One Week in Italy: Rome, Florence & Venice

3 days in Rome exploring the Colosseum, Vatican Museums, Trastevere, and trattoria dinners.

2 days in Florence admiring the Uffizi, Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and Tuscan cuisine.

2 days in Venice exploring St. Mark's, the Grand Canal by vaporetto, and hidden alleyways.

Start at the Colosseum — book skip-the-line tickets online. Allow 2 hours for the arena floor and upper tiers.

Walk through the ruins of the Roman Forum — the political heart of ancient Rome. Climb Palatine Hill for panoramic views.

Monti is a charming neighborhood with great trattorias. Try La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali for Roman classics like cacio e pepe.

Toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain, then stroll to the Spanish Steps. Best visited in late afternoon for golden light.

Trastevere is Rome's most atmospheric dining neighborhood. Wander the cobbled lanes and pick a busy osteria for carbonara and house wine.

Book Vatican Museums tickets weeks ahead. The Sistine Chapel ceiling is the highlight — no photos allowed. Allow 3-4 hours minimum.

Free entry to the basilica (dress code enforced — no bare shoulders or knees). Climb the dome for stunning views of Rome.

Grab pizza al taglio (by the slice) or sit down at a café facing Piazza Navona's fountains.

The Pantheon is the best-preserved Roman building — free entry. The oculus (open dome) is breathtaking at noon when sunlight streams in.

Bernini's sculptures and Caravaggio's paintings in a beautiful villa. Reserved time-slot tickets required — book ahead.

Trenitalia or Italo high-speed train from Roma Termini to Firenze Santa Maria Novella. Journey ~1.5 hours. Book in advance for best fares.

Florence's main square — admire the open-air sculpture gallery (Loggia dei Lanzi) and Palazzo Vecchio. Free to wander.

The medieval bridge lined with goldsmith shops. Best viewed at sunset from the riverside.

One of the world's greatest art museums — Botticelli's Birth of Venus, Leonardo's Annunciation, Raphael's Madonnas. Book timed tickets online.

Climb Brunelleschi's dome (463 steps) for incredible city views. The baptistery bronze doors by Ghiberti are also stunning. Book the Brunelleschi Pass online.

Food hall on the ground floor of the central market — pick from fresh pasta, lampredotto sandwiches, and gelato. Great for groups with different tastes.

See Michelangelo's David — the original is here (the one in Piazza della Signoria is a copy). Book tickets in advance.

High-speed train from Florence to Venice Santa Lucia. Journey ~2 hours. Sit on the right side for countryside views.

Arrive in Venice and head straight to St. Mark's Square at golden hour. The basilica and Doge's Palace glow at dusk. Cafés with live music are pricey but magical.

Gold mosaics covering 8,000 sq meters. Book a skip-the-line ticket. The Pala d'Oro altarpiece is a separate ticket inside.

The oldest bridge over the Grand Canal. The nearby Rialto Market (Erberia) is great for fresh seafood and produce in the morning.

Classic Venice experience — €80 for 30 min (official rate, evening surcharge). Share among the group. Best in side canals, not just the Grand Canal.

Cannaregio is a quieter, authentic neighborhood. The Jewish Ghetto has excellent restaurants and bakeries. Try cicchetti (Venetian tapas) with an Aperol Spritz.

The seat of Venetian power for 1,000 years. Walk the Bridge of Sighs from inside. The Secret Itineraries tour is worth booking for hidden rooms.

Modern art in Peggy Guggenheim's former home — Picasso, Pollock, Dalí, Magritte. Compact museum with a lovely garden and canal views.

Lunch along the sunny Zattere promenade with canal views, then head to the train station or airport. Settle group expenses before departure!