With Gorgeous cities, towering mountains, ancient historical sites, spectacular beaches and mouth watering food, Italy has much to offer everyone. There is so much to see, it’s really hard to choose. Here is one way you can make the most out of your 10 days trip to Italy.
Fun facts
- A small town of Caldari di Ortona has free wine fountain.
- Italians invented pizza in Naples.
- Italy is the world’s largest wine producer.
- Rome is over 2,000 years old – but Italy is one of Europe’s youngest countries.
Travel tips
- Download offline maps to help you navigate around.
- Gelato is available on most streets that is relatively cheap and a delicious treat.
- Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere, but some stores might have minimum spends, carry cash for purchasing small items.
- Trains are easy and cheap ways to travel between cities. Italy’s high speed railways are pretty impressive. Make sure to validate your train tickets before you board.
- Learn some basic Italian to impress locals and get better service.
- You’ll walk a lot in this trip, make sure to pack a pair of comfortable shoes.
- Carry a comfortable daypack that can hold water and snacks you need for the day.
- Purchase a Cinque Terre card that allows you to use the trails, wifi network in the villages and train.
Recommended daily itinerary
Estimated cost: $1200-$2500 per person(Excluding Airfare)
Day 1
Arrive in Rome.
Rome is the capital city of Italy. With many ruins and excavations, the city of Rome is one giant museum, which is why this historic city is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
- Fly into Leonardo da Vinci International Airport.
- Check in to Hotel Marco Polo. Set in a quiet street close to the Termini Station and Metro Station that allows to reach easily the main attractions and points of interest of Rome, this is the perfect starting point for your trip to Rome. Services such as free Wi-Fi, 24-hour-reception, buffet breakfast, private transfers and much more ensures you enjoy your stay.
- Drop your luggage, freshen up, grab a snack and relax for a bit before making your way to the Colosseum, the most iconic site in Rome. It’s a quick train ride from your hotel. Evening views of the colosseum are quite impressive. We recommend that you take the skip the line ticket and make sure to arrive at least an hour before the closing time. Your ticket will also give access to Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and carry some water and snacks with you.
- Head over to Ristoro della Salute for a wonderful Italian dinner with the view of the Colosseum.
Day 2
Rome city tour.
Hit major attractions in the city on a hop-on hop-off bus tour.
- Head over to Bar Fondi for wonderful coffee and delicious breakfast.
- Make your way to the Termini to start your hop-on hop-off tour. This tour will allow you to explore Rome’s famous landmarks and attractions at your own pace. Buses start around 9 am and ends around 7 pm. Skip Vatican Museums as you’ll tour Vatican city and museums next day. Some of the attractions you can visit in this tour are Basilica di San Pietro, Basilica of Santa Maria, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Galleria Borghese and more. The tour includes a pre-recorded commentary that offers insight into the city’s rich past and contemporary culture. Pro Tip: Download the Big Bus Tours app to help you track next bus. For any attractions that you want to explore further, make sure that you purchase tickets in advance.
- On your visit to St. Peters Basillica, make a pit-stop at Bono Bottega Nostrana – San Pietro to top off with excellent Italian sandwiches.
- Continue your hop-on hop-off tour checking off your bucket list of places to visit.
- Head over to Trastevere, this area is full of outdoor restaurants, stalls selling jewelry, and street performers. You can try restaurant of your choice but we recommend Pizzeria Ai Marmi for the best Pizza.
Day 3
Vatican City and Departure to Florence
Visit the smallest state in the world. From St Peter’s Basilica, to the Vatican Gardens, from the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel to the archaeological points, the beauty of the Vatican is unparalleled, and every corner is rich in art and history. Florence, capital of Italy’s Tuscany region, is home to many masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture. You can get from Rome to Florence in about 1.5 hours in a fast train.
- Get healthy breakfast at Rosemary-Terra e Sapori.
- Make your way to Vatican city. Make sure to purchase your 9:00 am tickets online through the official museum website. Your ticket will allow you a timed entry to the Vatican Museums, the Raphael’s Rooms and the Sistine Chapel. If you fancy, there are multiple VIP guided tour options that you can take. We recommend that you book a regular visit and enjoy your visit at your own pace.
- Enjoy tasty lunch made with natural ingredients in an unpretentious atmosphere at Ristorante Arlù.
- Head over to Termini to catch a fast train to Florence. Purchase your tickets in advance.
- Check in to Hotel Pitti Palace al Ponte Vecchio.
- Walk to Uffizi Gallery via Ponte Vecchio which is connected to Uffizi Gallery by the famous Vasari Corridor. Uffizi Gallery is one of Italy’s top museums and one of the most important in the world with its large collection of Renaissance masterpieces. Make sure to purchase your tickets online ahead of time.
- Enjoy classic Tuscan dinner at Antico Fattore.
Day 4
Florence city tour
Explore top attractions of the city on a bike tour.
- Enjoy classic american breakfast/brunch with an exquisite Italian twist at Rooster Cafe.
- Head over to Florent Bike Rental to start your guided bike tour. With this easy ride through the small alleys of the city centre you will reach all the main squares and monuments in Florence and you will even have time for a gelato. Make your reservations in advance.
- Enjoy your lunch at Matto Matto.
- Having biked through the top attractions, spend your afternoon exploring attraction of your choice.
- Enjoy Italian seafood at Antico Bottaio. Make sure reserve your table in advance.
Day 5
Arrive in Cinque Terre
The Cinque Terre (five towns), is a string of five fishing villages perched high on the Italian Riviera in the region Liguria. The villages until recently were linked only by mule tracks and accessible only by rail or water. This Unesco World Heritage Site offers some of the most dramatic coastal scenery on the planet.
- Enjoy great coffee and breakfast options at Ditta Artigianale.
- You can explore any remaining attractions in Florence that you want until noon. Check out from your hotel, grab a packable lunch and make your way to Santa Maria Novella to catch a train to Riomaggiore Cinque Terre. Book your tickets in advance. If you didn’t bring lunch, there are food options in the train that includes pre-made sandwiches, bags of chips, yogurt, and various cookies and candies and beverages available include coffee, soft drinks, water, wine, and beer.
- Check in to Affittacamere Edi. Providing an ideal mix of value, comfort and convenience, this hotel offers an ideal setting with an array of amenities designed for everyday travelers.
- Take a quick break, grab some snacks and water to hike the Ring of Riomaggiore. The loop is a little over two miles and should take you less than two hours with plenty of time for photoshoots and other breaks. The route starts by the main street at the parking of the village. The best way is to walk round a circle clockwise, so that the trail will smoothly rise and it won’t take too much effort for walking and you’ll climb down the steep stairs from Sanctuary of Montenero.
- Make your way to MiVà Riomaggiore for delicious seafood.
- If you have energy left, make your way to Castello di Riomaggiore. Located at the highest point of the village, its terrace offers sweeping views.
Day 6
Visit the other 4 villages of Cinque Terre.
Enjoy breathtaking views while exploring picture perfect villages of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia and Manarola.
- Enjoy early morning breakfast at Panificio Rosi.
- Pack you dayback with water and snacks and make your way on foot to Manarola. The best route to take is the Path of Love but if that trail is closed you can take Beccara trail. Make sure to check the map and download offline map to help you navigate around. Enjoy the view and take pictures along the way. The village of Manarola has excellent street food options and a majestic marina. Take some time exploring the village and the marina. If you like cliff jumping, you’d love it here.
- After you’re done exploring Manarola, start making your way on foot to Corniglia. The best path to take is the Blue Trail but if the trail is closed, you will have to take the long route. The hike will take you anywhere between 2 to 3 hours, if you don’t feel like doing the hike or if it’s a hot day, you could also catch a train or bus to Corniglia.
- Enjoy delicious lunch with nice views at Er Posu Cafe.
- Explore Corniglia and enjoy the views of vineyards and cliffs. Then make your way to Vernazza. You can take bus or train or hike. There are 2 trails that connects the two village, blue trail (about 2 miles) and the long route(about 4 miles). Explore Vernazza, the village is colorful and vibrant. You can head over to the popular harbor, relax by the beach or hang out in the village and explore its tiny church. You’ll get a better opportunity to relax by the beach at Monterosso.
- Once you’re done soaking up with Vernazza, make your way to the last but not the least village Monterosso. You again have the option to hike, blue trail or the long route. We recommend that you take the blue trail if it’s open. You could also take the bus or train or a boat ride.
- Monterosso al Mare is the largest village in Cinque Terre and the only village with a sandy beach. Kick back and relax in the beach. You can rent colorful umbrellas and enjoy the water. Then take your time exploring the town, Monterosso is divided into an old and a newer section. Take your time meandering around the small winding streets of the old historical section also known as Borgo Antico.
- Enjoy excellent seafood dinner with gorgeous views at Trattoria Dal Billy. Make sure to reserve your table in advance.
- Make your way back to Manarola via train or bus. Manarola’s promenade is the perfect place to watch the sunset in Cinque Terre. A great ending to a delightful day.
Day 7
Arrive in Venice.
Wrap up your Cinque Terre visit and make your way to Venice, a city of marble palaces built on a lagoon. You’ll make a quick a pit stop at Pisa for a quick visit to the leaning tower.
- Enjoy hearty brunch at Britta.
- Take a train to Pisa Centrale. Store your luggage in Pisa Centrale station.
- Make your way to the leaning tower of Pisa, one of the most remarkable architectural structures from medieval Europe. You can take pictures at the Piazza dei Miracoli or you can climb up the tower and enjoy the views while admiring the architecture of the tower. Don’t forget to book your tickets in advance if you want to climb up the tower.
- Enjoy your lunch at L’Ostellino de’ I Porci Comodi.
- Pickup your luggage and catch a train to Venezia San Lucia Venice.
- Check into Hotel Locanda Canal. This hotel offers elegant furnished rooms in complete Venetian style with prestigious fabrics and is located in the heart of Venice in a quiet spot a short distance from the St Mark’ Square and Rialto Bridge.
- Take a leisurely stroll through St Marks square and Rialto Bridge to build up your appetite.
- Head over to Pizzeria Megaone for delicious Pizza dinner.
Day 8
Venice city tour and Gondola Ride.
Explore the famous sites and hidden charms of Venice and ride through the city’s canals on an iconic gondola.
- Enjoy your breakfast at Farini.
- Make your way to Campanile, one of the Venice’s most recognizable symbols and ride to the top to get a glorious view of the city and the lagoon beyond.
- Make your way to Correr Museum. Situated in the ex-Royal Palace in Piazza San Marco, this museum includes the Napoleonic Wing and the Procuratie Nuove.
- Head over to I’ Bacaro De’ Bischeri for an incredible sandwich lunch.
- Make your way to Riva degli Schiavoni to start a walking Tour and Gandola ride. Make sure to book a 3 pm tour and get to the starting point by 2:45 pm.
- Head over to Bacaro 22 vintido’ for a great musical evening and delicious food.
Day 9
Murano, Burano and Torcello island.
Visit the famous glass-blowing island of Murano, cheerful and colorful island of Burano and historical island of Torcello.
- Enjoy your breakfast at Farini.
- Make your way to San Zaccaria near Piazza San Marco to catch a watertaxi(Vaporetto) to Murano. Make sure to purchase a 24 hour vaporetto tickets online before your trip.
- Explore Murano at your own pace. Top attractions include the Palazzo da Mula, the Church of San Pietro Martire and the Museum of Glass. You can watch artists at work on some glass art shops.
- Catch Vaporetto to make your way to Burano. Meander down the canals, admiring the colorful town. The island is popular for lacemaking, you can buy some interesting souvenirs here.
- Enjoy delicious seafood lunch at Trattoria al Gatto Nero.
- Hop on to Vaporetto to make your way to Torcello. Explore the island at your own pace, top attractions are Mosaics in the Cathedral of Santa Maria Dell’Assunta, Church of Santa Fosca, Casa Museo Andrich and the Devil’s Bridge.
- Catch vaporetto and make your way back to San Marco. Enjoy dinner at Rossopomodoro Venezia San Marco.
Day 10
Pack up and head back
- Enjoy your breakfast at Farini.
- Enjoy amenities at your hotel or visit nearby attractions until your flight time. Pack your bag and get ready to leave checking off Italy from your bucket list.
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