Italy rewards the curious. Rome layers millennia of history—Republic, Empire, papal power—beneath a modern city that still savors long dinners and late-night strolls. Florence, cradle of the Renaissance, pairs masterworks by Michelangelo and Botticelli with neighborhoods where artisans still hammer gold and chisel marble.

In one week you’ll trace gladiators’ footsteps in the Colosseum, stand under Michelangelo’s Sistine ceiling, climb Florence’s Duomo, and sweep through sunflower-lined hills for a Tuscan lunch at a winery. Expect sublime espresso, paper-thin pizza al taglio, hearty ribollita, bistecca alla fiorentina, and gelato worth a detour.

Practical notes: churches require shoulders and knees covered; many museums close on Mondays; reserve major sights and popular restaurants in advance. For intercity travel, Italy’s high-speed trains are fast and frequent. Pickpockets work in crowds—keep valuables zipped and in front.

Rome

The Eternal City is equal parts forum and fountain, basilica and backstreet. Ancient stadiums lean into Baroque piazzas; Renaissance palazzi hide frescoed courtyards. Neighborhoods like Monti and Trastevere brim with trattorie, craft cocktails, and that blue-hour glow Italians call “la magia.”

• Top sights: Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica.
• Coffee and bites: Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè (classic crema-topped espresso), Forno Campo de’ Fiori (pizza bianca), Roscioli Caffè (cornetti and cappuccino).
• Where to eat: Armando al Pantheon (Roman classics), Da Enzo al 29 (cacio e pepe), Cesare al Casaletto (fried starters and seasonal pastas), Pizzarium Bonci (inventive pizza al taglio), Trapizzino (Roman “pocket” sandwiches).
• Evenings: gelato at Giolitti or Fatamorgana; drinks at Drink Kong (award-winning cocktails) or Freni e Frizioni (aperitivo buffet).

Getting to Rome: Fly into Fiumicino (FCO) or Ciampino (CIA). For flights within or to/from Europe, compare options on Omio Flights. For long-haul routes outside Europe, search Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From FCO, the Leonardo Express to Termini takes ~32 minutes (~€14); taxis have a fixed city rate.

Where to stay in Rome (use these curated options or browse):

• Splurge: Hotel Eden, Dorchester Collection or Hotel de Russie (near the Spanish Steps, refined service, city views).
• Mid-range: Kolbe Hotel Rome (by the Forum; garden breakfasts) or Hotel Mascagni (elegant rooms, central).
• Value/hostel-chic: The Beehive (friendly, stylish base).
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com Rome or apartment-style on VRBO Rome.

Day 1: Arrival, Centro Storico Stroll, and Trastevere

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off jet lag with an espresso at Sant’Eustachio, then walk the Pantheon (2nd-century dome), toss a coin in Trevi Fountain, and pause at the Spanish Steps. These sites cluster within a 20-minute walk.

Evening: Cross Ponte Sisto into Trastevere. Start with aperitivo at Bar San Calisto (old-school, inexpensive) or sample natural wines at Enoteca Ferrara. Dinner at Da Enzo al 29 for carbonara and seasonal artichokes; book ahead or go off-peak. Finish with gelato at Fatamorgana and a peaceful loop around Santa Maria in Trastevere.

Day 2: Ancient Rome and the Colosseum Underground

Morning: Cappuccino and cornetto at Roscioli Caffè. Head to the Colosseum for an in-depth small-group tour that includes the restricted underground and arena access—an evocative way to understand the mechanics of spectacles and gladiators.

Colosseum Underground & Ancient Rome Guided Tour (small-group; typically ~3 hours).

Afternoon: Explore the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill (your guide will orient you). For lunch, try Taverna Romana in Monti (fried artichokes and amatriciana) or Al42 by Pasta Chef for fast, handmade pasta. Pop up to the Capitoline Museums if energy permits—Rome’s best classical sculptures and an overlook of the Forum.

Evening: Take a guided food walk to learn Rome through its flavors—supplì, porchetta, artisanal gelato, and more—plus neighborhood backstories.

Winner 2025 Rome Twilight Trastevere Food Tour by Eating Europe (evening; generous tastings; limited group size).

Day 3: The Vatican, St. Peter’s, and an Elegant Roman Night

Morning: Beat the crowds with a skip-the-line guided visit to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. A good guide weaves centuries of art into a cohesive story and helps you spot details you’d miss solo. Dress modestly for St. Peter’s.

Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour (small-group; typically 3 hours).

Afternoon: Climb St. Peter’s Dome for a sweeping view if lines are reasonable (elevator + stairs option), then stroll Via della Conciliazione toward Castel Sant’Angelo. For lunch, grab Rome’s most famous pizza al taglio at Pizzarium Bonci near Cipro Metro or try a trapizzino (stew-filled bread pocket) at the nearby shop.

Evening: Head to the elegant Monti district for aperitivo at Ai Tre Scalini (busy, cozy wine bar). Dinner at Armando al Pantheon (book well in advance) or Cesare al Casaletto (take Tram 8; order the fried gnocchi cacio e pepe). Toast your last Roman night with gelato at Giolitti and a serene walk past the softly lit Pantheon.

Travel to Florence (Day 4 morning): Take a Frecciarossa/Italo high-speed train from Roma Termini to Firenze S. M. Novella: ~1h30–1h40, from ~€19–€60 if booked ahead. Compare and book on Omio Trains. Aim for a 9:00 a.m. departure; arrive by late morning.

Florence

Florence is a living museum—and a vibrant small city. The Duomo’s terracotta dome anchors lanes scented with leather and espresso. The Arno hums beneath the Ponte Vecchio while the Oltrarno workshops keep centuries-old crafts alive.

• Top sights: Duomo and Baptistery, Uffizi Gallery, Accademia (Michelangelo’s David), Santa Croce, Boboli Gardens, Piazzale Michelangelo.
• Coffee and bites: Ditta Artigianale (specialty coffee), S. Forno (Tuscan bakery), Procacci (tiny truffle panini), Mercato Centrale (food hall with local stalls).
• Where to eat: Trattoria Mario (lively, steak and soups), Trattoria Sostanza (butter chicken legend), La Buchetta (Tuscan meats), Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco (wild boar ragù), Panini at All’Antico Vinaio (go early).
• Evenings: sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo; cocktails at Locale Firenze or Rasputin (speakeasy, reservation recommended).

Where to stay in Florence (curated picks or browse):

• Splurge: Four Seasons Hotel Firenze or Hotel Brunelleschi (historic heart, refined service).
• Upper mid-range: Grand Hotel Minerva (rooftop pool, Santa Maria Novella) or Hotel Davanzati (warm hospitality).
• Value: Hotel Santa Croce (quiet street near major sites).
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com Florence or apartments on VRBO Florence.

Day 4: Arrival in Florence, Duomo, and Oltrarno Sunset

Morning: Arrive by late morning and drop bags. Grab a quick schiacciata sandwich upstairs at Mercato Centrale (try Da Nerbone for lampredotto if you’re adventurous).

Afternoon: Visit the Duomo complex: the Baptistery’s golden mosaics, the Cathedral interior, and either Brunelleschi’s Dome or Giotto’s Bell Tower (reserve timed entry). Explore the marble-clad Piazza della Signoria and peek into Orsanmichele’s niches of guild saints.

Evening: Walk across Ponte Vecchio into the Oltrarno. Sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo paints the city in rose and gold. Dinner at Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco (pappardelle al cinghiale, bistecca) or Trattoria 4 Leoni (pear and pecorino ravioli). Nightcap at Locale Firenze—ornate rooms, creative cocktails.

Day 5: Uffizi, Boboli Gardens, and Artisan Alleys

Morning: Coffee at Ditta Artigianale, then the Uffizi Gallery. Prioritize Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Primavera, Leonardo’s Annunciation, and Titian’s Venus of Urbino. Expect 2–3 hours with a break on the terrace café.

Afternoon: Stroll the Vasari Corridor route to the Pitti Palace and unwind in Boboli Gardens—tall hedges, grottoes, and skyline views. Explore Oltrarno workshops: bookbinders, goldsmiths near Ponte Vecchio, and wood marquetry studios off Via Maggio.

Evening: Dinner at Trattoria Sostanza (order the petto di pollo al burro; reserve well ahead) or La Buchetta for Tuscan meats and Chianti by the glass. Gelato at Gelateria dei Neri or La Carraia.

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

Join a classic countryside loop: medieval Siena’s striped cathedral, the turreted skyline of San Gimignano, Pisa’s Campo dei Miracoli, and a leisurely lunch with wine tasting at a Tuscan estate. Rolling vineyards, cypress alleys, and saffron stone towns deliver the postcards—without the logistics headache.

Tuscany Day Trip from Florence: Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa and Lunch at a Winery (full day; coach transport; guided; winery lunch included).

Day 7: Michelangelo’s David, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Espresso and pastries at S. Forno, then a timed-entry visit to the Accademia to meet Michelangelo’s David up close—look for the unfinished “Prisoners” that reveal his carving process. Swing by Santa Croce’s leather stalls or Via Tornabuoni for a final souvenir.

Afternoon: Early lunch at Trattoria Mario (arrive before opening; communal tables) or a final schiacciata at All’Antico Vinaio (go just before 11:00 a.m. to dodge the line). Head to Florence Airport (FLR) via Tram T2 from the SMN area (~20 minutes) or back to Rome by high-speed rail for onward flights. Price and schedules on Omio Trains and flights on Omio Flights; for long-haul outside Europe, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Optional Rome/Florence Add-Ons (time permitting)

• Rome by Golf Cart (family-friendly overview): Rome Highlights City Tour by Golf Cart with Gelato.
• Florence pasta class (hands-on): Florence: Pasta Cooking Class with Unlimited Wine.

Booking notes and tips:

• Reserve major sights (Vatican, Colosseum, Uffizi, Accademia) and top restaurants 2–4 weeks out in high season.
• Validate bus/tram tickets; taxis are metered—ask for an estimated fare before starting.
• Pack a light scarf for churches; carry a refillable bottle—Rome and Florence have free public fountains (potable unless marked).

This 7-day Italy itinerary balances headline sights with unhurried meals and golden-hour walks. You’ll leave with camera roll full of icons—and the know-how to order coffee like a local, choose the right train, and plan your return.