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Italy rewards the curious traveler. In Rome, emperors and popes left a skyline of domes and ruins, from the Colosseum to St. Peter’s. In Florence, the Renaissance still hums through marble halls and sunlit piazzas, with Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Brunelleschi as daily companions.

This 7‑day Rome and Florence itinerary balances icons and local life: ancient sites, intimate churches, gallery greats, neighborhood markets, and hidden courtyards. You’ll eat like a local—espresso bars at dawn, handmade pasta at lunch, aperitivo at sunset, gelato after dinner.

Practical notes: Pre-book major sights (Colosseum/Forum/Palatine, Vatican Museums, Uffizi, Accademia, Duomo climb). Beware pickpockets in crowded areas and train stations. Trains between cities are fast and frequent, and walking is often the best way to explore historic centers.

Rome

Rome is a living museum layered with lively neighborhoods. The Centro Storico is a mosaic of fountains and palazzi; Trastevere hums at night; Monti hides designer ateliers beside ivy-clad wine bars. You’ll wander through 2,000 years of history before dinner—then do it again on the way to gelato.

Top sights stretch from the Colosseum and Roman Forum to the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain. Across the Tiber, the Vatican Museums culminate in the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica rewards the dome climb with a citywide panorama.

• Where to stay: Browse handpicked places on VRBO Rome or compare hotels on Hotels.com Rome (look in Monti for boutique stays, Trastevere for nightlife, Prati for calmer streets near the Vatican).
• Getting there: Search flights to Rome with Omio (Flights). From FCO into the city: Leonardo Express (32 min), regional train (45–60 min), or taxi (fixed fare).
• Essential eats: Roman pizza al taglio at Pizzarium Bonci (near the Vatican), carbonara at Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina, cacio e pepe at Felice a Testaccio, supplì at Supplizio, gelato at Gelateria del Teatro.
• Fun fact: The Pantheon’s concrete dome—a 2nd‑century feat—remains the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome.

Florence

Florence distills beauty. The Duomo’s red-tiled crown, the marble David, and the Uffizi’s Botticellis are just the prologue. Cross the Arno to the Oltrarno and you’ll find artisan workshops crafting leather, paper marbling, and gold jewelry.

Florence is also a city of taste: strong espresso, hearty ribollita, bistecca alla fiorentina seared over coals, and some of Italy’s best gelato. Sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo or San Miniato al Monte is an evening ritual worth keeping.

• Where to stay: Explore VRBO Florence or compare hotels on Hotels.com Florence. Consider Santa Maria Novella for easy rail access, San Lorenzo for markets, or the Oltrarno for a neighborhood vibe.
• Getting there from Rome: High-speed trains (Frecciarossa/Italo) take ~1h30–1h40 to Firenze S.M.N., typically €25–€60; check schedules and prices on Omio (Trains). Slower buses run ~3.5 hours from €10–€20 via Omio (Buses).
• Essential eats: Trattoria Sostanza for butter chicken (petti di pollo al burro), Trattoria Mario for lunchtime Florentine staples, All’Antico Vinaio for stuffed schiacciata sandwiches, gelato at La Carraia or Gelateria dei Neri.
• Fun fact: The Duomo’s dome was built without scaffolding from the ground—Brunelleschi invented machines to hoist materials into place.

Day 1: Arrive in Rome, Sunset Passeggiata

Morning: In transit. If you land early, drop bags and grab a quick espresso and cornetto at Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè—Roman espresso with a signature crema.

Afternoon: Check into your hotel/apartment. Stretch your legs through the Centro Storico: Piazza Navona’s Bernini fountains, the Pantheon’s oculus, and the baroque sweep of Trevi Fountain. Snack on pizza bianca at Forno Campo de’ Fiori.

Evening: Join the evening passeggiata to Campo de’ Fiori and across Ponte Sisto into Trastevere. Dinner at Da Enzo al 29 (rustic Roman classics; arrive early or be ready to wait) or Tonnarello (buzzy, hearty portions). Nightcap: craft beer at Ma Che Siete Venuti a Fà or gelato at Fatamorgana.

Day 2: Ancient Rome—Colosseum, Forum, and Monti

Morning: Coffee and maritozzi (cream-filled buns) at Regoli Pasticceria, then the Colosseum. A combined Colosseum–Forum–Palatine ticket (~€18–€24) unlocks the city’s founding layers; consider an early entry slot to beat crowds.

Afternoon: Walk Via dei Fori Imperiali to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill—lovely overlooks from the Orti Farnesiani. Lunch in Monti at La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali (family-run, seasonal pasta) or Trattoria al 19. Browse Monti’s boutiques and Mercato Monti (weekends).

Evening: Aperitivo at Drink Kong (futurist cocktails) or Ai Tre Scalini (wine bar with small plates). Dinner at Urbana 47 (market-driven) or Ristorante Aroma if you want a splurge-with-a-view facing the Colosseum. Late gelato at Gelateria dell’Angeletto.

Day 3: The Vatican, St. Peter’s, and Prati

Morning: Espresso at Pergamino Caffè, then the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel (pre-book; plan 2.5–3 hours). Don’t rush the Raphael Rooms.

Afternoon: St. Peter’s Basilica: visit Pietà and, if you’re game, climb the dome for the best rooftop vista in Rome. Lunch in Prati at Pizzarium Bonci (inventive pizza al taglio) or Pastasciutta for quick fresh pasta.

Evening: Stroll to Castel Sant’Angelo and along the Tiber. Dinner at L’Arcangelo (gnocchi alla romana) or Felice a Testaccio (famous cacio e pepe tossed at the table). Wine at Il Goccetto; gelato at Gelateria del Teatro on Via dei Coronari.

Day 4: Train to Florence, Duomo and Oltrarno

Morning: Depart Rome after breakfast—Frecciarossa/Italo to Florence S.M.N. in ~1h30–1h40 (typ. €25–€60). Check times and book on Omio (Trains). Taxi or a short walk to your lodging.

Afternoon: Light lunch: All’Antico Vinaio (schiacciata sandwiches; try the “La Favolosa”) or S. Forno (rustic bakery). Visit the Duomo complex—Cathedral interior, Baptistery doors, Opera del Duomo Museum. If you’ve reserved, climb Brunelleschi’s Dome or Giotto’s Campanile (~€20; timed).

Evening: Cross to the Oltrarno for aperitivo at Volume (bohemian) or Pitti Gola e Cantina (wine bar). Dinner at Osteria Santo Spirito (creamy truffle gnocchi) or Trattoria Casalinga (traditional Tuscan fare). Gelato at La Carraia by the bridge.

Day 5: Uffizi, David, and Mercato Centrale

Morning: Specialty coffee at Ditta Artigianale (Via dei Neri) and a croissant. Tour the Uffizi Gallery (pre-book 9:00–9:30 entry)—Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, Leonardo, Caravaggio; plan ~2–3 hours.

Afternoon: Lunch at Trattoria Mario (stand-up tables, daily ribollita and bistecca; open lunch only) or Da Nerbone inside Mercato Centrale for lampredotto panini. Then the Accademia to meet Michelangelo’s David (reserve timed entry). Browse San Lorenzo Market for leather goods.

Evening: Golden hour on Ponte Vecchio, then rooftop drinks at SE·STO on Arno or La Terrazza (Hotel Continentale). Dinner at Buca Lapi (historic steakhouse) or Trattoria 13 Gobbi (rigatoni in a clay pot). Late gelato at Gelateria dei Neri.

Day 6: Tuscan Day Trip—Chianti, Siena, and San Gimignano

Morning: Early coffee at La Ménagère. Head into Tuscany: rent a car or use regional buses via Omio (Buses). A classic route is Florence → Siena (~1h20 by bus) for the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and the striped Duomo. Alternatively, join a Chianti loop (Greve, Panzano, Gaiole) for vineyards and hill towns.

Afternoon: Continue to San Gimignano (bus or car; Siena–San Gimignano ~1h). Climb the Torre Grossa for medieval skyline views. Lunch with a Tuscan board (pecorino, finocchiona) and a glass of Chianti Classico; for sweets, try gelato at a world-champion shop on Piazza della Cisterna.

Evening: Return to Florence (~1.5–2 hours depending on route). Casual dinner near your stay: Gusta Pizza for wood-fired pies or Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco for pappardelle al cinghiale. Nightcap: Negroni at Locale Firenze’s atmospheric bar.

Day 7: Boboli Gardens, Artisans, and Departure

Morning: Breakfast at S. Forno or La Cite. Stroll the Boboli Gardens behind Palazzo Pitti—Roman statues, shaded lanes, and city views. Pop into nearby artisan workshops: leather at Scuola del Cuoio, paper marbling studios on Via Romana, and goldsmiths near Ponte Vecchio.

Afternoon: Last bites: schiacciata with prosciutto at Antico Noè or a sit-down lunch at Trattoria Cammillo if timing allows. Depart for the airport or next stop—check flights with Omio (Flights) and Florence rail options with Omio (Trains).

Evening: In transit.

Practical Booking Pointers

• Major tickets: Reserve Colosseum/Forum/Palatine, Vatican Museums, Uffizi, Accademia, and the Duomo climb well in advance—morning slots are quieter.
• Transport between cities: High-speed trains are the sweet spot for time and comfort; browse and book via Omio (Trains). Buses can be cheaper and are also on Omio (Buses).
• Where to stay: Find well-located apartments and hotels here: VRBO Rome, Hotels.com Rome, VRBO Florence, Hotels.com Florence.

In one week, you’ll trace Rome’s ancient avenues and Florence’s Renaissance lanes, tasting your way from espresso bars to trattorie to gelaterie. With fast trains, timed tickets, and a little appetite, this itinerary fits both the icons and the intimate moments that make Italy unforgettable.