Italy rewards unhurried travelers. Over two millennia of history lie layered in Rome’s stones, while Florence’s workshops still hum with Renaissance craft. Farther south, the Amalfi Coast drapes lemon groves over cliffs that plunge into glittering Tyrrhenian water.

In this 19-day Italy itinerary, you’ll trace the arc from ancient empire to artistic rebirth, then exhale on the coast. Expect time-saving skip-the-line access in Rome, immersive wine and food experiences in Tuscany, and languid ferries to Amalfi, Positano, and Capri.

Practical notes: book major museums and Vatican entries in advance, carry small cash for espresso bars, and watch for ZTL (limited-traffic zones) if you rent a car. Shoulder seasons (April–May, September–October) offer milder weather and fewer crowds; summer brings heat and festive evenings by the sea.

Rome

The Eternal City is a theater of ruins and everyday rituals. Mornings ring with espresso cups at the counter; afternoons wander from palaces to piazzas; evenings swirl through trattorie and wine bars. You’ll stand on the Colosseum’s arena, gaze up at the Sistine Chapel, and taste Rome’s cucina povera made glorious.

Getting to Rome: Fly into FCO (Leonardo da Vinci). Compare fares and schedules on Omio (flights); travelers coming from outside Europe can also check Kiwi.com. The Leonardo Express train to Termini takes ~32 minutes; taxis have a fixed city-center fare.

Where to stay (curated picks + search):

• Hotel Eden, Dorchester Collection — opulent hilltop address near Via Veneto, with sweeping city views.
• Hotel de Russie — an iconic garden retreat between Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps.
• Hotel Santa Maria — restful Trastevere courtyard hotel, perfect for evening strolls.
• The Beehive — design-forward budget base near Termini with a friendly community vibe.
• Browse more: VRBO Rome apartments | Hotels.com Rome

Days 1–3: Ancient Rome, Fountains & Piazzas

Start with the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill to anchor the city’s story. Drift through the Baroque center—Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona—at golden hour when marble glows. Evenings are for trattorie and gelato.

• Guided Colosseum experience: Choose one of these excellent small-group tours for fast-track access and context:

Rome: Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill Guided Tour

Colosseum Arena Floor, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Guided Tour

• Breakfast/coffee: Roscioli Caffè (buttery maritozzi and precise espresso); Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè (historic wood-roasted beans by the Pantheon).
• Lunch: Forno Campo de’ Fiori (pizza bianca still warm from the oven); Trapizzino (pocket breads stuffed with Roman classics like oxtail or chicken cacciatora).
• Dinner: Armando al Pantheon (perfect cacio e pepe, artichokes); Cesare al Casaletto (neighborhood trattoria, exemplary fried starters). Reserve ahead.
• Sweet stop: Giolitti for old-school gelato; Fatamorgana for creative seasonal flavors.

Days 4–6: Vatican, Trastevere & Hidden Rome

Dedicate a morning to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s, then meander across the Tiber into Trastevere’s ivy lanes. Add an Appian Way bike ride or a keyhole peek at the Knights of Malta for a dash of whimsy.

Skip-the-Line Group Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica

Winner 2025 Rome Twilight Trastevere Food Tour by Eating Europe

Rome Highlights City Tour by Golf Cart with Gelato

• Trastevere eats: Da Enzo al 29 (classic Roman dishes in a cozy room), Pizzeria Ai Marmi (paper-thin pies, lively atmosphere). Nightcap at Salotto 42 near the Pantheon.
• Markets & moments: Campo de’ Fiori produce stands before 10 a.m.; the orange-scented terrace of the Aventine’s Giardino degli Aranci at sunset.

Next stop – Florence: Morning high-speed train Rome Termini → Firenze S.M.N. in ~1h30. Typical fares €25–€55 if booked early. Check times and prices on Omio (trains).

Florence

Cradle of the Renaissance, Florence compresses masterpieces into a walkable mosaic of chapels, palazzi, and workshops. Beyond the Duomo’s terracotta crown, the Arno curves toward the artisan quarter of the Oltrarno where goldsmiths, bookbinders, and woodcarvers keep age-old skills alive.

Where to stay (curated picks + search):

• Four Seasons Hotel Firenze — a frescoed haven in an aristocratic garden.
• Hotel Brunelleschi — history-rich boutique steps from the Duomo.
• Hotel Della Signoria — value and location near Ponte Vecchio.
• Hotel Santa Croce or Hotel Davanzati — personable stays in the historic center.
• Browse more: VRBO Florence apartments | Hotels.com Florence

Days 7–9: Duomo, Uffizi, Oltrarno

Climb Brunelleschi’s dome for a close look at Vasari’s frescoes, then browse the Uffizi’s Botticellis and Caravaggios. Cross Ponte Vecchio into the Oltrarno for artisan workshops and sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo.

• Breakfast/coffee: Ditta Artigianale (specialty coffee flights); Pasticceria Nencioni (classic cornetti, friendly counter service).
• Lunch: Da Nerbone in Mercato Centrale (brisket panino, Florentine style); All’Antico Vinaio (schiacciata sandwiches—arrive early).
• Dinner: Trattoria Mario (lunch-only, bistecca alla fiorentina), Buca Lapi (cellar restaurant for steak and Tuscan starters). Digestif: Negroni, born here in 1919.
• Gelato: La Carraia or Gelateria dei Neri for creamy classics.

Days 10–12: Tuscan Hills, Wine & Cooking

Use Florence as your springboard to Siena’s scallop-shaped piazza, the towers of San Gimignano, and vine-striped Chianti. Alternate a full-day countryside tour with a hands-on pasta class back in town.

Tuscany Day Trip from Florence: Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa and Lunch at a Winery

Small-Group Wine Tasting Experience in the Tuscan Countryside

SMALL-GROUP Wine Safaris: Tuscan Wine Tasting Tours from Florence

Florence: Pasta Cooking Class with Unlimited Wine

• DIY day trips: Florence → Pisa by train (~1h); Florence → Siena by bus or regional train (~1.5–2h). Plan with Omio (trains) or Omio (buses).

Next stop – Amalfi Coast: Morning departure. Firenze S.M.N. → Napoli Centrale on a high-speed train (~2h50, €35–€75). From Naples, continue by seasonal ferry to Positano/Amalfi (~1–2h; check Omio (ferries)) or bus to Amalfi (~1.5–2h). Private transfers are the most direct if you have luggage.

Amalfi Coast

Here, cliffside villages cascade toward cobalt coves, church domes glitter with majolica tiles, and evenings taste of lemon and sea salt. Base yourself in Positano, Amalfi, or quieter Praiano; day trip to Ravello’s gardens and Capri’s grottoes.

Where to stay (curated picks + search):

• Le Sirenuse (Positano) — an Amalfi Coast icon with cinematic views.
• Hotel Poseidon (Positano) or Hotel Savoia (Positano) — classic Positano stays near beaches.
• Hotel Margherita (Praiano) — excellent value and sunsets from the terrace.
• NH Collection Grand Hotel Convento di Amalfi (Amalfi) or Hotel Marina Riviera (Amalfi) — historic monastery setting vs. beachfront elegance.
• Browse more: VRBO Amalfi Coast villas | Hotels.com Amalfi Coast

Days 13–16: Coast, Capri & Ravello

Spend your first coastal day unwinding on Positano’s Spiaggia Grande or Amalfi’s Marina Grande. Next, take a ferry to Capri for the dramatic Faraglioni and a boat circuit of the island; linger in Anacapri’s quieter lanes.

• Ferries: Positano/Amalfi ↔ Capri ~50–80 minutes. Check routes on Omio (ferries), especially in shoulder season when schedules change.
• Ravello afternoon: Stroll Villa Cimbrone’s Terrace of Infinity and Villa Rufolo’s gardens, then aperitivo on Piazza Duomo as music drifts from summer concerts.
• Hike: Path of the Gods (Agerola → Nocelle, ~2.5–3h). Start early; carry water. Panoramas sweep the entire coastline.
• Eats & treats: Breakfast at Pasticceria Pansa (Amalfi, since 1830); healthy lunch at Casa e Bottega (Positano). Book Da Adolfo (Laurito beach) for grilled seafood in season; Il Pirata (Praiano) for candlelit tables over the water. Try lemon granita from roadside stands.

Days 17–19: Pompeii, Sorrento & a Lazy Beach Day

Dedicate one morning to Pompeii—an arresting snapshot of daily life paused in 79 CE. Pair it with a Sorrento wander for marquetry shops and a limoncello tasting; leave your final day open for the beach.

Pompeii Small Group Tour with an Archaeologist

• Getting there: Amalfi/Positano → Sorrento by ferry or bus (1–1.5h), then Circumvesuviana train to Pompeii Scavi (~35 min, ~€3.60). Timetables via Omio.
• Lunch in Sorrento: Da Emilia (Marina Grande, simple seafood), Il Buco (refined tasting menus; reserve).
• Final coast day: Rent a beach lounger at Fornillo (Positano) or Lido delle Sirene (Amalfi) and swim between long, lazy lunches.

Departure: From Amalfi/Positano, head to Naples for flights/trains. Naples → Rome by high-speed rail takes ~1h10; compare options on Omio (trains). For flights out of Naples or Rome, check Omio (flights) or, for non-European routes, Kiwi.com.

Optional Rome Add-ons (if you want more ancient history):

If you’d like a second Vatican perspective or a different Colosseum angle, consider these alternates during your Rome block:

Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour

Rome: Colosseum with Arena, Roman Forum and Palatine Guided Tour

Why this route works: North-to-south flow minimizes backtracking; high-speed trains keep travel days short; and you get a balanced mix of city art, countryside wine, and seaside downtime.

Trip summary: Nineteen days let you see Rome’s greatest hits without rushing, savor Florence and the Tuscan hills, then slow down on the Amalfi Coast with Capri boat rides and a Pompeii guided visit. You’ll return with a camera full of sunsets—and a list of trattorie you’ll dream about long after you’re home.