Italy Travel Guide
Sofia Laurent· Europe Editor
Updated September 12, 2026 · 9 min read
Italy is Europe's deepest country — every region a different cuisine, every city a different century. The classics (Venice, Florence, Rome) anchor the first trip; the coast and the south anchor the second. Planning figures: Rome and Florence ~€130/day, Venice ~€150, the south ~€95.
The rail network makes the classic routes car-free; the Amalfi and Puglia reward drivers or ferries.
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First trip: the triangle — Venice (2), Florence (2), Rome (3) by rail. Second: the coast — Amalfi, Capri, Pompeii from Naples. Third: the south — Matera and Puglia; or the north — Milan, the lakes, the Dolomites.
- First: Venice 2 → Florence 2 → Rome 3.
- Coast: Naples 2 → Amalfi 3.
- South: Naples 2 → Matera 2 → Puglia 3.
Regional Food Identities
Roman carbonara, Florentine bistecca, Venetian cicchetti, Neapolitan pizza, Puglian orecchiette — order the regional specialty, not the generic Italian menu.
The Classic Triangle
Venice, Florence, Rome by rail.
Day 1 · Venice — arrival
The Grand Canal at dusk.
Day 2 · Venice — islands
Murano and Burano.
Day 3 · Florence — Renaissance
The dome and the David.
Day 4 · Florence — Uffizi
The Botticellis; Oltrarno.
Day 5 · Rome — ancient
The Colosseum and the Forum.
Day 6 · Rome — Vatican
The museums early.
Day 7 · Rome — piazzas
The fountains at dusk.
Practical planning info
Money
- Rome/Florence ~€130/day, Venice ~€150, the south ~€95.
- Book Frecciarossa and timed museum entries ahead.
When
- April–May and late September–October are ideal.
- August is hot and half-closed; winter is quiet and honest.
Frequently asked questions
Rome or Florence first?
Rome — it's the arrival hub and the deepest city. Florence follows by 90 minutes of rail.
Is Italy expensive?
The cities are mid-priced (€110–150/day); the south is Europe's bargain.
How many days for Italy?
Seven for the triangle; ten adds the coast; fourteen is the grand tour.
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