Italy rewards the curious traveler: Roman forums give way to baroque piazzas, and Renaissance domes rise over trattorias where recipes haven’t changed in generations. In one week, you can savor the greatest hits—ancient Rome, the Vatican, Florence’s art treasures—while leaving room for espresso rituals, sunset viewpoints, and vineyard lunches.

Rome is your gateway. Here, emperors built monuments to eternity and modern Romans perfected carbonara. You’ll walk the Colosseum’s arena, marvel at Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, and people-watch on cobblestones polished by centuries. Florence then reveals the Renaissance: the Duomo’s red-tiled crown, Botticelli’s ethereal figures, and artisans hammering gold jewelry steps from the Arno.

Practical notes: Reserve timed entries for major sights (Vatican Museums; Uffizi/Accademia). Dress modestly for churches (shoulders/knees covered). Expect a small city tax at hotels. Trains between cities are fast and frequent; carry a refillable bottle—public fountains offer excellent water. And yes, gelato is a daily ritual.

Rome

Rome is a living palimpsest: Etruscan stones under imperial arenas, medieval bell towers beside 17th-century fountains. The best strategy is to roam—between Monti’s wine bars, Trastevere’s ivy-clad lanes, and the grand sweep of Piazza Navona and the Spanish Steps.

• Top highlights: Colosseum and Roman Forum, Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Villa Borghese and its leafy terrace views.
• Culinary musts: supplì (fried rice balls), cacio e pepe, carciofi alla giudia (Jewish-style artichokes), and espresso at a stand-up bar.
• Local tip: For quieter moments, slip into Basilica di San Clemente (layered with history) or the Orange Garden (Giardino degli Aranci) at sunset.

Where to stay (Rome)

• Hotel de Russie (Piazza del Popolo side; leafy courtyard, excellent for walkers): Check rates
• Hotel Eden, Dorchester Collection (panoramic rooftop, refined service): Check rates
• Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel (pool, art collection, hilltop views): Check rates
• Hotel Santa Maria (beloved Trastevere boutique with orange-tree courtyard): Check rates
• The Beehive (friendly, budget-minded base near Termini): Check rates
• Explore apartments and homes: VRBO Rome | More hotels: Hotels.com Rome

Getting there: Fly into FCO (Rome Fiumicino). Compare options on Omio (flights to/from Europe). From FCO, the Leonardo Express to Termini takes ~32 minutes (about €14); official taxis have a fixed rate to central Rome (~€50–€52).

Day 1: Arrival in Rome, Piazza Navona to Trastevere

Morning: Travel day.

Afternoon: Check in, then orient yourself with a gentle stroll: Campo de’ Fiori’s produce stalls, the Bernini fountains of Piazza Navona, and the Pantheon’s perfect dome (Rome’s best free wow-moment). Sip your first espresso at Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè—order al banco and note the caramel crema.

Evening: Cross the Tiber to Trastevere. For dinner, book Da Enzo al 29 (Roman trattoria classics like amatriciana and tiramisù), or try Taverna Trilussa for rigatoni all’amatriciana served in a pan. For casual bites, I Supplì does excellent fried supplì. Nightcap at Freni e Frizioni (creative cocktails, buzzing piazza). Gelato? Otaleg on Via di San Cosimato or Fatamorgana on Via Roma Libera.

Day 2: Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Monti

Morning: Walk in through the gladiator’s gate with a guide to unlock the site’s layers and avoid long queues.

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

After the Colosseum, continue across the Roman Forum and climb Palatine Hill for a sweeping view over the city of seven hills.

Afternoon: Lunch in Monti: try Al42 by Pasta Chef (fast, handmade pasta) or La Prezzemolina (pizza al taglio with long-fermented dough). Explore Monti’s vintage shops and the Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli (Michelangelo’s Moses). For a small, superb caffè and cornetto, duck into La Casetta a Monti.

Evening: Aperitivo at Ai Tre Scalini (local wines; truffle honey ricotta). Dinner at La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali (family-run, Roman pastas and seasonal specials), then stroll to the illuminated Imperial Fora and the Vittoriano terrace for night views.

Day 3: The Vatican, St. Peter’s, and Prati

Morning: Beat the rush with priority entry to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, then continue into St. Peter’s Basilica with your guide.

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

Pause beneath Michelangelo’s ceiling, then admire the Pietà in St. Peter’s. Dress code enforced; bring a light shawl or scarf.

Afternoon: Climb St. Peter’s Dome (fees apply; elevator partway) for a postcard view. Walk to Castel Sant’Angelo’s bridge for angel statues and river vistas. Lunch nearby at Pizzarium Bonci (inventive Roman pizza by the slice) and grab a historic coffee at Sciascia Caffè 1919 in Prati.

Evening (foodie option): Explore backstreets and tastings with a guided experience in Trastevere:

Winner 2025 Rome Twilight Trastevere Food Tour by Eating Europe

Prefer DIY? Book dinner at Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina (cacio e pepe, top-shelf cured meats) or Nonna Betta in the Jewish Quarter for artichokes and Roman-Jewish cuisine. Gelato at Giolitti near the Pantheon.

Day 4: Baroque Icons, Villa Borghese, and Rooftops

Morning: Early walk to Trevi Fountain (toss a coin) and the Spanish Steps before crowds. Browse Via Condotti’s elegant windows and stop for a classic cappuccino at Antico Caffè Greco.

Afternoon: Head into Villa Borghese. If you can secure a time slot, the Galleria Borghese dazzles with Bernini’s Apollo and Daphne (reserve in advance). For a breezy overview (and a break for the feet), consider this fun city loop:

Rome Highlights City Tour by Golf Cart with Gelato

Evening: Aperitivo at Terrazza Borromini (reservations recommended) overlooking Piazza Navona. Dinner in the Ghetto at Sora Margherita (handmade pastas; casual), or at Armando al Pantheon (Roman classics; book well ahead). Night stroll past the softly lit Pantheon and across Ponte Sisto.

Rome → Florence (morning of Day 5): Take a Frecciarossa high-speed train from Roma Termini/Tiburtina to Firenze S. M. Novella; 1h 30m–1h 40m, from ~€19–€65 depending on time/date. Compare departures on Omio (trains in Europe). Trains run at least every 15–30 minutes in peak hours.

Florence

Florence is the Renaissance made walkable: Brunelleschi’s dome on the skyline, Botticelli’s Primavera in the Uffizi, artisan workshops in the Oltrarno. Distances are short; the joy is in meandering from piazza to piazza.

• Top sights: Duomo complex (Cathedral, Dome, Baptistery, Giotto’s Bell Tower), Uffizi Gallery, Accademia (Michelangelo’s David), Ponte Vecchio, Boboli Gardens.
• Food to try: bistecca alla fiorentina, ribollita, pappardelle al cinghiale, schiacciata sandwiches, and gelato at sunset along the Arno.
• Local tip: Uffizi and Accademia are closed Mondays; book timed tickets for late afternoon to dodge peak crowds.

Where to stay (Florence)

• Four Seasons Hotel Firenze (historic gardens, destination spa): Check rates
• Grand Hotel Minerva (stylish rooftop pool by Santa Maria Novella): Check rates
• Hotel Brunelleschi (steps from the Duomo, in a medieval tower): Check rates
• Hotel Davanzati (beloved boutique with aperitivo hour): Check rates
• Hotel Santa Croce (small, value stay near the basilica): Check rates
• Explore apartments and homes: VRBO Florence | More hotels: Hotels.com Florence

Day 5: Duomo, Medieval Lanes, and Oltrarno Sunset

Morning: Arrive from Rome and drop bags. Coffee and a flaky sfoglia at Scudieri on Piazza del Duomo, then step inside Florence Cathedral (free entry line). Consider the combined ticket to climb Brunelleschi’s Dome or Giotto’s Bell Tower—staggering city views reward the climb.

Afternoon: Wander to Piazza della Signoria (outdoor sculpture gallery feel), peek into Orsanmichele’s niches, and cross the Ponte Vecchio to the Oltrarno. Explore artisan studios on Via Romana and Borgo San Jacopo; espresso pick-me-up at Ditta Artigianale (Santa Croce or Oltrarno locations).

Evening: Golden-hour climb to Piazzale Michelangelo for the classic Arno-and-duomo panorama. Dinner options: Trattoria Sostanza (butter chicken and bistecca; book), 13 Gobbi (rigatoni in a hot clay bowl), or Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco (Tuscan comfort dishes). Gelato at La Carraia on the walk back.

Day 6: Full-Day Tuscany Excursion (Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa)

Let someone else do the driving as you weave through vineyards and cypress-studded hills, tasting Tuscany’s best in one day.

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

You’ll stroll Siena’s striped Duomo, sample vernaccia near San Gimignano’s towers, and cap it off beneath Pisa’s Leaning Tower. It’s a greatest-hits circuit with a proper Tuscan lunch at a winery. Back in Florence, toast the day with aperitivo at Locale Firenze (sensational cocktails in a palazzo) and late dinner at La Giostra (pear-and-pecorino ravioli; romantic vibe).

Day 7: Uffizi or David, Mercato Centrale, and Departure

Morning: Choose your masterpiece: the Uffizi (Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, Leonardo, Caravaggio) or the Accademia (Michelangelo’s David). Reserve timed entry; 90 minutes is a comfortable visit. Coffee at Caffè Gilli or a flat white at Ditta Artigianale.

Afternoon: Quick lunch at Mercato Centrale: Da Nerbone (brisket panino or lampredotto), La Pizzeria Sud (Neapolitan pies), or Il Tartufo (truffle pasta). Pick up edible souvenirs (Tuscan olive oil, cantucci) and head to Firenze S. M. Novella for your onward train—use Omio (trains in Europe)—or to FLR airport via tram/bus. Assume an afternoon departure window.

Optional adds (if you prefer to swap activities): Pasta-making evening in Florence; Boboli Gardens and Pitti Palace; a half-day Chianti wine tasting; Ostia Antica from Rome for an open-air ruin without the crowds.

Why this route works: Two bases minimize packing and maximize depth. High-speed trains make Rome–Florence effortless, and a curated day in the Tuscan countryside layers in vineyards and hill towns without a car.

At-a-glance dining cheatsheet

• Rome breakfast: Pasticceria Regoli (maritozzo), Panella (historic bakery); Coffee: Sant’Eustachio, Tazza d’Oro.
• Rome lunch: Al42 by Pasta Chef (Monti), Pizzarium Bonci (Vatican), Taverna dei Fori Imperiali (sit-down near Forum).
• Rome dinner: Da Enzo al 29, Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina, Nonna Betta; Aperitivo: Ai Tre Scalini, Terrazza Borromini.
• Florence breakfast: Scudieri, Pasticceria Nencioni; Coffee: Ditta Artigianale.
• Florence lunch: All’Antico Vinaio (schiacciata sandwiches), Mercato Centrale stalls, ‘Ino (gourmet panini).
• Florence dinner: Trattoria Sostanza, 13 Gobbi, La Giostra; Gelato: La Carraia, Gelateria dei Neri, Vivoli.

Quick safety and timing tips: Book skip-the-line entries for the Vatican and major Florence museums weeks in advance during high season. Watch for occasional transport strikes (sciopero); build a little buffer before flights. Keep an eye on valuables in crowded areas and use cross-body bags.

This 7-day Italy itinerary balances headline sights with slow moments—an espresso at the bar, a view across tiled rooftops, a new favorite trattoria. With Rome’s ancient drama and Florence’s refined artistry, you’ll leave with a camera full of icons and a palate tuned to Italy’s simple, soulful cooking.