Italy’s layers of history unfurl in frescoes, forums, and piazzas—yet it’s the everyday pleasures that stay with you: a perfect espresso, a hand-cut bowl of pasta, a sunset over terracotta roofs. This 7-day itinerary focuses on Rome and Florence, two cities that shaped Western art and culture, with day trips and tastings that reveal the countryside rhythms of Tuscany.

Rome, the Eternal City, is a palimpsest where ancient temples and baroque fountains share the same streets. Here you’ll walk in the footsteps of emperors at the Colosseum, gaze up at Michelangelo’s vaults in the Sistine Chapel, and eat like a local in Trastevere and Testaccio. Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance, offers an intimate scale: guild churches, artisan workshops, galleries brimming with Botticelli and Michelangelo, and the golden light of the Arno at dusk.

Practical notes: book major museums and marquee restaurants ahead; churches require modest dress (shoulders/knees covered). Expect city taxes at hotels, plentiful contactless payments, and robust public transit. Train travel between cities is fast, affordable, and scenic—this itinerary builds it in so you can maximize time on the ground.

Rome

Capital of an empire and of modern Italy, Rome is a living museum layered with millennia of architecture: pagan temples, early Christian basilicas, Renaissance palaces, and exuberant baroque piazzas. Beyond the headliners, neighborhoods like Monti, Trastevere, and Testaccio beat with local life—markets, trattorie, wine bars, and bakeries.

Top highlights include the Colosseum and Roman Forum, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, and the Vatican Museums with the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. Pair your sightseeing with essentials of Roman cuisine—cacio e pepe, amatriciana, supplì, and seasonal Jewish-Roman specialties around the Ghetto.

• Where to stay (Hotels.com/VRBO): Browse stays on Hotels.com Rome or VRBO Rome.
• Curated picks: Splurge: Hotel de Russie, Hotel Eden, Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Mid-range: Hotel Santa Maria, Kolbe Hotel Rome. Budget/Hostel-chic: The Beehive.
• How to get there: Fly into FCO or CIA. From within Europe, compare fares on Omio (flights). From outside Europe, check Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. FCO to Termini by Leonardo Express (~32 min); taxis have fixed city rates.

Day 1: Arrival, Centro Storico Stroll, and Roman Classics

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off jet lag with an easy walk: the 2nd-century Pantheon (still the best-preserved Roman temple), Piazza Navona’s Bernini fountains, and the Trevi Fountain—tradition says toss a coin with your right hand over your left shoulder.

Evening: Aperitivo near Campo de’ Fiori at Enoteca Il Goccetto (historic wine bar) or Salotto 42 (design-forward lounge). Dinner at Armando al Pantheon (reservation essential; Roman pastas and seasonal dishes) or Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina (iconic deli-restaurant pairing rare salumi with a deep wine list). Gelato at Gelateria del Teatro—try sage and raspberry.

Day 2: Ancient Rome and Monti + Trastevere Food Night

Morning: Dive into the empire with a guided Colosseum and Forum tour. You’ll contextualize ruins and skip lines—well worth it in peak season.

Book: Rome: Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill Guided Tour.

Afternoon: Explore Monti’s cobbled lanes for indie boutiques and espresso at La Casetta à Monti. Lunch at Taverna Romana (solid Roman staples) or Trattoria al 19 (seasonal cucina romana). For a quick bite, try trapizzino (pizza-pocket) at the namesake shop.

Evening: Eat your way through Trastevere on an award-winning food tour—a delicious primer on Rome’s culinary history, wine, and street life.

Book: Winner 2025 Rome Twilight Trastevere Food Tour by Eating Europe. Nightcap at Freni e Frizioni for classic cocktails along the Tiber.

Day 3: The Vatican, Prati Bites, and Sunset Views

Morning: See the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with timed, skip-the-line access; an expert guide helps decode Raphael’s rooms and Michelangelo’s ceiling, then you’ll step into St. Peter’s Basilica.

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

Afternoon: Climb St. Peter’s dome for a sweeping city panorama. Lunch nearby at Pizzarium Bonci (creative Roman “pizza al taglio” by the slice) or Pastasciutta (casual fresh pasta spot). Espresso at Sciascia Caffè 1919 in Prati, then stroll Via Cola di Rienzo for shopping.

Evening: Aperitivo at Il Sorpasso (charcuterie, crostini, craft cocktails) or La Zanzara. Dinner in Testaccio at Felice a Testaccio (famous for tableside cacio e pepe; book ahead). For a craft cocktail experience, try Drink Kong near Largo Argentina.

Day 4: Day Trip to Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast (from Rome)

Check this big-ticket day trip off your list in one efficient sweep: excavated streets of Pompeii with a guide, then the dramatic drive along the Amalfi Coast to Positano—UNESCO scenes, turquoise water, and cliffside villages. Early start, late return, and absolutely worth it if you want a taste of southern Italy without changing bases.

Book: Pompeii, Amalfi Coast and Positano Day Trip from Rome.

Florence

Florence is a city of workshops and wonders, where Renaissance patrons, architects, and artists remade the world. Within a short walk you’ll find the Duomo’s marble geometry, Brunelleschi’s dome, Botticelli’s Primavera at the Uffizi, and Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia.

Beyond marquee museums, settle into the Florentine rhythm: morning cappuccino at a pasticceria, lunch at the market, golden-hour walks along the Arno, and hearty Tuscan dinners—bistecca alla fiorentina, ribollita, peposo. Artisan streets in Oltrarno still ring with chisels and looms.

• Where to stay (Hotels.com/VRBO): Browse stays on Hotels.com Florence or VRBO Florence.
• Curated picks: Splurge: Four Seasons Hotel Firenze, Grand Hotel Minerva, Hotel Brunelleschi. Mid-range: Hotel Della Signoria, Hotel Santa Croce, Hotel Davanzati.
• Getting there from Rome: Take a Frecciarossa high-speed train (Termini/Tiburtina to Firenze S. M. Novella) ~1.5 hours, typically €20–€60 if booked early via Omio (trains in Europe). Budget buses (3–4 hours) are available via Omio (buses).

Day 5: Rome → Florence by Train, Duomo District, and Oltrarno Evening

Morning: Depart Rome on a morning Frecciarossa; arrive in Florence by late morning. Check in and grab a light lunch at All’Antico Vinaio (famed schiacciata sandwiches—expect a queue) or Da Nerbone inside Mercato di San Lorenzo (for lampredotto or roast pork panini).

Afternoon: Visit the Duomo complex: Santa Maria del Fiore, the Baptistery’s golden “Gates of Paradise,” and the Cathedral Museum (often quieter, with originals). If you’re up for it, reserve Brunelleschi’s Dome climb for late afternoon views.

Evening: Join a guided tasting walk to learn Florence’s wine windows, aperitivo culture, and small bites in atmospheric streets.

Book: Winner 2025 Florence Sunset Food & Wine Tour by Eating Europe. For dinner after, consider Trattoria Sostanza (butter chicken and bistecca) or Buca Lapi (oldest restaurant in Florence; bistecca champions). Gelato at Gelateria dei Neri.

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

Spend a day among medieval skylines and rolling vineyards. This well-paced excursion covers Siena’s striped cathedral, San Gimignano’s towers and Vernaccia wine, Pisa’s Campo dei Miracoli, and a Tuscan winery lunch—an efficient sampler if you only have a day.

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

Day 7: Florence Masters, Markets, and Departure

Morning: Coffee at Ditta Artigianale (specialty roaster) or Caffè Gilli (historic pastry counter). Visit the Accademia to meet Michelangelo’s David—arrive at opening for fewer crowds. Walk to Piazza della Signoria and the Uffizi courtyard; if you didn’t climb yesterday, cross the Ponte Vecchio and up to Piazzale Michelangelo for a last panorama.

Afternoon: Lunch at Mercato Centrale upstairs (try Da Nerbone’s stall or fresh pasta at Pastificio Morioni). Shop for leather around San Lorenzo (inspect stitching and zippers; buy from established vendors). Depart from Firenze S. M. Novella by train via Omio (trains) or fly from FLR/PSA—compare on Omio (flights); long-haul options via Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Optional Florence Experiences (fit as time allows)

Prefer a hands-on morning or a lighter day after museums? Consider these excellent alternatives.

Small-Group Wine Tasting Experience in the Tuscan Countryside — half-day vineyards and cellars with guided tastings.

Florence Pizza or Pasta Class with Gelato Making at a Tuscan Farm — learn, cook, and feast in the countryside.

Daily Food & Coffee Shortlist (Save These)

• Rome coffee: Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè (classic crema), Tazza d’Oro (near Pantheon), Sciascia Caffè 1919 (Prati).
• Rome lunches: Roscioli Caffè (supplì and pastries), Pizzarium Bonci (by-the-slice), Forno Campo de’ Fiori (pizza bianca).
• Rome dinners: Armando al Pantheon, Felice a Testaccio, Da Enzo al 29 (Trastevere), Emma (thin-crust pizza).
• Florence coffee: Ditta Artigianale, Caffè Gilli, Scudieri.
• Florence lunches: Mercato Centrale (stalls upstairs), Trattoria Mario (hearty Tuscan plates), Da Nerbone (lampredotto).
• Florence dinners: Trattoria Sostanza, Buca Lapi, Trattoria Cammillo (Oltrarno), Berberè (slow-fermented pizza).
• Gelato favorites: Gelateria del Teatro (Rome), Fatamorgana (Rome), Gelateria dei Neri (Florence), La Carraia (Florence).

Getting Around & Practical Tips

• Transit: Rome’s metro/bus/tram cover most sights; walkable cores in both cities. Taxis are metered; use official stands. High-speed trains are the best way between cities via Omio.
• Tickets & timing: Reserve Vatican/Uffizi/Dome climbs weeks ahead. Early or late time slots mean thinner crowds and softer light for photos.
• Dress codes: Shoulders and knees covered for major churches (carry a light scarf). Comfortable shoes for cobblestones.
• Safety: Watch for pickpockets in crowded spots (Trevi, buses). Keep valuables zipped and front-facing.

Viator highlights used in this itinerary:

• Colosseum, Forum, Palatine Tour (Rome)
• Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour (Rome)
• Twilight Trastevere Food Tour (Rome)
• Pompeii & Amalfi Coast Day Trip (from Rome)
• Tuscany Day Trip + Winery Lunch (from Florence)
• Florence Sunset Food & Wine Tour
• Pizza or Pasta + Gelato Class (Florence)

In one rewarding week, you’ve traced Rome’s imperial grandeur, savored neighborhood flavors, and stepped into the studios and chapels that ignited the Renaissance in Florence. With trains as your thread and memorable meals as milestones, this Italy itinerary balances must-see icons with time to wander—and to return.