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If you’re looking for an itinerary as a first-time visitor to Italy, this post outlines a fast-paced way to see three of Italy’s main cities in all their glory – Venice, Florence & Rome!
Italy is a destination that is at the top of nearly everyone’s travel list! Is it a good destination for Europe first-timers? Absolutely! Your first visit to Italy is likely to not only make you fall in love with all Italia has to offer, but with travel in general. As a matter of fact, I like to call visiting Italy a life-changing experience!
There are 20 regions in Italy, so choosing where to go on your first trip can seem like a daunting task. Some travelers like to go a little off the beaten path, while some just want to see the main sights in what we affectionately call “The Big Three” – Venice, Florence and Rome, which is what this itinerary focuses on.
Some may tell you not to attempt all the big cities in one go – and that is sound advice. These three cities are rather spread out, and there is so much to do and see in each of these cities and their surrounds. However, if you have your heart set on seeing these three amazing cities, do not let anyone stop you! It’s definitely doable, provided you allow yourself enough time in each location.
This leads me to a tale of planning my very first trip to Italy for someone other than myself. Two of my closest girlfriends decided to take me on as a “travel consultant” to plan their trip! Since they loved their trip so much (and no, I’m not just tooting my own horn – they legit loved every moment), I decided to put together an Italy itinerary post with all the travel tips I gave to them that made their trip successful so that others could benefit.
You can easily book the individual components of this trip yourselves through the links I’ve provided below!
Who This Itinerary is For:
- Active travelers (like to be busy every day with some downtime/free time)
- Independent travelers – mostly (you don’t like traveling with a group the entire time, but will do some group tours and activities)
- Travelers with no car (this itinerary focuses on public transportation)
- Those who are experiencing Italy for the first time (or those who want to revisit all the must-see sights!)
- People who don’t mind reading lengthy itinerary blog posts…like this one…good luck!
Italy – here we come!
*Many photos in this post are contributions from my friends Heather and Nicole, who I hereinafter affectionately dub “the girls.”
Day 1: Arrive in Venice
I started this trip off in Venice since it gave us better flight options at the time (October travel, booked in July) versus flying to Rome first. Depending on the flight schedules at the time you book your dream trip to Italy, you could reverse this itinerary and start in Rome and end in Venice. It’s up to you!
The first day of this itinerary includes arrival in Venice at Marco Polo Airport, likely in the early to late afternoon. If you’re coming from the U.S., I recommend booking flights that layover in Europe versus a layover the U.S. (better chances with delays and weather). For instance, I helped the girls book a flight on Air France out of San Francisco with a layover in Paris.
Another pro tip is to make sure you leave enough time for a layover to get through passport control and to your next gate. Give yourself a minimum of two hours – preferably three.
Note: If you have a layover in a Shengen country, you’ll have your passport stamped there and will not get your passport stamped upon arrival in Italy. I was soooo bummed when I couldn’t get an Italian passport stamp on our first trip to Italy!
Getting to Venice from the Airport
From the airport, there are several options to get to your hotel in Venice:
- Option 1: Take the Alilaguna vaporetto (aka Italian waterbus) straight from the airport to the closest dock to your hotel (recommended)
- Option 2: Take the bus or land taxi to Piazzale Roma. From here, walk rest of the way to hotel, as that’s as far as you can get on wheels. Bus tickets can be purchased at the airport or once on the bus (more info here)
- Option 3: Book a private water taxi (often very expensive and not worth your money) or a shared transfer. Here are some options you can book through Viator: Venice Airport Transfers. Or, you can haggle with a water taxi operator at the dock at the airport if you’re feeling feisty.
For the girls, I reserved a voucher for them on the Alilaguna as it was the most cost-effective option for their travels. I suggest taking the orange line (Arancio) as it takes you through the Grand Canal, giving you your very first glimpse of this amazingly beautiful city! Of course, this will depend upon your hotel of choice and its location to the vaporetto stops.
If you’re taking the Alilaguna and staying at my hotel recommendation noted below (Hotel Tiziano), the best stop is to get off at Ca’ Rezzonico. From there, you’ll walk to the hotel (about 11 minutes on foot).
You can book your Alilaguna voucher ahead of time here or book a ticket at the Public Transportation ticket office at the airport. After arrival at the airport and collecting your luggage, go to the ticketing office and exchange your voucher for your ticket (if pre-booked) before making your way to the docks.
Some final words of wisdom: Obviously, the Alilaguna vaporetto is a boat so if you get motion sickness easily, be sure to pack some Dramamine! And, if you’re nervous about where to go at the airport for your Alilaguna ride (or just like to be extra prepared like me), check out this YouTube video that gives you some visual pointers.
Stay 3 Nights at Hotel Tiziano
Address: Calle Rielo Dorsoduro, 1873, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy
https://www.hoteltizianovenezia.it
I chose Hotel Tiziano in the Dorsoduro neighborhood for the girls for a couple of reasons:
- It fit well into the budget
- I was happy with the quality of the hotel in terms of reviews, and appearances in photos by actual travelers
- It’s a little off the beaten path, which means peace and quiet at night
Through my booking, I was able to have daily breakfast included in their room rate. Hotels.com also has deals that include free breakfast, and it definitely comes highly recommended by the girls. They remarked that this was the best hotel breakfast of all the accommodations they had on their trip. I definitely chose wisely!
Enjoy Leisure Time
Once you check into your hotel, the remainder of the afternoon/evening is at your leisure. I suggest finding a nearby spot for cicchetti (Venetian small bites served during aperitivo (happy hour)), maybe a little dinner, and some wandering of the nearby canals. You’ll probably be exhausted from a long day of travel and won’t want to venture off too far!
Some highly-rated suggestions near Hotel Tiziano:
- Osteria Ca’ Del Vento, Fondamenta de S. Basegio, 1518/A, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy | http://www.osteriacadelvento.it/
- Osteria Bakan, Corte Maggiore Dorsoduro 2314/A, 30123 Venice, Italy
Day 2: The Best of Venice
Day two is where you really get into the beating heart of Venice! I booked the girls on a group tour that included a gondola ride, along with a guided tour through Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica. The rest of the afternoon was free time to explore the beautiful city at their leisure.
Gondola Ride w/ Guided Tour of St. Mark’s Basilica/Doge’s Palace
The tour started off with a morning gondola ride, which was actually supposed to be a shared ride with up to six people (this was a budget-friendly tour). However, they ended up with the gondola all to themselves! Gondola rides can be pricey (and yes, incredibly touristy), but it’s just something you’ve got to do once in your life. When it’s included in a tour like this, you definitely save a bit of money.
This is the perfect way to explore the charm of the Venetian canals and admire the facades of this unique city up close!
Next, they were off to explore St. Mark’s Basilica with its dazzling gold mosaics and masterful artwork by Venetian goldsmiths. This is definitely a symbol of Venice, and not to be missed – religious or not.
Note: shoulders and knees must be covered when entering churches.
Their final stop on the tour was the lavish Doge’s Palace (now a museum), which is an impressive combination of Byzantine, Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Doge’s Palace houses hundreds of different masterpieces from the likes of artists such as Tintoretto, Titian, Veronese and Bellini. There is plenty to marvel at!
Book a similar tour via Viator!
Get lost in Venice for the rest of the afternoon!
The rest of your day will be free time to wander Venice, getting lost in the tiny streets and alleys of Venice, crossing famous bridges like the Rialto, stopping for a gelato (or two), and sipping on Aperol Spritzes while you people watch.
Some well-rated food suggestions to be on the look out for:
- Take-away pasta from Dal Moro’s Pasta To Go (Calle Casseleria, 5324, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy) – 3 min walk from St. Mark’s Square | https://www.dalmoros.it/
- Cichetti/apperitvo at Bacareto de lele (Fondamenta dei Tolentini, 183, 30100 Venezia VE, Italy)
- Bepe Bigoi Venezia (Campiello dei Meloni, 1472, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy)
Day 3: Day Trip to Venetian Islands
Day three is all about venturing out to explore the Venetian islands with a half-day guided tour to Murano, Burano & Torcello. Murano is famous for glass blowing; Burano for its brightly colored fishing village vibe; and Torcello for its serene atmosphere and history.
You can book this tour for yourself here or you can hop on the vaporetto and cruise around to the islands on your own (tickets can be purchased at each stop around Venice).
Tour Info: Departs at 9:30 a.m.; Duration is 4.5 hours, approximately
Stop 1: Murano
The first stop on the islands tour is Murano, famous for its beautiful glassware shops and factories. You’ll have time to watch a glass blowing demonstration and shop for souvenirs here.
Stop 2: Burano
The second stop on the tour will take you to the picturesque fishing village of Burano with its brightly colored buildings and quaint atmosphere. Burano is also famous for its lace, and you’ll have time to browse a few shops or find lace on display at a museum dedicated to the craft.
Stop 3: Torcello
Finally, stop in Torcello for a little piece of serenity and a little lesson on the island’s history.
The remainder of the afternoon will be at your leisure to explore any sights (or eat at any restaurants) in Venice you may have missed. Need some suggestions?
- Peggy Guggenheim Collection (museum)
- Gallerie dell’Accademia (museum)
- Cicchetti/aperitivo at Cantine del Vino gia Schiavi (Fondamenta Nani, 992, 30123 Dorsoduro, Venezia VE, Italy) | http://www.cantinaschiavi.com/
The girls ate at Trattoria Anzolo Raffaele (Campo dell’Angelo Raffaele, Dorsoduro, 1722, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy) on their final night in Venice and had nothing but good things to say about the gnocchi!
Travel Responsibly: Venice suffers from overcrowding, particularly during peak travel months (summer). You can minimize your impact on this city by traveling in the off season, being mindful of bridges (don’t roll heavy suitcases over them or loiter around for too long), and please, please throw your rubbish away where it belongs – in a can, not on the streets!
I also don’t advocate for cruise travel to Venice – stay a while; patronize the hotels (not vacation rentals for short-term stays) and local shops. Don’t be a day tripper.
Day 4: Train from Venice to Florence
Florence – the birthplace of the Renaissance! If you love Renaissance art and eating good food, Florence is definitely a top spot to visit! As the hub of Tuscany, Florence is between Venice and Rome, making it an easy stop from either jumping off point.
Make your way to the S. Lucia train station in Venice (located at Piazzale Roma) – about a 15-17 minute walk from Hotel Tiziano depending on your pace. Alternatively, you can try to take the water taxi from the S. Basilio dock (7 min walk from hotel).
Business Class on the Frecciarossa!
Treat yo’self and travel in Business Class on the high speed Frecciarossa train to Florence. I love trains in Italy – the Italian train system is very efficient, and very clean! Because it was the girls’ first time to Italy, I really wanted them to feel comfortable, so I booked them in Business Class on one of Italy’s high-speed trains – the Frecciarossa.
Traveling on the Frecciarossa meant that travel time was minimal between Venice and Florence (approximately two hours). You’re supposed to get a welcome drink (like a glass of prosecco, though the prosecco wasn’t offered to the girls so be sure to ask for it).
If you’re looking for more info on what it’s like to ride the Frecciarossa from Venice to Florence, check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_aU-buTBTw
Booking Train Tickets
Booking Link: https://www.italiarail.com/frecciarossa
You’ll want to be sure to book your Frecciarossa train from the Venice S. Lucia station to the Firenze S. M. Novella station. I highly recommend booking Premium or Business Class as the cost isn’t much more and you get to enjoy spacious seating and the opportunity to book a two-seat configuration across from each other to have more of a private space.
If you’re traveling with large luggage, there will also be a compartment in the premium class train cars for you to store your bags in if they don’t fit overhead or under the seats. Be sure to get to the train early in case space for this fills up! Otherwise, if you plan on traveling in Second Class – pack lightly. I speak from experience that you do not want to be stuck on a train with nowhere to put your big suitcases.
Stay 3 Nights at the Pitti Palace al Ponte Vecchio
Address: Borgo S. Jacopo, 3/R, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
Phone: +39 055 239 8711
https://www.florencehotelpittipalacealpontevecchio.com/en/
Pitti Palace al Ponte Vecchio was an easy choice for me in hotel recommendations. It fit within the budget, is very central in Florence (near the Ponte Vecchio Bridge), and is not a bad walk from the train station – maybe about 15 minutes or so, taking you straight through the heart of the city.
A walk from the station is a great time to get acquainted with Florence as you make your way to your hotel! If you have too much luggage to go that far on foot, there’s always taxis at the stand outside of the station.
While you’re settling into Florence, I recommend strolling around the city and locating a good aperitivo spot for the evening. There is a great place close to the hotel (and across the street from the Pitti Palace) called Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina (photos below), where you can do wine tasting flights, have some apps, or even enjoy a good dinner!
Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina
Piazza de’ Pitti, 16, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
http://pittigolaecantina.com/
Other options for your first afternoon in Florence:
- Late lunch at Gustapizza (Via Maggio, 46r, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy) | https://www.facebook.com/GustapizzaFirenze/
- Walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo to see stunning views of Florence, especially at sunset! (It’s worth the steps, trust me)
- Aperitivo at The High Bar (the owner Luigi is awesome!) on the way to Piazzale Michelangelo (Via dei Renai, 29n, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy)
- Gelato for dessert (there are so many amazing gelaterias in Florence)
Day 5: The David & Pizza and Gelato Class
Ready for an epic day exploring Florence?! Book your ticket ahead of time for the Accademia Gallery to get in and see the Statue of David. I unfortunately missed this on my trip to Florence, but the girls said that it was a stunning piece of art to see in person. You can book your tickets here to reserve your entrance time, or book skip the line tickets here.
After moseying around the museum for a bit, you’ll have a few hours to wander around Florence to explore the many different sights. Florence is really like one big outdoor museum to me. Between the beautiful architecture and the plethora of statues situated around Piazza della Signoria, there will be no shortage of beautiful things to admire! Florence is also very compact, making it easy to see many things in a short period of time.
What to See/Do in Florence
- Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore at Piazza del Duomo (seriously my favorite church in Europe – such a beauty with all that pink and green marble!)
- Piazza della Signoria (pretty much an outdoor statue museum)
- Ponte Vecchio (you’ll cross this bridge on the way to the Pitti Palace hotel – a unique bridge with shops that span both sides)
- Uffizi Gallery (this might be difficult if you are short on time, and booking tickets in advance is recommended)
- Eat! You have to eat all the gelato and pizza you can in Florence. It’s the best!
Pizza & Gelato Cooking Class
In the afternoon, travel with a tour up to the hills for a pizza and gelato cooking class at a Tuscan farmhouse! The girls said this was one of the highlights of their entire trip to Italy. Now that’s saying something! Not convinced? Check out the tour link below where you can not only book this exact tour, but also watch a video to get yourself a little more familiar with the experience.
Book the Pizza & Gelato tour here on Viator.
What’s included:
- Travel by mini bus up into the hills of Florence
- Tour of the gardens at the farmhouse
- A fun, hands-on lesson on how to make pizza dough and gelato from very entertaining chefs
- Top your own pizza with fresh vegetables harvested from the garden before cooking it in the wood-fired pizza oven
- Enjoy your pizza creation with a glass of wine and a sample of each gelato the class participants have made
- At the end of the class, you’re presented with a cooking diploma and a copy of the recipes for you to recreate at home
Happy cooking!
Day 6: Chianti Wine Tour in Tuscany
Spend the morning having a leisurely breakfast and exploring some of the sights of Florence that you have yet to see. For more suggestions, check out this post on things to do in Florence.
In the afternoon, make your way to the train station to catch your tour bus for a half-day chianti wine tour in Tuscany! You’ll make your way through the rolling hills of one of the world’s most famous wine regions to visit two wineries for tastings, including stops at the charming towns of Greve and Castellina.
You can book this budget-friendly tour here, or this alternative small group option.
While in Greve, be sure to stop in at Antica Macelleria Falorni for some Chianti and a snack! And don’t forget to soak in all the beautiful views that the Tuscan countryside has to offer.
Day 7: Train from Florence to Rome
Roma – the Eternal City; a city filled with history; the capital of Italy where churches and fountains abound! Visiting this city will keep you very busy, and it’s near impossible to really see everything in one trip! I recommend picking out a few “must-dos” to focus on for your first trip to this sprawling city.
Quick trip to Boboli Gardens first
But first, Boboli! If you haven’t made your way to the gardens in Florence yet, consider spending the morning wandering Boboli Gardens before you take your train to Rome. It’s only €10 per person to get access to the garden and some of the museums inside. It definitely makes a nice peaceful morning activity! If you need convincing, check out my Boboli Gardens Photo Tour.
Frecciarossa to Rome
One of the advantages of traveling between the main cities in Italy is the ability to travel on the high speed trains like the Frecciarossa or Italo. Keeping with the theme of comfort, I booked the girls on Business Class again for their journey down to Rome. Travel time from Florence to Rome is approximately an hour and a half. Not too bad!
From the Pitti Palace al Ponte Vecchio hotel in Florence, make the 15-minute walk back to the S.M. Novella train station for travel to Rome’s Termini station.
Stay 3 Nights at Smooth Hotel Rome Termini
Address: Via Palestro, 13, 00185 Roma RM, Italy
https://www.smoothhotelrometermini.com/
I chose the Smooth Hotel Rome Termini mostly because of its proximity to the train station, meaning the girls only had about a five-minute walk to the hotel. The Smooth Hotel is also a more business-style hotel, meaning it is clean and modern. Near the end of an active trip, I always like to think about being in a comfortable and clean space to start winding down.
Free Time to Explore Rome
Spend the afternoon getting acquainted with this fast-paced city, taking note of some of the sights you may want to come back to later. Some recommendations for things to see on your first day in Rome:
- Trevi Fountain (especially at night)
- Spanish Steps
- Pantheon
- Piazza Navona
Restaurants to Try in Rome
- Pinsere for pizza (closer to hotel), Via Flavia, 98, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
- Pianostrada (down by the Tiber River) 22, Via delle Zoccolette, 00186 Roma RM, Italy (reservations are recommended)
- Giulia Restaurant (Lungotevere dei Tebaldi, 4a, 00186 Roma RM, Italy)| https://www.giuliarestaurant.it/en/
- I wanted to make a special note about Giulia because the girls happened upon this lovely place on their evening walk around Rome and absolutely loved it – everything from the food to the servers to the atmosphere and craft cocktails! This one comes highly recommended (ask for the Boulevardier or the smoked rhubarb negroni!)
Pro Tip: Stay away from restaurants right next to the bigger tourist attractions. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard others complain about horrible food in Rome because they chose to eat in areas that target tourists.
Day 8: The Best of Rome
Did you even go to Rome if you didn’t go to the Colosseum?!
Of course the Colosseum was on the list of must-sees for the girls! I made sure to book tickets ahead of time for them so they wouldn’t have to worry about waiting in line. I’ve heard horror stories about the wait – but also stories about other entrances that you can get tickets at without as much of a wait. Not being to Rome myself (gasp!), I thought it best to plan ahead.
Booking Colosseum Tickets
You can book your tickets for the Colosseum ahead of time on their official website. There are different packages to choose from, but the most basic just includes entrance to the Colosseum. All ticket options also include entrance to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. There are also options to have a guided tour included, an audio guide, or even access to different parts of the Colosseum that don’t come included with your basic ticket.
Once you decide on a ticket to purchase, you’ll be taken to a page where you can choose your desired entrance time, which will show a count of how many tickets are left for that time slot. Some sample ticket prices would be €18 for the basic entry ticket, or entry with a guide for €24. Booking your ticket ahead of time online means you will go straight through to the security line when you get to the Colosseum, avoiding any of the ticket lines.
Alternatively, you can book a small group tour that takes all the stress away from booking your own tickets like this one or this one.
The Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
As mentioned above, entry to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are also included with your Colosseum entry ticket, so make sure you plan enough time here to wander around all three attractions!
Free Afternoon to Explore Roma
The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure to relax and enjoy some delicious Italian food or keep the momentum going and explore some of the other main sights in Rome that you have yet to see.
Day 9: Vatican Tour
On the last day in Rome, you’ll visit Vatican City – the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, and home to The Pope and an array of truly impressive art and architecture. For this visit, I was sure to book an early morning tour for the girls so they could get early access to everything with less crowds.
Early Access Small Group Tour
The girls were booked with an 8:10 a.m. departure time that included skip-the-line access with a small group tour that visited The Vatican museums of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. Being able to see the masterful artworks of Raphael and Michelangelo in person is such a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience! The group on this tour is limited to 12 participants, making sure that you’ll always be able to see and hear your guide along the way.
Pro Tip: If you can, I always recommend doing the small group tours, even if they cost a little more! The overall experience is definitely worth it.
Some important notes about this tour:
- If you aren’t staying in a nearby hotel, I recommend taking a taxi to the Vatican for your early morning departure to ensure that you make the tour on time (be sure to arrive 15 minutes early).
- Do not bring any large purses, bags, or backpacks on this tour as they are not allowed.
- As with all churches in Italy, make sure shoulders and knees are covered (this goes for both men and women).
- Lastly, when booking this tour, please take note of the following from Viator’s website: “Please be aware that due to the Basilica restrictions, tours at 2:30pm or later from April until October, the guided tour of the Basilica will be shorter & from November until March, there won’t be a guided tour inside the Basilica, due to Basilica’s restrictions.”
Once you’ve had your fill of all the Vatican has to offer, I recommend spending your final moments in Rome wandering through the beautiful Trastevere neighborhood. From the Vatican City area, Trastevere is about 45 minutes walking distance, or you can always take a taxi of course.
Restaurant Recommendations:
- Bar San Calisto for cheap drinks Piazza di S. Calisto, 3, 00153 Roma RM, Italy
- Prosciutteria Trastevere – Cantina dei Papi for meat and cheese boards with a glass of wine (Via della Scala, 71, 00153 Roma RM, Italy) https://www.cantinadeipapi.com/le-specialita-prosciutteria/
- La Botticella if you can score an outdoor table (Vicolo del Leopardo, 39/a, 00153 Roma RM, Italy) https://www.facebook.com/botticellapub/
- Rimessa Roscioli for wine and buffalo cheese tasting (Via del Conservatorio, 58, 00186 Roma RM, Italy) https://www.winetastingrome.com/
- Pasta dish you must try in Rome: cacio e pepe!
The girls were able to try both the Prosciutteria noted above (which they said was amazing!), as well as La Botticella, which they said served their most favorite meal in Rome (and where they got to try the famous cacio e pepe).
Overall Rome Impressions/Observations
Remember that Rome is a big city, so you’re likely to experience high volumes of crowds everywhere you go, and yes, there’s going to be a lot more trash on the streets (as the girls so observed). I chose not to go to Rome on my first trip to Italy simply because I wanted to experience more of the small town charm that Italy had to offer. That being said, I know I’ll make it to Rome one day and live the experience myself!
book more italy activities with get your guide!
The end! Well, almost…
Whew! Take a breather. If you’ve made it this far, congratulations! You are now ready to plan your very first trip to Italy. And, if you’ve been to Italy before, maybe you got some new ideas?
Before I sign off, here are some basic things to know about travel to Italy that pertain to this itinerary:
Italy FYI’s
- Florence is called “Firenze” in Italian
- Venice is called “Venezia” in Italian
- Rome is called “Roma” in Italian
- Most restaurants will charge a small cover fee (a coperto), which usually amounts to a few Euros per bill.
- Your hotels will charge a small nightly tax payable upon checkout (should not be more than 6 euros per person)
- Tipping is not necessary unless you feel the need to add a few extra euros if your servers do a great job (this is what the coperto is for)
- Water is only served in bottles – there is no tap water! You’ll have a choice of either naturale (still water) or frizzante (sparkling) and yes, you’ll likely have to pay for this
- Taxis have to be caught at a taxi stand – no hailing from the street! Choose the first in line. Italian taxis can be very expensive, so watch that meter! I also noticed that some charge an extra fee if you have big luggage to haul.
- Breakfast (continental) is generally included at many hotels and is usually quite good. Definitely take advantage of these and always try the cappuccinos!
- Shoulders and knees need to be covered when entering churches, as I mentioned above a couple of times. This stands for both men and women.
Italy is such an amazing country to visit, no matter what cities or towns you choose to see on your first or even 20th trip. This country stole my heart; it stole the heart of my two dear friends; and I hope Italy steals your heart.
I’d love to hear from you if you’ve ever been to Italy – specifically Venice, Florence, or Rome, to see what you’d do differently or if you have anything you would add! And of course, if you have any further questions about details of this trip, feel free to comment below!
Ciao!
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Cathy says
Planning first trip to Italy and found this post super helpful! Just curious what your friends’ budget was for this itinerary (ballpark figure). Thanks so much!
Moani Hood says
Hi Cathy! So glad you found my post helpful. If I remember correctly, I think their budget was around $3,000 – $3,500 per person for this trip, not including a budget for food/drink while traveling.
Diane says
Wonderful post! We’re going in June but doing the cities in reverse order (2 weeks starting with Rome, train to Florence, train to Venice). So looking forward to this first time trip to Italy for 2 couples…tours and experiences are all booked and following your suggestions, I think we chose well! Thanks!
Moani Hood says
That’s wonderful Diane! I’m glad you found my post helpful. You are going to absolutely love Italy. I’d love to hear your feedback on the tours once you return!