Italy rewards the curious traveler: one moment you’re face-to-face with emperors and popes; the next you’re sipping an espresso that tastes like it has its own origin myth. In one compact week, you’ll savor Rome’s ancient drama, Florence’s Renaissance glow, and the hills of Tuscany—without breaking your budget.

Rome, founded according to legend in 753 BCE, still feels like the world’s most theatrical city. Gladiator arenas and baroque piazzas sit beside bakeries perfuming cobblestones with cornetti. Florence—cradle of the Renaissance—puts you eye-to-eye with Michelangelo’s David and offers a slower rhythm of wine bars, artisans, and river sunsets.

Practical notes: expect city hotel taxes at check-in, avoid driving inside ZTL restricted zones, and keep valuables secure on public transit. Eat like a local—standing at the bar for coffee costs less, tap water is safe, and set lunch menus can be terrific value. This itinerary prioritizes walkable neighborhoods, train travel, and affordable, beloved eateries.

Rome

Rome is a living museum—and a living city. One hour you’re on the Colosseum’s arena floor; the next you’re hunting down the perfect pizza al taglio. Neighborhoods like Trastevere and Monti mix medieval lanes with convivial wine bars, tiny trattorie, and independent shops.

Top sights include the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Pantheon, and baroque showstoppers like Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona. Don’t skip small pleasures: a maritozzo (cream-filled bun) with coffee, or a sunset passeggiata (stroll) along the Tiber.

• Where to stay (moderate budget): Look near Monti (walkable to ancient sites), Trastevere (nightlife and dining), or Prati (quieter, near the Vatican). Browse VRBO Rome stays or compare hotels on Hotels.com Rome.
• Getting there: Fly into FCO (Leonardo da Vinci) or CIA (Ciampino). For intra‑Europe flights search Omio Flights; from outside Europe, compare on Kiwi.com. From FCO, trains run to Termini (about €8–14; 32–48 minutes). Buses can be the cheapest option to Termini (often €6–€7).

Day 1: Arrival in Rome, Centro Storico and Trastevere

Morning: Travel day. Book flights into Rome using Omio Flights (within Europe) or Kiwi.com (from abroad). If you land early, drop bags and refresh.

Afternoon: Ease in with an espresso at Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè (balanced, slightly caramelized roast) or Tazza d’Oro near the Pantheon. Wander the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and Campo de’ Fiori market. Snack on pizza bianca at Forno Campo de’ Fiori or a supplì (fried rice ball) from Supplizio.

Evening: Cross the Tiber for a relaxed Trastevere stroll. Dinner options: Da Enzo al 29 (cacio e pepe, amatriciana; book or queue), Trattoria Da Teo (excellent Roman artichokes in season), or Trapizzino (triangular “pizza pockets” with classic fillings; very budget-friendly). Gelato at Fior di Luna or Otaleg’ before bed.

Day 2: Ancient Rome, Monti, and Aperitivo

Morning: Fuel up at Panella (historic bakery) or Pasticceria Regoli (try the maritozzo). Then step back two millennia with a guided tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.

Featured Activity (Viator): Rome: Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill Guided Tour. Walk in the footsteps of gladiators and emperors as your guide brings Ancient Rome to life.

Afternoon: Explore Monti’s lanes (Via del Boschetto, Via Urbana) for indie boutiques and artisan studios. Lunch ideas: La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali (family-run Roman classics) or pasta at Trattoria da Valentino. Grab gelato at Fatamorgana Monti (inventive, natural flavors).

Evening: Aperitivo near the Colosseum at Caffè Propaganda (spritz and snacks). Dinner: Pizzeria alle Carrette (thin-crust Roman pizza) or Li Rioni (cozy, neighborhood favorite). Nightcap in Monti at Fafiuché (wine and small plates).

Day 3: Vatican Treasures and a Trastevere Food Tour

Morning: Breakfast at Roscioli Caffè (signature maritozzo, silky cappuccino). Head to the Vatican with skip-the-line access to maximize time and minimize queues.

Featured Activity (Viator): Skip-the-Line Group Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica. See the Vatican Museums’ highlights, Michelangelo’s frescoes, and the grandeur of St. Peter’s with expert context.

Afternoon: If energy allows, climb St. Peter’s dome for sweeping city views. For a quick, budget-friendly bite, head to Pizzarium Bonci near Cipro (creative Roman pizza squares) or Pastasciutta (fresh pasta to-go near Vatican walls). Rest at Villa Doria Pamphilj’s lawns if you crave greenery.

Evening: Cap the Rome chapter with a guided food crawl through Trastevere—perfect for tasting variety without guesswork.

Featured Activity (Viator): Winner 2025 Rome Twilight Trastevere Food Tour by Eating Europe. An award-winning evening of tastings from salumi and suppli to Roman pastas and gelato.

Florence

Florence concentrates extraordinary art into a compact, walkable center: Brunelleschi’s dome, Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, and Michelangelo’s David are minutes apart. Beyond the museums, life hums in wine bars, markets, and the artisan workshops of the Oltrarno.

Highlights include the Duomo complex and Baptistery, Uffizi Gallery, Accademia, Ponte Vecchio, Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens, plus sunset views from Piazzale Michelangelo. Food skews hearty: ribollita (Tuscan vegetable-bread soup), bistecca alla fiorentina, and schiacciata filled with salumi.

• Where to stay (moderate budget): Near Santa Maria Novella (transport and value), Santa Croce (lively dining), or Oltrarno (local vibe). Browse VRBO Florence stays or compare on Hotels.com Florence.
• Getting from Rome to Florence: Morning high-speed trains take ~1h30 between Roma Termini and Firenze S. M. Novella. Typical fares €25–€55 if booked ahead. Compare times and prices on Omio Trains; budget buses (~3.5–4h, ~€12–€25) on Omio Buses.

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

Morning: Depart Rome on a Frecciarossa/Italo train (~1h30; aim for a departure between 8:00–10:00). Grab a simple station breakfast—cornetto and cappuccino—to keep costs low. Check in or store bags near Firenze SMN.

Afternoon: Orientation walk: Piazza del Duomo (admire the cathedral’s façade and the Baptistery’s bronze doors), Via dei Calzaiuoli to Piazza della Signoria, then Ponte Vecchio. Lunch on schiacciata sandwiches: I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti (well-stuffed, shorter lines than the famous spot) or All’Antico Vinaio (go early or late to avoid queues). Coffee break at Ditta Artigianale (specialty roast).

Evening: Golden-hour climb to Piazzale Michelangelo; continue five minutes to San Miniato al Monte for a quieter view and Gregorian chants at vespers. Dinner in the Oltrarno: Osteria Santo Spirito (creamy truffle gnocchi, half portions available) or Trattoria La Casalinga (home-style Tuscan plates at fair prices). Gelato at La Carraia.

Day 5: Renaissance Masterpieces and Tuscan Flavors

Morning: Book the Accademia early slot to meet Michelangelo’s David before crowds. Pre-museum pastry at Caffè Gilli (historic café) or Pasticceria Sieni (classic Florentine treats). Stroll the San Lorenzo area and the outdoor leather stalls afterward (practice your bargaining).

Afternoon: Uffizi Gallery: prioritize Botticelli, Leonardo, and Raphael rooms; take short breaks to avoid art fatigue. Lunch options: Mercato Centrale (upstairs food hall—lampredotto sandwiches, fresh pasta, pizza by the slice) or Trattoria Sergio Gozzi (lunch-only, hearty Tuscan mains).

Evening: Aperitivo at Le Volpi e L’Uva (small but mighty wine bar with crostini) near Ponte Vecchio. Dinner choices: Gusta Pizza (wood-fired pies; dine on the steps of Santo Spirito if weather is kind) or Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco (Tuscan staples; share the bistecca to keep costs reasonable). Night stroll along the Arno.

Day 6: Full-Day Tuscany—Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa, and Winery Lunch

Featured Activity (Viator): Tuscany Day Trip from Florence: Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa and Lunch at a Winery. A value-packed way to sample hill towns, medieval towers, Pisa’s Leaning Tower, and a Chianti-side winery meal—all in one day, with transport and logistics handled.

This is a long but memorable day. Expect an early start near Santa Maria Novella, scenic drives, guided walks in Siena, free time among San Gimignano’s towers, a relaxed winery lunch with local reds, and a photo finish in Pisa. It’s ideal for travelers who want breadth without renting a car or navigating ZTL zones.

Day 7: Slow Morning in Florence, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Easy start with espresso and a sfoglia at Pasticceria Nencioni (locals’ favorite) or Caffè Piansa (excellent beans). If you have an hour, wander the Boboli Gardens for greenery and city views, or browse Oltrarno workshops for leather, paper marbling, and jewelry.

Afternoon: A final lunch of ribollita or pappa al pomodoro at Trattoria da Rocco (Sant’Ambrogio Market) or a quick panino at Semel (creative fillings). Head to Florence Airport (FLR) by tram T2 (~20 minutes) or return to Rome by train if flying out there. Search flights on Omio Flights (within Europe) or Kiwi.com (long-haul). For trains, compare on Omio Trains.

Evening: Departure day—save time for a last gelato. If staying another night, try Il Santo Bevitore (modern Tuscan) or La Bussola (reliable pizzas and pastas) for a relaxed farewell dinner.

Budget-Savvy Tips You’ll Use

• Buy museum entries ahead for prime slots (especially Accademia/Uffizi and the Vatican). Skip-the-line tours save hours in peak season.
• Stand at the bar for coffee to pay less; look for “coperto” (cover charge) on menus; house wine (vino della casa) is usually excellent value.
• Bring a reusable bottle: Rome’s nasoni fountains and Florence’s public spigots offer free potable water.
• Transit: in Rome, metro/buses are economical; in Florence, you’ll walk most places. Taxis are regulated—ask for an estimate before longer rides.

Optional Add-Ons (if you have extra energy)

• Rome by golf cart (low-effort overview): Rome Highlights City Tour by Golf Cart with Gelato for a breezy city sampler.

  

Accommodation quick links: VRBO Rome | Hotels.com Rome | VRBO Florence | Hotels.com Florence

This 7-day Italy itinerary balances headline sights with neighborhood flavor and downtime. You’ll trace ancient Rome, savor Vatican treasures, linger over Florence’s masterpieces, and roll through Tuscan hills—tasting along the way. Expect to return home full—in every sense of the word.