Italy is a living museum, a country where Etruscan stones and Renaissance frescoes share the same sunlight. In a single week, you can stand where emperors ruled, admire Michelangelo’s chisel marks, and toast with Chianti among vineyard rows. This 7-day Rome and Florence itinerary blends iconic sights with soulful neighborhood moments and unforgettable meals.

Rome, founded (legend says) by twin brothers suckled by a she-wolf, grew into the caput mundi of the ancient world. Today the Eternal City is a kaleidoscope: the Colosseum’s arches, Bernini’s fountains, basilicas layered over pagan temples, and trattorie that seem to hum with recipes passed through generations. Across the Arno, Florence is the cradle of the Renaissance, where the Medici financed genius and workshops forged a revolution in beauty.

Practical notes: Italy runs on espresso and reservations. Book timed entries for big-hitters (Colosseum, Vatican, Uffizi, Accademia) in advance, and cover shoulders/knees for the Vatican. Trains are fast, frequent, and comfortable; walking shoes are your best friend on cobblestones. Expect superb seasonal cuisine—artichokes in spring, porcini in fall, gelato always.

Rome

Why go: Ancient ruins, Baroque drama, papal splendor, and a food scene that swings from humble cacio e pepe to refined Roman-Jewish classics.

• Top sights: Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, Trastevere.
• Food highlights: Carbonara, amatriciana, artichokes alla giudia, supplì (fried rice balls), and pizza al taglio.
• Fun fact: The Pantheon’s 2,000-year-old concrete dome remains the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome.

Getting to Rome: Fly into FCO (Rome Fiumicino). Search and book flights on Omio (often $600–1,100 round-trip from the U.S. in shoulder season). From FCO, the Leonardo Express train to Termini takes ~32 minutes (~€14); compare trains and schedules on Omio Trains. Taxis have a fixed city-center fare (~€50–55).

Where to stay (Rome): Browse apartments on VRBO Rome or hotels on Hotels.com Rome. Excellent picks: Hotel de Russie, a Rocco Forte Hotel (lush garden hideaway near Piazza del Popolo), Hotel Eden (classic, sweeping city views), Kolbe Hotel Rome (by the Forum), Hotel Santa Maria (Trastevere’s cozy courtyard), and The Beehive (stylish budget-friendly base).

Day 1: Arrival and Rome’s Historic Heart

Afternoon: Land, check in, and shake off jet lag with an espresso at Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè (legendary crema). Stroll the Centro Storico: the Pantheon’s oculus, Bernini’s fountains in Piazza Navona, and Caravaggio canvases in San Luigi dei Francesi (free, donations welcome).

Evening: Aperitivo at Bar del Fico near the piazza, then dinner at Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina—order carbonara and a plate of aged pecorino from their deli case. Toss a coin at the Trevi Fountain; go later for fewer crowds and glimmering marble under night lights.

Day 2: Ancient Rome with a Guided Colosseum Tour

Morning: Cappuccino and cornetto at Caffè Greco on Via dei Condotti, then head to the Colosseum. Beat confusion and lines with a guided experience:

Rome: Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Guided Tour — Skip lines, understand the engineering genius of the amphitheater, and walk through the political heart of the empire.

Afternoon: Lunch a few minutes away at Taverna dei Fori Imperiali (homestyle Roman; book ahead). Climb the Capitoline Hill for a Forum overlook, then wander the elegant arcades of the Galleria Alberto Sordi to cool off.

Evening: Cross Tiber Island into Trastevere for trattoria hopping. Try Da Enzo al 29 for amatriciana and carciofi alla giudia; finish with craft cocktails at Freni e Frizioni overlooking the river.

Day 3: The Vatican and a Tasting Evening in Trastevere

Morning: Espresso at Tazza d’Oro near the Pantheon, then take a timed, expert-led Vatican tour to see the highlights without the guesswork:

Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour — No-wait access through an official partner entrance; go straight to the masterpieces and the Sistine ceiling.

Afternoon: Grab pizza al taglio at Pizzarium Bonci (near Cipro Metro)—potato and rosemary or pumpkin with gorgonzola are standouts. Walk Via della Conciliazione for views back to St. Peter’s dome; pause by Castel Sant’Angelo’s bridge for angel-topped photo ops.

Evening: Eat your way around Rome with a beloved small-group tasting:

Winner 2025 Rome Twilight Trastevere Food Tour by Eating Europe — VIP stops for Roman-Jewish specialties, fresh pasta, and gelato; a delicious crash course in local flavor.

Day 4: Train to Florence + Duomo and Market Bites

Morning: Depart Rome for Florence on a Frecciarossa high-speed train (Roma Termini → Firenze S. M. Novella ~1h30–1h40, typically €25–€60). Compare times and book on Omio Trains. Prefer to save cash? Buses take ~3.5–4 hours from ~€10–€20 via Omio Buses.

Afternoon: Check in, then power-lunch at Mercato Centrale: try Da Nerbone’s peposo (peppery beef stew) or Il Tartufo’s truffle pasta. Visit the Duomo complex—step inside the cathedral, admire the Baptistery’s golden mosaics, and, if you pre-booked, climb Brunelleschi’s Dome for sweeping city views.

Evening: Aperitivo with Arno views at La Terrazza (Hotel Continentale). Dinner at Trattoria Sostanza (butter chicken, artichoke omelet) or Trattoria Mario (Tuscan soups, bistecca). Gelato at La Carraia to finish.

Florence

Why go: Renaissance masterpieces, artisan workshops, and some of Italy’s most satisfying eating—simple, seasonal, and Tuscan to the core.

• Top sights: Uffizi Gallery, Accademia (Michelangelo’s David), Ponte Vecchio, Santa Croce, Boboli Gardens, Oltrarno artisan quarter.
• Food highlights: Ribollita, pappa al pomodoro, schiacciata sandwiches, bistecca alla fiorentina, Chianti Classico.
• Fun fact: “Bank” and “bankrupt” come from the Florentine moneychangers’ benches—banco—broken when traders failed.

Where to stay (Florence): Browse VRBO Florence or Hotels.com Florence. Top choices: The St. Regis Florence (historical opulence on the Arno), Grand Hotel Minerva (pool with Duomo views), Hotel Brunelleschi (medieval tower charm, central), Hotel Davanzati (friendly, value), and Hotel Dali (budget favorite near Santa Croce).

Day 5: Full-Day Tuscany Tour—Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa + Winery Lunch

Tuscany Day Trip from Florence: Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa and Lunch at a Winery — See medieval Siena’s striped cathedral, tower-studded San Gimignano, and the Leaning Tower, with a relaxed winery lunch in the Chianti hills. It’s a scenic, efficient sampler of the region without driving.

Back in Florence in the evening, opt for light Tuscan bites—salumi and crostini—at Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina facing Palazzo Pitti, with a glass of Brunello or Vernaccia.

Day 6: Uffizi, Oltrarno Artisans, and Classic Tuscan Dining

Morning: Coffee at Ditta Artigianale (single-origin espresso), then your Uffizi timed entry. Prioritize Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, Leonardo’s Annunciation, and Michelangelo’s Holy Family—move through in chronological order to feel the Renaissance unfold.

Afternoon: Schiacciata sandwich at All’Antico Vinaio (go early or off-hours). Cross the Ponte Vecchio to the Oltrarno: peek into goldsmiths’ benches, bookbinders, and wood-carvers along Via Maggio; stroll the Boboli Gardens for Medici-era geometry and cypress-framed views.

Evening: Reserve Trattoria Cammillo (delicate tagliolini with white truffles in season) or Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco (pappardelle al cinghiale). Nightcap at Rasputin, a hidden speakeasy with moody, candlelit cocktails.

Day 7: David, Markets, and Departure

Morning: Breakfast pastry at Pasticceria Nencioni or Forno Pugi (schiacciata all’olio warm from the oven). Timed entry at the Accademia to meet Michelangelo’s David up close—circling the statue reveals the tension of unfinished “Prisoners” leading up the hall.

Afternoon: Last-minute food souvenirs at San Lorenzo Market—aged pecorino, Tuscan honey, and olive oil tucked safely in leak-proof bags. Light lunch at La Prosciutteria (taglieri boards). Depart in the afternoon from Florence’s FLR airport (taxis ~15–25 minutes) or take a ~1h40 high-speed train back to Rome for international flights—search flights and trains on Omio and Omio Trains.

Florence Transport Notes

Florence is compact—walking is best. Buses fill gaps if needed; tickets are available at tabacchi shops and kiosks. For day trips without tours, use Omio Trains for Lucca, Pisa, or Bologna; many routes are 1–1.5 hours and under €15–€25 each way.

Optional Upgrades & Tips

• Reserve timed entries for the Colosseum, Vatican, Uffizi, and Accademia as early as possible, especially May–October and holidays.
• Dress codes apply in churches (cover shoulders and knees); bring a light scarf.
• For kid-friendly fun, try a Rome golf cart overview: Rome Highlights City Tour by Golf Cart with Gelato.

  

Intercity Travel Summary

Rome → Florence: Morning high-speed train ~1h30–1h40, €25–€60 on Omio Trains. Budget bus ~3.5–4h, €10–€20 via Omio Buses. Fly only if connecting internationally—trains are faster center-to-center.

Where to Sleep, One-Click: VRBO Rome, Hotels.com Rome, VRBO Florence, Hotels.com Florence.

In seven days you’ll trace Rome’s empire, the Vatican’s treasures, and Florence’s Renaissance bloom—then taste the vineyards that still shape Tuscan life. Bookmark this itinerary, tweak the dining to your taste, and you’ll have a ready-made plan for an inspiring, appetite-forward week in Italy.