The Best of Italy in a Week

Italy is a big country with so many different provinces, Islands and experiences that you can easily spend couple months exploring each corner. Most of us don’t have the luxury to take off a month so when you are pressed for time and only have about a week to make the best of your Italian adventure. Here are my tips for a week long itinerary that hits all the must sees for those traveling to Italy for the first time. I would recommend traveling in May, June, September and October and avoid going during really hot and busy summer months of July & August. If you would like to go during the summer months of July & August, skip Venice and head directly to Rome & Amalfi Coast to enjoy some time by the sea.

 

Start in Venice

Day #1 – Arrival

Start your Italian journey with world’s most romantic city of Venice filled with charming narrow streets and unique canals. You can fly directly to Venice airport and take a local taxi to your hotel. Depending o your budget, there are some great 4* and 5* properties all centrally located, however, keep in mind Venice will be your most expensive part of the trip. Some of my favorite properties are Palazzo Sant’Angelo (4*) and Centurion Palace (5*) where the movie “The Tourist” with Angelina Jolie & Johnny Depp was filmed.  After you check in start your journey by taking a quick 30 minute Gondola Ride through the many canals and enjoy a bit of history from your Gondolier. Don’t forget to enjoy a typical Italian gelato before hand. After your Gondola ride head over for a delicious Italian meal. If you are looking fine dining I would suggest MET Restaurant (michelin star), Quadri (michelin star) or Taverna la Fenice and you definitely need to make a reservation before hand. For more casual options I would recommend Rossopomodoro, Danieli Terrazza (with probably the best view of Venice) or Bancogiro.

Day #2 – Explore Venice

Spend the day exploring beautiful Venice by foot. Head to St Mark’s Square, the heart of political and religious power of the Venetian Republic for centuries. Here you can spot the grand 11th century church of St Mark’s Basilica, nicknamed the Church of Gold for its sheer opulence and position as a status symbol of Venetian wealth. Adjacent is St Mark’s Campanile, the imposing 12th century bell tower, standing at 323 feet tall. Visually dominating the entire northern stretch of the square are the arcaded Procuratie Vecchie buildings, in classical and Gothic style. Just off the square, and lining the Grand Canal, admire the Gothic style exterior of the 13th century Doge’s Palace, former residence to the supreme ruler of the Venetian Republic of antiquity. End your afternoon by visiting the Rialto Bridge and follow by an Italian aperitivo before dinner.

Head to Florence

Day #3 – Venice – Florence

After you check out from your hotel take a transfer to the train station. The fast Italian trains are called Freccarossa and this is the one you want to take to Florence which will take about 3 hours to get you there. When you arrive at the trains station in Florence take a local taxi to your hotel. Two areas to consider are either centrally located close to the Duomo (some of my favorites are Santa Maria Novella or L’Orologio Hotel for your 4 star options or The Savoy for a luxury 5*. Another famous area is the Ponte Vecchio  which by the river. Here I would recommend Continentale Hotel (4*) or Portrait (5*). Spend the rest of the day exploring Florence. Stroll through the vibrant central market zone, passing the powerful Medici family’s church, Basilica di San Lorenzo, with history dating back to its consecration in 393 AD. Walking through Florence’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed old city center, you’ll come to renowned Cathedral Square where you can admire some of the city’s most iconic sites. Spot the massive 13th-15th century Florence Cathedral (or Duomo) and 277-foot Giotto’s Bell Tower, which dominate the skyline, as well as the nearby 11th century Romanesque Baptistery with its Paradise Door. In Signoria Square, effectively an open-air sculpture museum, view the imposing Palazzo Vecchio with its clock and bell tower, and marvel at the stunning Neptune Fountain and recreated statue of Michelangelo’s masterpiece, David. Head to the elegant 14th century Ponte Vecchio, known as the jewel bridge. After snapping some photos along this famous bridge, pass by the wonderful 14th century Pitti Palace before you head to dinner. Some great dining options Boccanegra Restaurant, Coquinarius Restaurant and if you would like to try an authentic Fiorentine steak where the locals go then check out Atica Trattoria “da Tito”. 

Day #4 – Take a day trip to Tuscan Country side for some wine tasting

Traveling to Florence and not seeing the beautiful country side is a sin. After you explore all the historic sites of Florence it’s time to taste some great Tuscan wine and enjoy the view along the way. Rent out a car in Florence (or book a private tour of the Tuscan country side so you don’t have to worry about driving – highly recommended) and head over to San Gimignano first. San Gimignano is a tiny town that has remained intact through the centuries. Magnificently situated on top of a hill, the UNESCO-listed old town of San Gimignano is famous for its 13th century walls, and skyline of medieval towers. Explore inside the historic walls with independently, ripe with Romanesque and Gothic architecture, take notice of the 14 surviving medieval towers, some dating back as far as the 11th century, and descend on the triangular Piazza della Cisterna, lined with medieval houses. In the countryside outside of San Gimignano, I suggest heading over to a beautiful family run winery called La Marronaia for a delicious lunch and wine tasting. After, continue to Siena; a city masterfully perched atop three rising hills. Meeting up with a private local guide, marvel at the many sites and highlights of the city including the Piazza del Campo; one of Europe’s most stunning medieval squares. Dominating the fan-shaped square are the 13th century City Hall, Palazzo Pubblico, and the skyline-topping Torre del Mangia, a 330-foot bell tower from the 14th century. Some other monuments at the square include the Palazzo Sansedoni, a 13th century palace comprised of five fused private homes, and the ornamental Gaia Fountain. Before returning to Florence, enjoy a visit to one of the city’s main icons, the 12th century Siena Cathedral, featuring a variety of painted frescoes and sculpted masterpieces created by some of Italy’s most renowned artists.  If after all this you still have the energy, head to Felsina winery and enjoy a private tour of their amazing cellars and get a taste of their super Tuscan wines.

Welcome to Rome

Day #5 – Florence – Rome

In the morning take the Freciarossa fast train to Rome (about an hour long ride) and check yourself in to a hotel. My favourite 5* include Hotel De Russie, and Rome Cavalieri Resort (a bit further out of the historic town) for some good 4* I would suggest Dei Meilini, Capo D’Africa and Rose Garden properties. Spend the rest of your day exploring the archaeological center of Imperial Rome. I would recommend getting a private guide for this to get the most out of your experience and explore the Flavian Amphitheatre, known as the Coliseum, the largest monument of Ancient Rome. The Roman Forum, the centre of Imperial Rome, lies just down the valley between the Palatine, Quirinale and Capitolium hills. Several Temples, Triumphal Arches, Ancient Basilicas, Rostra, the Curia House and many other ancient monuments, make this valley a sort of open-air museum. Enjoy a nice aperitivo at a beautiful and chic it rooftop in Rome called La Grande Bellezza before you head for dinner. For dinning suggestions, I would recommend Osteria de Memmo or Taverna dei Mercanti.

Day #6 – Visit Vatican City

There is so much to do and see in Rome that you can easily spend a week just in this magnificent Italian city. A visit to Rome without seeing the Vatican would be incomplete. Either book a private tour to visit the Vatican or you can also use the local subway system which will take you straight to Vatican city (Ottavio S. Pietro). Take a short walk to Vatican from the station. You’re sure to be fascinated by the impressive collection of art and sculpture at the Vatican Museum and surely awe-struck by Michelangelo’s surreal masterpiece which illuminates the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. His conception and execution of both the “Creation of the World” and “Last Judgment” are to this day hailed as one of the world’s greatest achievements in art. Marvel at the Baroque and Renaissance inspired magnificence that is St. Peter’s Basilica featuring some 800 plus pillars, 44 altars and numerous heavenly created sculptures and paintings. Constructed over 100 years, St. Peter’s Basilica is by far the largest and most renowned Catholic Church in the World. Enjoy one last Italian dinner before you head home. 🙂

If time allows and you have even an extra 3 days I would highly recommend adding in a visit to Amalfi Coast. You can take the fast train to Naples from where you would need to rent a car or arrange a private transfer to get to the Amalfi Coast. Head over to my blog “Treasures of the Amalfi Coast” to find out more recommendations.