Ancient stones, Renaissance genius, and plates of food so good you’ll remember them for years—this 7-day Italy itinerary balances Rome’s timeless drama with Florence’s artistic soul, plus a countryside day among Chianti’s vineyards and family-run farms. You’ll trace the arc of Western art from the Colosseum to Michelangelo’s David and taste everything from Roman carbonara to Tuscan bistecca.

Rome began as a small settlement by the Tiber River and grew into the capital of an empire that reshaped Europe. Today, the Eternal City is a living palimpsest—Forum ruins beside Baroque fountains, aperitivo bars near medieval alleys. Florence, cradle of the Renaissance, condenses four centuries of brilliance into a walkable city: Brunelleschi’s soaring dome, Botticelli’s Venus, and artisan workshops that still handcraft leather and paper.

Practical notes: book the Colosseum, Vatican Museums, Uffizi, and Accademia in advance, especially in spring and fall. Trains between cities are fast and frequent; you’ll rely on your feet once in town. Pack respectful attire for churches, confirm restaurant hours (many are closed Sundays or Mondays), and reserve popular trattorie several days ahead.

Rome

Rome is cinematic by design: the Colosseum’s arches, the Pantheon’s oculus, and piazzas that spill into each other like scenes. Between UNESCO sites, you’ll find espresso bars, bakeries perfuming the morning air, and trattorie that guard family recipes.

• Top sights: Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Vatican Museums & St. Peter’s, Trastevere lanes.
• Food highlights: Cacio e pepe, carbonara, amatriciana, supplì, Roman-style pizza by the slice, and gelato that ruins you for all others.
• Where to stay: Centro Storico for postcard sights, Monti for boutiques and wine bars, Trastevere for nighttime buzz. Search stays on Hotels.com or browse apartments via VRBO.
• Getting there: Fly into FCO (Leonardo da Vinci) or CIA (Ciampino). Compare flights with Omio (typical nonstop times: London–Rome 2h30; NYC–Rome 8.5–9h; fares vary by season).

Day 1: Arrival in Rome, Piazza Walks, and Classic Trattorie

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off jet lag with a slow loop through the Centro Storico: the Pantheon (free entry; respect quiet), Piazza Navona’s Bernini fountains, and tiny lanes perfumed by espresso. Coffee pit stop at Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè for their signature crema-topped espresso.

Evening: Dinner near the Pantheon. Reserve Armando al Pantheon for impeccable amatriciana and seasonal artichokes; or go to Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina for carbonara and an excellent wine list among dangling salumi. Gelato at Giolitti (order first, then choose flavors). Nightcap at Drink Kong in Monti—award-winning cocktails in a neon, Blade Runner-ish space.

Day 2: Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Trastevere Night

Morning: Espresso and a cornetto at Panella – L’Arte del Pane (Monti). Prebook a timed Colosseum entrance; allow 2.5–3 hours for the Colosseum, Forum, and Palatine. A combined ticket generally runs ~€18–€24 depending on access; guided tours add €20–€40 but enrich the ruins with context.

Afternoon: Lunch in Monti at Taverna Romana (handmade pasta; the cacio e pepe is textbook) or La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali. Stroll to the Capitoline Hill for the Michelangelo-designed piazza and a terrace view over the Forum. Coffee at La Casa del Caffè Tazza d’Oro by the Pantheon.

Evening: Cross the Tiber to Trastevere. Aperitivo at Freni e Frizioni (Negronis and a generous snack spread). Dinner at Da Enzo al 29—book ahead for silky carbonara and Roman-Jewish fried artichokes; or try Osteria der Belli for Sardinian seafood. Post-dinner stroll to Santa Maria in Trastevere square for street music.

Day 3: Vatican, St. Peter’s Dome, and Testaccio Flavors

Morning: Coffee near the Vatican at Sciascia Caffè 1919 (Prati). Early-entry Vatican Museums (aim for the first slot). Budget 3 hours; online ticket with fee is typically ~€25. Don’t miss the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel; shoulders and knees covered.

Afternoon: Stroll to St. Peter’s Basilica (free); climb the dome for sweeping views (€8 stairs/€10 elevator + stairs). Quick lunch options: Pizzarium Bonci (iconic pizza al taglio with creative toppings) or La Zanzara (modern Roman bistro).

Evening: Head to Testaccio, Rome’s food-centric neighborhood. Dinner at Felice a Testaccio—their tonnarelli cacio e pepe is tossed at the table; or taste Roman offal classics at Flavio al Velavevodetto under a Monte Testaccio tufa wall. Gelato at Otaleg or La Romana. Optional late walk along the Tiber’s lit embankments.

Florence

Florence is compact and luminous, with art layered into daily life: a Brunelleschi dome dominating the skyline, goldsmiths on Ponte Vecchio, and artisans hammering leather a street away from Botticelli. It’s also a city that eats extraordinarily well—simple ingredients, exacting technique.

• Top sights: Duomo, Baptistery, Brunelleschi’s Dome, Uffizi Gallery, Accademia (David), Ponte Vecchio, Santa Croce, Oltrarno artisans, Piazzale Michelangelo at sunset.
• Food highlights: Bistecca alla fiorentina, ribollita, pappa al pomodoro, schiacciata sandwiches, Tuscan wines (Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, Vernaccia).
• Where to stay: Duomo/San Lorenzo for central access, Santa Maria Novella for convenience to trains, Oltrarno for a more local vibe. Compare stays on Hotels.com or find apartments on VRBO.
• Getting there from Rome: Frecciarossa/Italo high-speed trains take ~1h30 from Roma Termini to Firenze Santa Maria Novella, usually €25–€60 if booked ahead. Check schedules and prices on Omio Trains.

Day 4: Rome to Florence, Duomo Complex, and Oltrarno Evening

Morning: Depart Rome on an early high-speed train (~1h30). Grab a seat facing forward if prone to motion sickness. On arrival, drop bags at your hotel/apartment near the Duomo or in Oltrarno.

Afternoon: Quick lunch: the famous schiacciata sandwiches at All’Antico Vinaio (expect lines; order “La Favolosa” with Tuscan pecorino cream) or the smaller, excellent I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti. Visit the Cathedral (free entry line), Baptistery (mosaics), and climb Giotto’s Campanile for crowd-light views if Dome slots are sold out. Coffee at Ditta Artigianale (specialty roasts).

Evening: Aperitivo at Le Volpi e l’Uva (small wine bar with curated Italian labels and crostini). Dinner at Trattoria Sostanza (butter chicken and artichoke omelet; old-school, book ahead) or Trattoria 13 Gobbi (rigatoni in a molten tomato-ricotta sauce). Gelato at La Carraia by the bridge.

Day 5: Uffizi, Accademia, and Sunset Over the City

Morning: Timed entry to the Uffizi (2–3 hours). Prioritize Giotto, Botticelli, Leonardo, and Caravaggio; the Vasari Corridor windows frame the Arno. Coffee-and-pastry break at La Ménagère (greenhouse-chic, great maritozzi).

Afternoon: Lunch at Mercato Centrale—downstairs for old-school stalls like Da Nerbone (lampredotto sandwich), upstairs for diverse vendors. Walk to the Accademia to meet Michelangelo’s David (1 hour suffices). Explore Santa Croce and the leather workshops at Scuola del Cuoio.

Evening: Hike or taxi up to Piazzale Michelangelo for a golden-hour city panorama. Dinner at Buca Lapi (historic cellar, bistecca cooked over coals) or Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco (wild boar pappardelle, candlelit). Cocktails at Manifattura (Italian spirits only) or the theatrical Locale Firenze.

Day 6: Tuscan Countryside—Chianti Wines and a Farm Lunch (Full Day)

Spend a day among vineyards, cypresses, and hill towns. Join a small-group tour (typically €90–€140 per adult, 8–10 hours) or rent a car for flexibility. Classic stops include Greve and Panzano in Chianti, or San Gimignano with its medieval towers.

Consider a cellar tour and farmhouse lunch at Castello di Verrazzano (near Greve): tour aging cellars, taste Chianti Classico and balsamic, then sit down to platters of pecorino, bruschetta, and roasted meats overlooking vines. Alternatively, near San Gimignano, Fattoria Poggio Alloro pairs Vernaccia with pasta, saffron dishes, and farm-raised Chianina beef—plus postcard views of the skyline.

Driving times are ~45–90 minutes from Florence. If you prefer public transport, buses reach Greve and San Gimignano with transfers; check options on Omio Buses, but tours are simpler for multiple wineries. Buy a bottle (or ship) and learn to spot the black rooster seal for genuine Chianti Classico.

Day 7: Artisan Florence, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Breakfast at S.forno (Santo Spirito bakery; schiacciata and custard buns). Browse Oltrarno’s artisan studios—leatherworkers, bookbinders, and marbled paper makers—then step into the historic perfume house at Santa Maria Novella for soaps and scents.

Afternoon: An early lunch at Trattoria Mario (lively, lunch-only; soups, steaks) or Osteria All’Antico Ristoro di Cambi across the river. Pick up edible souvenirs: Tuscan olive oil, cantucci, and vin santo. Head to Firenze SMN for your train or to the airport; trains back to Rome are ~1h30 via Omio Trains. For onward flights within or to/from Europe, compare fares on Omio Flights.

Notes on Tickets and Budget: Expect €18–€32 for Colosseum/Forum/Palatine (depending on access), ~€25 for Vatican Museums with booking fee, €20–€30 for Duomo complex passes, €16–€25 for Accademia/Uffizi depending on season. High-speed trains: €25–€60 each way if booked in advance. Dinners at trattorie typically run €20–€40 per person before wine; fine dining can be much more. Book popular restaurants and all major museums 2–4 weeks ahead in peak months.

Where to Book Stays: For hotels in Rome and Florence, search dates and filters on Hotels.com (Rome), Hotels.com (Florence), or compare apartments on VRBO (Rome) and VRBO (Florence).

In one week you’ll stand beneath the Pantheon’s oculus, gaze at the Sistine ceiling, climb Florence’s bell towers, and taste wines where the grapes grow. This Rome-and-Florence itinerary blends headliner sights with local food rituals and a restorative day in the Tuscan countryside—enough to fall in love, yet leave a reason to return.