Been There Read my story Southern Europe

Italy

Duration 10 days Cost ~EUR 2,500 for two Season April-June, September-October Currency EUR (Euro) USD 1 USD = 0.85 EUR Lang Italian

“The Creator made Italy from designs by Michelangelo.”

— Mark Twain

Italy captivates with ancient ruins, world-class art, incredible food, and stunning coastlines.

Why I Love Italy

Art, food, and millennia of history at every turn. Every city is an open-air museum, and every meal is an event.

My Itinerary

Rome (3 days) - Ancient ruins, Vatican City, Trastevere
Florence (2 days) - Uffizi Gallery, the Duomo, Renaissance art
Cinque Terre (2 days) - Colorful coastal villages and hiking trails
Venice (2 days) - Canals, gondolas, stunning architecture

Travel Tips

Book Colosseum, Vatican, and Uffizi well in advance
Learn a few Italian phrases
Walk a few blocks from major sites for authentic restaurants
Trains are excellent between cities

Where to Eat

Da Enzo al 29 (Rome) — Classic Trastevere trattoria with queues worth the wait. ~EUR 15-25. 📍 Maps
Trattoria Mario (Florence) — No-frills family trattoria near Mercato Centrale since 1953. ~EUR 12-20. 📍 Maps
All’Arco (Venice) — Tiny cicchetti bar by the Rialto Market with fresh daily bites. ~EUR 10-20. 📍 Maps
Osteria dell’Enoteca (Florence) — Modern Tuscan classics with an outstanding wine list in Oltrarno. ~EUR 30-45. 📍 Maps
Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina (Rome) — Gourmet deli-restaurant near Campo de’ Fiori with cured meats and cheeses. ~EUR 35-55. 📍 Maps

Where to Stay

Hotel Centrale ★★★ (Rome) — Budget-friendly near Termini. ~EUR 85/night. Book
Hotel Davanzati ★★★★ (Florence) — Boutique hotel in a 14th-century palazzo between the Duomo. ~EUR 150/night. Book
Hotel Al Ponte Antico ★★★★ (Venice) — Grand Canal boutique hotel near Rialto Bridge with canal views. ~EUR 200/night. Book
Hotel Santa Maria ★★★ (Rome) — Charming courtyard hotel in Trastevere with an orange-tree garden. ~EUR 110/night. Book

Tours & Excursions

Rome Colosseum, Forum & Palatine Hill Guided Tour — Skip-the-line Colosseum access with Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. 3h, ~EUR 55. Book
Florence Uffizi Gallery Guided Tour — Expert-led tour of Botticelli, Leonardo, and Michelangelo masterpieces. 2h, ~EUR 50. Book
Venice Grand Canal Gondola Ride — Traditional gondola ride through canals past historic bridges. 30 min, ~EUR 33. Book
Pompeii Day Trip from Rome or Naples — Guided tour of the ancient city preserved by Vesuvius. 6h, ~EUR 65. Book
Tuscany Wine Tour from Florence — Chianti winery visits with tastings and Tuscan lunch. 8h, ~EUR 70. Book

Stories from Italy

Read the story

Italy Without Filters: A Week Between Lido di Jesolo and Venice

Honest week-long travel guide to Lido di Jesolo and Venice, Italy: Adriatic beaches, 150 km of bike paths, Venetian bacari and cicchetti, vaporetto tips, how to get from Bratislava or Vienna, and practical advice on Italian etiquette, food, and slow travel.