Italy was built for travelers who graze, linger, and wander. This 7-day itinerary focuses on Rome and Florence—two cities where every corner offers a story, a plate, or a view—while adding purposeful cycling on ancient roads and through vine-laced Tuscan hills. Expect espresso-fueled mornings, scenic rides, and dinners that stretch into conversations.

Rome, the Eternal City, layers empires and everyday life. Pedal the Appian Way past tombs and aqueducts, then taste carbonara in Testaccio where Roman recipes were codified. Florence, cradle of the Renaissance, is compact, elegant, and a dream for cyclists: river paths, a short climb to panoramic Fiesole, and easy access to Chianti’s S-curves.

Practical notes: book major sights in advance (the Vatican, the Colosseum, the Duomo). Summer afternoons can be hot; ride early and plan long lunches. Helmets are recommended; Sundays are delightfully calm on Rome’s Appia Antica. High-speed trains stitch the cities together in about 1.5 hours.

Rome

Rome seduces with contrasts: marble and graffiti, street food and Michelin-starred technique, scooters whirring past baroque fountains. It’s also terrific for cycling—especially the cobbled, car-light Appian Way and the green expanse of the Aqueducts Park.

• Top sights and rides: Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill; Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s; Appia Antica to Parco degli Acquedotti; riverside Tiber path.
• What to eat: Roman pizza by the slice, cacio e pepe, artichokes (alla giudia or alla romana), supplì, and gelato with seasonal fruit.
• Where to stay: Base near Centro Storico or Trastevere for walkability. Browse stays on VRBO Rome or compare hotels on Hotels.com Rome.
• Getting to Rome: Fly into FCO or CIA and train/taxi into the center. Search flights to/from Europe on Omio (Flights). For European rail connections to Rome, use Omio (Trains).

Day 1: Arrival in Rome, warm-up tastes and wheels

Afternoon: Land and settle. For a first espresso, duck into Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè near the Pantheon—an old-school bar with a famously caramelized crema. If you crave a light bite, order thin, blistered slices at Pizzeria La Montecarlo in the nearby lanes.

Evening: Shake out your legs on a gentle 60–90 minute spin along the Tiber path at golden hour (flat, traffic-free). Dinner at Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina: start with burrata and anchovies, then their textbook carbonara. Finish with gelato at Gelateria del Teatro—try sage and raspberry or Sicilian pistachio.

Day 2: Ancient Rome by foot and fork

Morning: Step inside the arena where history thundered with the Colosseum Arena Floor, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Guided Tour. You’ll enter via the Gladiator’s Gate, then traverse the Forum and Palatine with context that makes the ruins whisper.

Book here: Colosseum Arena Floor, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Guided Tour.

Afternoon: Lunch in Monti at Trattoria da Valentino or La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali for Roman staples. Browse independent boutiques on Via del Boschetto, then grab gelato at Fatamorgana (inventive, natural flavors).

Evening: Aperitivo at Ai Tre Scalini (Monti’s beloved wine bar; snag a stool). Dinner in Trastevere at Da Enzo al 29—order amatriciana and carciofi if in season; reservations are wise. Nightcap at Ma Che Siete Venuti a Fa for Italian craft beer.

Day 3: Vatican treasures and a Trastevere food tour

Morning: Go early for cooler halls and quieter rooms on the Skip-the-Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's | Small Group. You’ll move efficiently through highlights and step into St. Peter’s with time to linger beneath Michelangelo’s dome.

Book here: Skip-the-Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's | Small Group.

Afternoon: Refuel with pizza al taglio at Pizzarium Bonci near Cipro (potato–mozzarella or zucchini blossom are standouts). Stroll to Castel Sant’Angelo and across Ponte Sisto for street musicians and river views.

Evening: Taste your way through Rome on the award-winning Winner 2025 Rome Twilight Trastevere Food Tour by Eating Europe. Expect porchetta, cheeses, Roman pasta, and sweet bites—plus stories about the neighborhood’s bohemian past.

Book here: Rome Twilight Trastevere Food Tour.

Day 4: Rome by bike—the Appian Way and Aqueducts

Morning: Pick up bikes (road or e-bike; ~€30–50/day) near the Colosseum area. Ride cobbled Via Appia Antica past the Church of Domine Quo Vadis and the Catacombs of San Sebastiano. Surface varies (ancient basalt, gravel), so wider tires feel best.

Afternoon: Continue to Parco degli Acquedotti for photogenic arches and picnic lawns. For lunch, book Hostaria Antica Roma on the Appia for slow-cooked oxtail or amatriciana; or grab sandwiches at Appia Antica Caffè. Fill bottles at Rome’s “nasoni” fountains along the route.

Evening: Return via the Tiber path. Celebrate in Testaccio: start with supplì at Trapizzino, then dinner at Flavio al Velavevodetto (try coda alla vaccinara and seasonal contorni). Gelato at Otaleg’ before calling it a night.

Florence

Florence is a Renaissance jewel boxed by gentle hills and circled by a river you can follow by bike. The city excels at both high culture and simple pleasures: a cappuccino in a porcelain cup, a bistecca shared, a sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo.

• Top sights and rides: Duomo, Baptistery doors, Uffizi; Arno riverside path; climbs to Piazzale Michelangelo and Fiesole; day rides into Chianti.
• What to eat: crostini, ribollita, bistecca alla fiorentina, schiacciata sandwiches, and gelato made fresh daily.
• Where to stay: Historic center or Oltrarno for artisan workshops and calmer nights. Browse VRBO Florence or compare on Hotels.com Florence.
• Getting there from Rome: Morning high-speed train (Frecciarossa/Italo) ~1h30, €25–€55 booked ahead. Search and book on Omio (Trains). Buses are cheaper but slower—see Omio (Buses).

Day 5: Train to Florence, Duomo quarter, river spin

Morning: Depart Rome on a high-speed train (aim 8–10 a.m.; ~1h30). Drop bags and grab a cappuccino and cornetto at Ditta Artigianale (via dei Neri) or the airy La Ménagère. Sandwich lovers can detour to I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti for a stuffed schiacciata.

Afternoon: Explore the Duomo exterior and Giotto’s Bell Tower; prebook Cupola climbs if you want the view. Cross to the Oltrarno for artisans on Via Maggio and a stroll through the Santo Spirito piazza.

Evening: Short, scenic ride: follow the Arno upstream, then climb to Piazzale Michelangelo (moderate, switchbacks) for sunset. Aperitivo at Le Volpi e l’Uva (smart wine list with Tuscan salumi), then dinner at Buca Lapi for bistecca cooked over coals. Gelato at La Carraia on the walk home.

Day 6: Full-day Tuscan countryside—Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa, winery lunch

With just a day to roam wider Tuscany, this curated outing hits celebrated hill towns and pours you a glass where the grapes grow. Transport and timing are handled—perfect between your cycling days.

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

Return to Florence in the evening. If you’re peckish, share small plates at Il Santino (Oltrarno) or twirl tagliatelle al ragù at Trattoria Sabatino—old-school, friendly, and easy on the wallet.

Day 7: Fiesole loop ride, last tastes, departure

Morning: Bike the classic Fiesole loop (20–25 km, ~350–450 m gain). Roll out through the stadium district, climb Viale Righi toward Fiesole’s terrace views, then descend via Maiano and the tree-lined Viale dei Colli. Coffee at the top café in Fiesole or back in town at Ditta Artigianale.

Afternoon: Quick lunch—All’Antico Vinaio for stuffed schiacciata (porchetta or truffle cream), or a bowl of ribollita at Trattoria Mario (lunch-only, lively). Depart after 2 p.m. Trains to Rome or Milan run frequently—check Omio (Trains). For onward flights to/from Europe, search Omio (Flights).

Evening: If you have extra time, toast your week with a Negroni where it was invented. Otherwise, a last gelato—try pistachio and crema di latte at Gelateria dei Neri—makes a sweet farewell.

Optional add-ons and practical cycling notes

• Bike rentals: Expect €30–50/day for quality road or e-bikes in both cities. Ask for a spare tube, mini-pump, and lock; helmets strongly advised.
• Best riding windows: Start by 8–9 a.m. in summer. Sundays are ideal for the Appian Way (fewer cars). Carry cash for small cafés in the countryside.
• Foodie extras in Rome: If you want to cook what you’ve tasted, consider an evening pasta-and-tiramisu class near Piazza Navona on a free night.

Bonus (if adding a free half-day in Rome): Vatican or St. Peter’s revisit

If art is your fuel, you can also opt for deeper Vatican exploration on another day:

Book here: Skip-the-Line Group Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica.

Where to book transport: Flights to/from Europe on Omio (Flights); trains within Italy on Omio (Trains); buses on Omio (Buses).

Accommodation quick links: Rome—VRBO | Hotels.com. Florence—VRBO | Hotels.com.

Summary: In one vivid week, you’ll ride Rome’s Appian Way, swirl wines under Tuscan sun, and taste your way through Trastevere and Florence. The high-speed train stitches the experiences together, while bikes carry you to viewpoints and village tables you’ll dream about long after you’ve unpacked.