A Week in Italy: Rome, Florence & Venice Highlights
Seven days. Three iconic cities. One unforgettable journey.
If you only have one week to spend in Italy, the “Big Three”—Rome, Florence, and Venice—form the holy trinity of Italian travel. This route, often called the “Golden Triangle,” offers the perfect blend of ancient history, Renaissance art, and romantic canals.
While seven days is a whirlwind, it is entirely possible to see the highlights if you plan strategically. We have crafted this itinerary to help you maximize your time, minimize travel stress, and—most importantly—eat incredibly well along the way.
Days 1-3: Rome (The Eternal City)
Ancient ruins, baroque piazzas, and carbonara.
Day 1: The Ancient Heart Drop your bags and head straight for the icons. Start at the Colosseum (pre-book your tickets to skip the line!) and wander through the Roman Forum, where Caesar once walked.
- Lunch Tip: Avoid the tourist traps right next to the ruins. Walk ten minutes into the Monti neighborhood for authentic Roman pasta.
- Evening: Walk to the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. Seeing them lit up at night is often more magical (and slightly less crowded) than during the day.
Day 2: The Vatican & Trastevere Spend your morning at the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica. The Sistine Chapel is a non-negotiable bucket list item.
- Afternoon: Cross the river to Trastevere. This ivy-draped neighborhood is the culinary soul of Rome.
- The Best Way to Taste Rome: Rome is huge, and finding the best food can be daunting. Join us for a [Rome Food & Wine Tour] this evening. We’ll guide you to family-run trattorias to taste authentic Cacio e Pepe and Supplí, ensuring you eat like a local, not a tourist.
Day 3: The Pantheon & Departure Before you catch your train, visit the Pantheon, the best-preserved building from ancient Rome. Grab a coffee at Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè nearby—famous for its secret creamy espresso blend.
- Travel Tip: Take the high-speed Frecciarossa train from Rome (Termini) to Florence (Santa Maria Novella). It takes just 1.5 hours.
Days 3-5: Florence (The Cradle of the Renaissance)
Art, leather markets, and steak.
Day 3 (Evening): Arrival in Florence Arrive in Florence in time for a sunset stroll along the Arno River. Walk across the Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in Florence, famous for its glittering jewelry shops.
- Dinner: You must try the Bistecca alla Fiorentina—a massive T-bone steak grilled to rare perfection.
Day 4: Masterpieces & Markets Florence is a walking museum.
- Morning: Visit the Accademia Gallery to stand in awe of Michelangelo’s David. It is larger and more imposing than pictures suggest.
- Afternoon: Climb the 463 steps of Brunelleschi’s Dome (The Duomo) for a panoramic view of the red-tiled roofs. Afterwards, reward yourself with gelato.
- Shopping: Browse the San Lorenzo Market for high-quality Italian leather goods, from jackets to handbags.
Day 5: The Uffizi & Departure Spend your final morning at the Uffizi Gallery, home to Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus.
- Travel Tip: Hop on the high-speed train to Venice (Santa Lucia). The journey takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes. Note: Ensure you book to “Venezia Santa Lucia” (the island), not “Venezia Mestre” (the mainland).
Days 5-7: Venice (The Floating City)
Canals, cicchetti, and glass.
Day 5 (Evening): The Grand Canal There is nothing like stepping out of the train station and seeing the Grand Canal for the first time.
- Welcome to Venice: Take a vaporetto (water bus) line 1 down the Grand Canal to your hotel. It’s the cheapest and most scenic “tour” in the city.
Day 6: St. Mark’s & Hidden Canals Start early at St. Mark’s Square to see the Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. But the real magic of Venice lies in getting lost.
- Afternoon: Wander away from the crowds into the Cannaregio or Castello districts.
- The Grand Finale: End your Italian adventure with our signature [Venice Food & Wine Tour]. Venice has a unique tapas culture called cicchetti. We will take you to historic bacari (wine bars) to sip Prosecco and snack on delicious bite-sized Venetian specialties. It’s the perfect, intimate farewell dinner.
Day 7: Departure Enjoy a final cappuccino and a frittelle (Venetian donut) before taking a water taxi to Marco Polo Airport.
Tips for a Smooth 1-Week Trip
- Book Trains in Advance: High-speed train prices (Trenitalia or Italo) rise closer to the date. Book at least 3 weeks out.
- Skip the Lines: For the Colosseum, Vatican, Uffizi, and David, buying tickets online in advance is mandatory if you want to avoid 2-hour lines.
- Pack Light: You will be dragging your luggage over cobblestones in Rome and bridges in Venice. A carry-on size is your best friend.
- Eat Local: In every city, avoid restaurants with pictures of food on the menu. Or better yet, let us guide you to the hidden gems!
