget-friendly Hotel Santa Croce. For a pool and sublime rooftop, consider Grand Hotel Minerva. Browse Hotels.com Florence or apartment stays on VRBO Florence. Splurge pick: Four Seasons Hotel Firenze.

Eat & drink (vegetarian-friendly): Breakfast at Ditta Artigianale (specialty coffee) or pastries at Pasticceria Nencioni. For lunch, Il Vegetariano (Florence’s classic veg canteen) or Brac (art-book cafe with inventive plates). In the evening, try Ruth’s near the Synagogue, pizza at Gusta Pizza (Margherita, marinara, or zucchini blossoms in season), and market grazing at Mercato Centrale (fresh pasta, veggie panini, truffle stands). Gelato at La Carraia or Gelateria dei Neri.

Local transport: Florence is walkable; the T2 tram connects the airport to the center in ~20 minutes. For regional trains/buses to hill towns, search Omio trains and Omio buses.

Venice

Venice is dreamlike yet practical: a city without cars where marble palaces seem to float. Beyond St. Mark’s, quiet sestieri reward aimless wandering, a cicchetto in hand and a camera ready for reflections in green-blue canals.

Your days here mix icons with island-hopping, boat rides, and a gondola glide at golden hour—plus some of Italy’s best seafood-free vegetable cooking.

Days 11–15: St. Mark’s, Doge’s Palace, gondolas, lagoon islands, and crowd-free alleys

• Travel to Venice (morning, Day 11): Firenze S. M. Novella → Venezia S. Lucia on Frecciarossa in ~2h05–2h15; fares ~€20–€55 on Omio trains. Sit on the right side for first water views as you arrive.
• Greatest hits with expert guidance (and a gondola ride):
  Best Of Venice: Saint Mark's Basilica, Doges Palace with Guide and Gondola Ride

  

  Ideal for your first full day to decode the symbols and skip long queues.
• Island-hopping adventure: Take a vaporetto to Murano (glassblowing), bright-hued Burano (lace, photography paradise), and pastoral Torcello. Consider a 24–48h pass for savings; for wider ferry options search Omio ferries.
• Museums & art: Doge’s Palace for state rooms and prisons; Peggy Guggenheim Collection for modern art along the Grand Canal. Late afternoons are calmer.
• Unique on the water: Try a Venetian rowing lesson or a kayak tour through quiet canals for a different viewpoint and great photos.
• Photography: Sunrise at Rialto Bridge and along Riva degli Schiavoni; blue hour in Dorsoduro near Salute as lanterns flicker on the water.
• Concerts: Check Teatro La Fenice for opera or Interpreti Veneziani at San Vidal for Vivaldi-rich evenings.

Where to stay (Venice): For value and convenience by the Grand Canal, Hotel Antiche Figure. Points-friendly choice with rooftop views: Hilton Molino Stucky Venice (shuttle boat to San Marco). Browse more options via Hotels.com Venice and apartment-style places on VRBO Venice. Splurge pick: The Gritti Palace.

Eat & drink (vegetarian-friendly): Breakfast at Pasticceria Tonolo (try the crema-filled krapfen) or coffee at Torrefazione Cannaregio. For light lunches, cicchetti with veggie toppings at Al Timon or Cantina Do Spade, and fresh pasta to go (ask for pomodoro, pesto, or mushroom) at Dal Moro’s. Dinner at Osteria La Zucca (a Venetian institution for vegetable-led dishes), Ostaria Anice Stellato (seasonal plates with veg options), or canalside pizza at Il Refolo. Gelato at Gelatoteca Suso.

Local transport: From VCE airport, the Alilaguna boat reaches central stops in ~50–75 minutes; ATVO bus to Piazzale Roma takes ~20 minutes then continue by vaporetto. A 48–72h vaporetto pass is cost-effective if you plan island days.

Intercity logistics at a glance

• Rome → Florence (Day 6 AM): 1h30–1h40 by Frecciarossa; ~€25–€60. Book on Omio trains.
• Florence → Venice (Day 11 AM): ~2h05–2h15 by Frecciarossa; ~€20–€55. Book on Omio trains.
• Departing Italy: For Europe flights, check Omio flights. For long-haul, compare Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

Pro tips for an adventurous, vegetarian, mid-range trip

• Reserve the headliners: Colosseum/Borghese (Rome), Uffizi/Accademia (Florence), Doge’s/St. Mark’s (Venice). Early slots reduce lines and heat.
• Go light and early: Beat crowds at sunrise for the best photography: Trevi Fountain, Ponte Vecchio, St. Mark’s Square.
• Vegetarian ordering notes: Say “sono vegetariano/a” and ask for senza carne/pesce. Look for ribollita, panzanella, cacio e pepe, pasta al pomodoro, grilled vegetables, bean stews, and seasonal contorni.
• Bike wisely: Rome’s Appian Way and Florence’s river paths are terrific; Venice is a no-bike city—save your wheels for mainland or island day trips with designated trails.

Across 15 days, you’ll trace Italy’s greatest hits and its quiet backstreets: standing on the Colosseum’s arena, sipping Chianti among rolling hills, drifting beneath Venice’s bridges. With trains doing the heavy lifting and vegetarian-friendly meals waiting on every corner, this adventure balances art, flavor, and fresh air.