Italy’s story is written in marble, fresco, and the smell of espresso at dawn. From Rome’s ancient forums and lively trattorie to Florence’s Renaissance masterpieces and wine-soaked hills beyond, this 8-day itinerary blends history, art, and big flavors with a dash of adventure.

Expect skip-the-line access to the Vatican and Colosseum, rustic Roman street food, Florentine markets, and a full-day Tuscan tour with winery lunch and tastings. You’ll ride the rails between cities like a local—fast, efficient, and scenic—keeping costs friendly without sacrificing the good stuff.

Practical notes: churches require shoulder/knee coverage; book major museums and dome climbs ahead. Pickpockets target crowded areas—use cross-body bags. Tipping is modest; “coperto” (cover charge) often appears on bills. Bring a reusable bottle; fountains in both cities offer clean drinking water.

Rome

Rome is an open-air museum with a street-food habit. Emperors, popes, and modern Romans left layers of life—from the Colosseum to Trastevere’s lantern-lit lanes—best explored on foot and with an appetite.

Top hits include the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and the Vatican Museums with Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. For a local slice, head to Testaccio (Rome’s culinary belly) or the Appian Way for a bike ride past ancient tombs and aqueducts.

Where to stay: browse apartment stays on VRBO Rome or vetted hotels on Hotels.com Rome. Mid-range favorites: Hotel Santa Maria (Trastevere) for leafy courtyards; Hotel Mascagni near Repubblica; budget-boutique The Beehive for social vibes.

Getting in: fly into FCO or CIA. If you’re coming from within Europe, compare flights on Omio. From outside Europe, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com. In-town, use metro/buses and your feet; taxis are reliable—use official stands or licensed apps.

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

Afternoon: Land in Rome and settle in. Shake off the flight with a gentle loop: Piazza di Spagna, the Trevi Fountain (toss a coin over your left shoulder), the Pantheon’s oculus, and Piazza Navona’s Bernini fountains.

Evening: Aperitivo in Monti at Ai Tre Scalini (craft beers and Lazio wines) or Urbana 47 (seasonal bites). Dinner options: Da Enzo al 29 (Trastevere; book ahead) for carbonara like silk; Pizzeria Emma for blistered pies; or Cesare al Casaletto for Roman comfort classics and a savvy wine list. Gelato at Gelateria del Teatro—try sage and raspberry.

Day 2: Gladiators, Forums, and Monti’s Foodie Corners

Morning: Dive into ancient Rome with a guided small-group including arena access:

Rome: Colosseum with Arena, Roman Forum and Palatine Guided Tour

Entering via the Gladiator’s Gate sets the tone—then walk the Forum and Palatine Hill where Rome’s origin story unfolded.

Afternoon: Refuel with street eats: Trapizzino (stuffed pizza pockets) or Mercato Centrale Termini for quick bites. Explore Monti’s boutiques and Via dei Serpenti’s indie shops.

Evening: Wine at Enoteca Cavour 313 near the Forum; dinner at Trattoria al Moro (classic Roman—amatriciana is the move) or Retrobottega (creative, produce-driven). Nightcap at La Bottega del Caffè in Piazza Madonna dei Monti.

Day 3: The Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and a Trastevere Food Tour

Morning: Dress for churches (shoulders/knees covered). Go early to beat crowds with official partner access:

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

Marvel at the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel ceiling before stepping into St. Peter’s. Coffee afterwards at Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè—Rome’s cult espresso.

Afternoon: Stroll across Ponte Sisto into Trastevere. Explore Santa Maria in Trastevere, ivy-wrapped alleys, and artisan shops.

Evening: Join an award-winning progressive feast through Rome’s tastiest neighborhood:

Winner 2025 Rome Twilight Trastevere Food Tour by Eating Europe

Expect supplì (fried risotto bites), porchetta, Roman-style pizza, and gelato with plenty of wine and neighborhood history.

Day 4: Adventure Day—Appian Way Ride, Catacombs, and Hands-On Cooking

Morning: Rent bikes near the Baths of Caracalla and coast the ancient Appian Way (Via Appia Antica). Ride past tombs and aqueducts; stop at the Catacombs of San Sebastiano or San Callisto. Picnic fixings: Roscioli’s bakery for focaccia, salumi, and pecorino.

Afternoon: Capitoline Museums for curated antiquities and the best Forum terrace view; or the Borghese Gallery (reservations required) for Bernini’s sculptures in a noble villa setting.

Evening: Cook, eat, toast—right near Piazza Navona:

3 in 1 Cooking Class near Navona: Fettuccine, Ravioli & Tiramisu

End with a leisurely passeggiata and gelato on Via dei Coronari.

Florence

Florence is the Renaissance in motion: Brunelleschi’s dome on the skyline, Botticelli in the Uffizi, and perfumed leather shops along cobbled streets. The Arno divides the city; cross to the Oltrarno for artisan studios and indie enotecas.

Top sights include the Duomo complex, Uffizi Gallery, Accademia (Michelangelo’s David), and the Ponte Vecchio. Food-wise, think ribollita, bistecca alla fiorentina, and panini from tiny counters where the line says it all.

Where to stay: compare stays on VRBO Florence and Hotels.com Florence. Mid-range gems: Hotel Santa Croce (steps from the basilica), Hotel Della Signoria (near Ponte Vecchio), or Hotel Davanzati. For a splurge pool-with-a-view, see Grand Hotel Minerva.

Getting there from Rome: take a morning Frecciarossa high-speed train from Roma Termini to Firenze S. M. Novella—about 1h30–1h45, typically €25–€60 booked in advance via Omio trains. Buses can be slower (3.5–4h) but cheaper—compare on Omio buses.

Day 5: Train to Florence, Duomo Views, and Oltrarno Aperitivo

Morning: Depart Rome around 8–9am; arrive Florence before 11am. Drop bags and espresso at Ditta Artigianale (Via dei Neri) or Caffè Gilli (historic belle époque interior).

Afternoon: Explore the Duomo complex. Book a timed climb of Brunelleschi’s Cupola or Giotto’s Bell Tower for terracotta-roof panoramas. Lunch at I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti (panini; try finocchiona with pecorino) or Trattoria Mario (lunch-only, counter seating, Tuscan soul).

Evening: Aperitivo in Piazza Santo Spirito (Negroni HQ). Dinner at Trattoria Cammillo (old-school elegance), Osteria dell’Enoteca (excellent bistecca and Tuscan bottles), or Il Guscio (seasonal, locals’ favorite). Gelato: La Carraia across the bridge.

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

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

Roll through cypress-lined hills, medieval squares, and UNESCO towns. Enjoy a guided winery visit with a Tuscan lunch and tastings—ideal for your wine-loving, adventurous side. It’s a long, rewarding day; a simple dinner back in Florence (pizza from Gustapizza or a board of cheeses and crostini at Le Volpi e L’Uva) is perfect.

Day 7: Uffizi, David, and Market Grazing

Morning: Uffizi Gallery: focus on Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Primavera, then Caravaggio’s chiaroscuro drama. Coffee and a sfoglia at Forno Pugi (schiacciata is a must).

Afternoon: Accademia to meet Michelangelo’s David—book a timed slot. Lunch at Mercato Centrale upstairs food hall: truffle pasta at Il Tartufo, lampredotto (tripe sandwich) at Da Nerbone downstairs, and a glass of Chianti Classico.

Evening: Sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo (walk up via the Rose Garden). Dinner at Trattoria Sostanza (butter chicken—or steak) or All’Antico Ristoro di Cambi (Oltrarno institution). Nightcap at Rasputin (speakeasy) or Locale (dramatic interiors, great cocktails).

Day 8: Artisan Florence and Departure

Morning: Wander the Oltrarno’s botteghe: woodcarvers, bookbinders, and goldsmiths near Via Maggio. Pick up leather goods around Santa Croce (inspect stitching and smell the leather—quality tells). Espresso and a maritozzo at Pasticceria Nencioni.

Afternoon: Final lunch at I’ Brindellone (hearty Florentine fare) or I Due Fratellini (standing-room panini with a tiny wine pour). Depart via Firenze S. M. Novella—connect to your next stop or fly out. For onward trains, compare on Omio; for European flights use Omio flights, and for long-haul check Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Bonus: Optional Rome Add-ons if You Have Extra Energy

• Colosseum Arena Floor, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Guided Tour

  

• Rome by Golf Cart Private Tour: Beyond the Landmarks

  

Budget Tips (Target: 50/100)

• Travel by train between cities and walk/metro in town; book high-speed trains early on Omio for lower fares.
• Do big-ticket sights with skip-the-line once, then enjoy many free or low-cost gems: churches, piazzas, river walks, and markets.
• Eat like a local: stand at the bar for cheaper coffee, opt for “primi” (pasta) at lunch, and leverage markets (Testaccio, Mercato Centrale) for value.

In eight days you’ll trace Rome’s imperial stones, sip Tuscan wines among rolling hills, and stand beneath Florence’s painted heavens. With fast trains, smart bookings, and local tastes, this adventurous Italy itinerary hits culture, cuisine, and charisma—without blowing the budget.