Italy rewards curiosity at every corner. Ancient forums merge with buzzing piazzas, and Renaissance masterpieces live just a few steps from a lively wine bar. In one week, you can savor two of its crown jewels—Rome and Florence—by high-speed train, balancing must-see highlights with local neighborhoods that feel like your own for a night.

In Rome, marble and myth meet modern street life. You’ll wander the Colosseum and Forum, sip at century-old coffee bars, and dine in districts like Testaccio and Trastevere where Roman recipes are still cooked with stubborn pride. In Florence, elegant domes, Medici corridors, and artisan workshops set the stage for the Uffizi, Accademia, and long sunset walks along the Arno.

Practical notes: many museums use timed-entry tickets and some observe Monday closures—book ahead. Carry cash for small cafés; espresso at the bar is cheaper than table service. Trains between cities are fast, frequent, and affordable—an easy way to glide between Rome’s ruins and Florence’s Renaissance.

Rome

Rome is a living archive—layers of Republic, Empire, Papal pageantry, and 20th-century reinvention. Its greatest thrill is how daily life unfurls amid all that history: laundry lines over cobbled lanes, a baker sliding pizza bianca from an oven older than you, a Vespa’s purr ricocheting off ancient bricks.

• Top sights: Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill; Pantheon; Trevi Fountain; Spanish Steps; Vatican Museums & St. Peter’s Basilica; Galleria Borghese.
• Neighborhoods to explore: Trastevere’s golden-hour lanes; Monti’s indie boutiques; Testaccio’s market and cucina romana; the Borghese gardens for a green breather.
• Essential eats: Cacio e pepe, amatriciana, carbonara, supplì, artichokes alla romana, tiramisù, and gelato (always ask for seasonal flavors).

Stay: Browse centrally located stays near the Pantheon, Monti, or Trastevere on VRBO Rome or check boutique hotels and suites via Hotels.com Rome.

Getting to Rome: Fly into FCO (Leonardo da Vinci) or CIA (Ciampino). Compare flights with Omio (Flights). From FCO, the Leonardo Express to Termini takes ~32 minutes (~€14). Taxis from FCO have a fixed city-center fare (budget ~€50-55).

Florence

Florence feels like a beautifully bound book: compact, art-filled, and easy to read on foot. Brunelleschi’s dome watches over stone bridges, leather workshops, perfumeries, and osterie where Tuscan recipes rest on confident simplicity.

• Top sights: Duomo complex (Cathedral, Dome, Baptistery); Uffizi Gallery; Accademia (Michelangelo’s David); Palazzo Vecchio; Basilica of Santa Croce; Boboli Gardens.
• Neighborhoods: Oltrarno’s artisan studios; Santa Croce’s wine bars; San Lorenzo for markets; Santo Spirito for nocturnal buzz and trattorie.
• Signature bites: Bistecca alla fiorentina, ribollita, pappardelle al cinghiale, schiacciata sandwiches, and Chianti-classico pours.

Stay: Look around the Duomo/Signoria for convenience or the quieter Oltrarno on VRBO Florence or browse curated hotels on Hotels.com Florence.

Getting there from Rome: High-speed trains (Frecciarossa/Italo) take ~1h30, €25–€70 one way. Check schedules and book seats on Omio (Trains).

Day 1: Arrive in Rome, Evening Strolls and Classic Plates

Afternoon (arrival): Land at FCO, take the Leonardo Express (~32 min). Drop bags near the Pantheon/Monti. Espresso pick-me-up at Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè—order un caffè at the bar like a local (budget €1.50–€2).

Evening: Warm-up walk: Trevi Fountain to the Spanish Steps, then dusk at the Pantheon’s square. Dinner at Armando al Pantheon (old-school Roman—cacio e pepe is textbook) or Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina (salumi, carbonara, deep wine list; book ahead). Gelato nightcap at Giolitti—pistachio and crema are standouts.

Day 2: Colosseum, Forum, and Monti

Morning: Coffee and maritozzo (cream-filled bun) at Regoli Pasticceria. Head to the Colosseum with timed-entry; add the Arena or Underground if you’re a history buff. Continue into the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill for sweeping city views. Budget ~€18–€30 depending on bundle/tour.

Afternoon: Lunch in Monti at La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali (family-run; try amatriciana) or Urbana 47 (market-driven plates). Browse Via del Boschetto’s indie shops. Quick detour to the Church of San Pietro in Vincoli for Michelangelo’s Moses.

Evening: Aperitivo at Blackmarket Monti (craft cocktails, vintage vibe). Dinner at Trattoria Da Enzo al 29 in Trastevere (queue likely; guanciale-rich carbonara), or Taverna Trilussa (big Roman flavors in copper pans). Post-dinner wander along the Tiber’s bridges.

Day 3: Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s, and Trastevere Nights

Morning: Cappuccino and cornetto at Sciascia Caffè 1919 (Prati). Vatican Museums with timed entry—map a route: Raphael Rooms, Laocoön, and the Sistine Chapel. Allocate 2.5–3 hours. Dress code applies for basilicas.

Afternoon: St. Peter’s Basilica (Michelangelo’s Pietà; dome climb for city panoramas). Lunch at Pizzarium Bonci near Cipro (pizza al taglio: potato and rosemary is a cult favorite) or Pastasciutta for a quick fresh-pasta box.

Evening: Cross the river for Trastevere. Aperitivo at Freni e Frizioni (canalside feel, generous snack spread). Dinner at Osteria der Belli (Sardinian touch; bottarga pasta) or Da Teo (seasonal artichokes and fried fiori di zucca). Finish with grappa at Enoteca Ferrara.

Day 4: Train to Florence, Duomo Quarter and Oltrarno Sunset

Morning (travel): Early high-speed train from Roma Termini to Firenze S.M.N., ~1h30. Standard fares typically €25–€50 if booked ahead; reserve on Omio (Trains). Walk or taxi to your stay; most sights are a 10–15 minute stroll.

Afternoon: Light lunch at Mercato Centrale (upstairs food hall—try Nerbone’s lampredotto or Tortelleria for fresh pasta). Visit the Baptistery’s doors and the Cathedral interior. Consider timed tickets to climb Brunelleschi’s dome (steep, 463 steps, unforgettable).

Evening: Golden hour on Ponte Vecchio, then aperitivo at Le Volpi e l’Uva (small bar with thoughtful Tuscan pours and crostini). Dinner at Trattoria Sostanza (butter chicken and fluffy omelette—book weeks ahead) or Trattoria ZaZa (lively, broad Tuscan menu). Gelato at Gelateria La Carraia across the bridge.

Day 5: Uffizi Masterpieces and Artisan Oltrarno

Morning: Espresso at Ditta Artigianale (Via dello Sprone). Uffizi Gallery—time-slot entry; prioritize Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, Primavera, Leonardo’s Annunciation, and Caravaggio’s Medusa. Plan ~2–3 hours.

Afternoon: Lunch at I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti (schiacciata sandwiches; truffle pecorino combo is a hit) or Osteria All’Antico Vinaio’s original counter (arrive early to avoid lines). Explore artisan studios on Via Maggio and around Santo Spirito—bookbinding, marbled paper, and woodcarving shops still thrive here.

Evening: Wine flight at Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina facing Palazzo Pitti. Dinner at Trattoria Cammillo (old-Florentine hospitality; pappardelle al cinghiale) or Il Santo Bevitore (modern Tuscan, candlelit). Night stroll along the Arno’s lungarni.

Day 6: Accademia, Gardens, and Tuscan Tastes

Morning: Coffee at La Ménagère (botanical-chic, pastries). Accademia Gallery for Michelangelo’s David—arrive at opening or book a timed slot; the unfinished Prigioni offer a dramatic look at the artist’s process. Swing by the leather stalls of San Lorenzo for a browse.

Afternoon: Picnic lunch: pick up porchetta, pecorino, and olives from Sant’Ambrogio Market. Head to Boboli Gardens for a leisurely wander among grottos and cypress-lined vistas. Alternatively, take a short Chianti countryside tasting tour (3–5 hours) if vineyards call your name.

Evening: Sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo—city spreads like a painting. Celebrate with bistecca at Trattoria da Burde (classic, local crowd; short taxi from center) or Ristorante Perseus (hearty Tuscan grill). Nightcap negroni at Locale Firenze, set in a Renaissance palazzo.

Day 7: Slow Morning in Florence and Departure

Morning: Final espresso crawl—try Caffè Gilli (historic salon) or Melaleuca (Aussie-Florentine bakery with excellent cinnamon scrolls). Pop into Santa Croce (tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo) if time allows, or hunt for that perfect handmade journal.

Afternoon (departure): If flying out of Florence (FLR), the T2 tram connects the center to the airport in ~20 minutes (~€1.70). If returning to Rome for a flight, the train is ~1h30 to Termini; continue to FCO by Leonardo Express (~32 min). Compare routes and times on Omio (Trains) and flights on Omio (Flights).

Practical Pointers and Booking Notes

• Reserve timed entries for the Colosseum, Vatican Museums, Uffizi, Accademia, and Galleria Borghese (Rome) 1–3 weeks ahead in peak season. Typical tickets range €12–€30.
• Restaurant reservations are wise for popular spots (Roscioli, Sostanza, Cammillo). Many kitchens close mid-afternoon and reopen ~7–7:30 pm.
• Train tips: choose “Frecciarossa” or “Italo” for speed and comfort; Standard/Premium seats are sufficient. Book early for the best fares on Omio (Trains).
• Where to stay: Rome—Pantheon/Monti for walkability; Florence—Duomo/Santa Croce for proximity, Oltrarno for quieter nights. Browse VRBO Rome, Hotels.com Rome, VRBO Florence, and Hotels.com Florence.
• Budgeting: espresso at the bar €1.20–€2; trattoria pasta €10–€16; museum tickets €12–€30; Rome–Florence train €25–€70; taxis within centers €10–€20 depending on distance.

In seven days, you’ll trace the arc of Italy’s story—from Rome’s imperial stones to Florence’s Renaissance canvas—while eating like you’ve always belonged. This itinerary layers headline sights with neighborhood rituals, leaving room for serendipity—and a second scoop of gelato.