“Ciao” is Italy’s calling card—so this 7-day itinerary focuses on two classics: Rome and Florence. You’ll trace the foundations of the Roman Empire, then step into the Renaissance where marble figures and dome silhouettes still define the skyline.

Expect monumental icons—the Colosseum, Vatican Museums, the Duomo, and the Uffizi—balanced with neighborhood walks, artisan workshops, and markets where lunch comes in paper wraps. We’ll show you how to move smartly by train, what to book in advance, and where locals actually eat.

Practical notes: pickpockets cluster around major sights and transit; carry only what you need. Churches require covered shoulders and knees. Book timed-entry tickets (Colosseum, Vatican, Uffizi, Accademia, Duomo climb) a week or more in advance, especially April–October and holidays.

Rome

Rome is a living museum layered over 2,700 years: emperors and popes, baroque fountains and modern aperitivo bars. Its neighborhoods are distinct—Monti’s indie boutiques, Trastevere’s ivy-clad alleys, Testaccio’s markets—and each adds flavor to the Eternal City’s daily rhythm.

• Top highlights: Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Capitoline Museums, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Vatican Museums & St. Peter’s Basilica, Borghese Gallery, Appian Way.
• Where to stay: Centro Storico for first-timers; Monti for a village vibe near the Forum; Trastevere for evenings and trattorie; Testaccio for food markets and fewer tourists.
• Eat & drink: Pizza al taglio at Pizzarium Bonci; trattoria classics at Armando al Pantheon and Da Enzo al 29; espresso at Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè; cocktails at Drink Kong or Jerry Thomas Speakeasy (reserve).

Accommodations: Browse stays on VRBO Rome or compare hotels on Hotels.com Rome.

Getting to Rome: For flights into Rome (FCO/CIA) search Omio flights. If you’re already in Europe, check Omio trains for high-speed routes. From FCO, the Leonardo Express to Termini takes ~32 minutes (~€14); taxis have a fixed city-center fare (~€50–55) and ride 40–60 minutes depending on traffic.

Day 1: Arrival in Rome + Centro Storico at Twilight

Morning: Travel to Rome. If you arrive early, drop bags and recharge with an espresso at Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè—try the gran caffè, their signature sweet crema-topped shot.

Afternoon: Warm-up stroll through the heart of Rome: Piazza Navona’s Bernini fountains, the perfectly preserved Pantheon (now ticketed; line often moves quickly), then toss a coin over your shoulder into the Trevi Fountain for good luck. Grab a gelato at Giolitti—pistachio is particularly nutty here.

Evening: Sunset at the Pincio Terrace above Piazza del Popolo frames domes in gold light. Dinner near the Pantheon: Armando al Pantheon (book ahead) for cacio e pepe or amatriciana; nearby, Enoteca Corsi turns into a convivial trattoria at night with seasonal Roman dishes. Nightcap at Salotto 42 facing the Temple of Hadrian.

Day 2: Colosseum, Forum, and Monti

Morning: Colosseum + Roman Forum + Palatine Hill. Book a timed entry; the “Full Experience” ticket (~€24) adds arena/underground access on select slots. Afterward, cappuccino and maritozzo (cream-filled bun) at Panella on Via Merulana.

Afternoon: Climb the Capitoline Hill for Michelangelo’s piazza and terrace views over the Forum; the Capitoline Museums house the Capitoline Wolf and the equestrian Marcus Aurelius. Wander Monti’s Via del Boschetto and Via Urbana for indie boutiques; pop into La Casetta a Monti for a photo of the ivy-clad cottage.

Evening: Aperitivo at Drink Kong—try the hi-ball riffs and Japanese-leaning bar snacks. Dinner at Trattoria Monti (Le Marche recipes like tortello al rosso d’uovo and roast meats). For late-night speakeasy theatrics, Jerry Thomas Speakeasy requires a reservation and a small membership fee on-site.

Day 3: Vatican Masterpieces + Trastevere

Morning: Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel (book early entry to beat crowds; standard tickets ~€20–25). Continue to St. Peter’s Basilica; climb the dome for a spiral staircase adventure and a sweeping city view. Coffee before your slot at Pergamino Caffè, known for specialty beans and pour-overs.

Afternoon: Walk via Castel Sant’Angelo’s ramparts and along the Tiber. Pizza al taglio near the Vatican at Pizzarium Bonci: potato–mozzarella and mortadella–pistachio slices are standouts. Cross Ponte Sisto into Trastevere to visit Santa Maria in Trastevere, one of Rome’s oldest churches with glittering mosaics.

Evening: Aperitivo on the square at Freni e Frizioni (bitters-forward cocktails, vegan snack buffet). Dinner at Da Enzo al 29 (book; famed carbonara and artichokes) or Taverna Trilussa for shared pastas served in pans. Gelato at Fatamorgana or Gelateria del Teatro on your walk back.

Florence

Florence is the cradle of the Renaissance, a compact city where Brunelleschi’s dome presides over cobblestones, and workshops still hammer gold and leather by hand. Art isn’t confined to museums; it spills into courtyards, churches, and piazzas animated by students and artisans.

• Top highlights: Duomo, Baptistery & Giotto’s Bell Tower, Uffizi Gallery, Accademia (Michelangelo’s David), Ponte Vecchio, Oltrarno crafts, Boboli Gardens, Basilica di Santa Croce.
• Where to stay: Near the Duomo or Santa Maria Novella for convenience; Santa Croce for nightlife and markets; Oltrarno for a local feel steps from Santo Spirito.
• Eat & drink: Trattoria Sostanza (legendary butter chicken), Trattoria Mario (lunch-only Tuscan staples), bistecca alla fiorentina at Buca Lapi, wine at Le Volpi e L’Uva, gelato at La Carraia or Gelateria dei Neri.

Accommodations: Browse apartments on VRBO Florence or compare hotels on Hotels.com Florence.

Rome → Florence: Take a morning high-speed Frecciarossa/Italo train from Roma Termini/Tiburtina to Firenze S. Maria Novella (~1h30–1h40; ~€25–€65 if booked early). Check times and fares on Omio trains. Seats are reserved; aim for a departure around 8–9am to maximize your day.

Day 4: Train to Florence + Duomo and Sunset

Morning: Depart Rome by train (grab a sfogliatella and cappuccino at the station). Arrive in Florence, drop bags, and take a short orientation loop around the Duomo.

Afternoon: Visit the Cathedral interior, the Baptistery’s bronze doors, and climb either Giotto’s Bell Tower (great for dome photos; ~€20 combined pass options) or Brunelleschi’s Dome (reservation required). Coffee at Ditta Artigianale (Via dei Neri) or the floral, design-forward La Ménagère.

Evening: Golden hour up at Piazzale Michelangelo; continue 10 minutes to San Miniato al Monte for Gregorian chants at vespers (check times). Dinner options: Trattoria Sostanza (order the buttery petto di pollo and artichoke omelette) or Trattoria 13 Gobbi for rigatoni in a clay pot. Post-dinner wine at Le Volpi e L’Uva near Ponte Vecchio.

Day 5: Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio, and Oltrarno Artisans

Morning: Uffizi Gallery (timed entry; allow 2–3 hours). Don’t miss Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Primavera, Leonardo’s Annunciation, and the Vasari Corridor views. Espresso at historic Caffè Gilli on Piazza della Repubblica or specialty brews at SimBIOsi Cafè.

Afternoon: Cross the Ponte Vecchio’s goldsmith shops into the Oltrarno. Browse artisan studios along Via Maggio and Borgo San Frediano—think marbled paper, leather, and wood inlay. Stop by the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella to sniff centuries-old colognes and herbal remedies.

Evening: Dinner in Santo Spirito: Osteria Santo Spirito (ribollita and truffle gnocchi) or the old-school, budget-friendly Trattoria Sabatino (no-frills Tuscan comfort since the 1950s). Gelato at La Carraia—try the pistachio–salted caramel swirl.

Day 6: Michelangelo’s David + Hillside Escape or Gardens

Morning: Accademia Gallery (timed entry; ~€12–16). Stand with David, then circle the unfinished Prisoners to see chisel marks frozen mid-creation. Coffee at Scudieri by the Duomo or at La Ménagère if you missed it earlier.

Afternoon: Option A: Bus 7 to Fiesole (25–30 minutes) for Etruscan-Roman ruins and a panoramic overlook of Florence; grab schiacciata at a bakery on the main square. Option B: Boboli Gardens behind Palazzo Pitti for cypress alleys, fountains, and hillside views. Lunch before or after at Trattoria Mario (lunch-only; try peposo, a peppery beef stew) or the panini pros at I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti.

Evening: Splurge night: Bistecca alla fiorentina (shareable T-bone) at Buca Lapi, Florence’s oldest restaurant, or modern Tuscan at Cibrèo Trattoria. For a moody nightcap, Rasputin is a hidden Oltrarno speakeasy with candlelight and classic cocktails.

Day 7: Markets, Santa Croce, and Departure

Morning: Browse Sant’Ambrogio Market where locals shop for produce, cheeses, and cured meats; pair a pastry with espresso at Ditta Artigianale (Via dei Neri) or Caffè Scudieri. Walk to Basilica di Santa Croce to see tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli, and pick up last-minute leather goods on Via dei Neri and Via dei Benci.

Afternoon: Depart Florence. For flights, use Omio flights (Florence FLR or Pisa PSA). The T2 tram runs from the city center to FLR in ~20 minutes; for trains to other Italian cities, check Omio trains and aim to be at the station 20–30 minutes early.

Evening: If you have a late flight, squeeze in a final gelato at Gelateria dei Neri and a stroll along the Arno before you go.

Extra Tips & Costs (est.):

• Colosseum–Forum–Palatine combo: ~€18–24 depending on access; Vatican Museums: ~€20–25; Uffizi: ~€12–25 (seasonal pricing); Accademia: ~€12–16; Duomo climb/bell tower: passes from ~€20.
• Rome ↔ Florence high-speed train: ~€25–€65; book 2–4 weeks early for best fares on Omio trains.
• Typical meals: espresso ~€1.30–2 at the bar; trattoria mains €12–22; bistecca for two €55–90+; cocktails €9–14.

In one easy week, you’ve walked Rome’s ancient stones, climbed Florence’s bell towers, and tasted the spectrum from street pizza to Tuscan steak. With trains whisking you between cities and timed entries reducing waits, this Italy itinerary delivers icons and authentic neighborhoods in equal measure.