Italy is a country that is on many travelers’ wish list. And why not? Italy has it all: fabulous cuisine, gorgeous cities, towering mountains and beautiful beaches, and ancient historical sites. Throw in some gelato and wine and you have the perfect ingredients for a memorable 10-day holiday in Europe. If you have 10 days in Italy, we have five great ideas for how you can spend your time.
For first timers to Italy, Rome, Florence, and Venice usually make the “must-see” list. With 10 days in Italy, you have just enough time to visit these three cities and add in a quick visit to a nearby destination. How to do this is spelled out in our “Classic” Italy itinerary.
But for those who want different ideas of how to spend your time in Italy, we have four more recommendations for you.
With 10 days in Italy, you have just enough time to get a taste of this country. Don’t try to see it all at once. Italy is better visited at a slower pace, so you can sample the food, wander the streets, and get the full experience.
With these itineraries, we tried to strike a balance between visiting a handful of cities and moving slowly enough to have the best experience.
Table of Contents
10 Days in Italy: 5 Itineraries
Italy Itinerary #1: The Classic
Our classic Italy itinerary includes Rome, Florence, and Venice, and the Cinque Terre. It’s a great option if this is your first visit to Italy, since you get to visit three of Italy’s most popular cities along with a visit to a spectacular coastal destination.
Below is an overview of this itinerary.
10 Days in Italy: Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre & Venice
- Day 1: Arrive in Rome
- Day 2: Rome
- Day 3: Florence
- Day 4: Florence
- Day 5: Tuscany Day Trip
- Day 6: Cinque Terre
- Day 7: Cinque Terre
- Day 8: Venice
- Day 9: Venice
- Day 10: Fly home
Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre & Venice | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary (map adapted from Google)
IMPORTANT!! We get a lot of comments and emails about how to add one or two more destinations to this itinerary. We know that it is tempting to squeeze as much in as possible, but we do not recommend adding more to this itinerary. This is already a very busy schedule. If you add on another city, you will get to “see” a lot, but you will end up spending most of your time in Italy on the train. If anything, consider adding more time to Rome before adding on another destination.
Day 1 & 2: Rome
Sunset in Rome
The first day in Rome can be challenging if you arrive on a red-eye flight. Do your best to get adjusted to the time change, visit a few sites in the afternoon, and consider going to bed a little early.
With less than two full days in Rome, you will not be able to see everything, but some of the must-see sites include the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Borghese art gallery, and a tour of the Vatican. Stroll through Piazza Navona and consider having dinner in the Trastevere neighborhood.
LEARN MORE: 2 Days in Rome: The Perfect Itinerary
Day 3, 4 & 5: Florence and Tuscany
Travel by train to Florence. This journey takes just 1.5 hours, so if you leave early in the morning you will have most of the day in Florence.
Siena, Italy
On this itinerary, you have three days in Florence and Tuscany. Florence needs at least one full day to see the main sites. You should also spend one full day in Tuscany. There are numerous hill towns to visit as well as Siena, one of our favorite spots in Italy. You have to decide how to spend the third day: more time in gorgeous Florence or another day in Tuscany, visiting the small towns and vineyards.
We recommend spending two days in Florence with one day for day tripping into Tuscany. Learn how to plan your time in Florence with our 2 Day Florence Itinerary and get ideas on places to visit in Tuscany in our article Best Day Trips from Florence.
One of the best ways to get around Tuscany is to hire a driver. This allows you to sit back and enjoy the views and the wine without the hassles of parking and navigating between the towns. If you are more independent, you can rent a car (this is what we did after our terrible experience with the public bus system in Italy). We do not recommend the bus. On more than one occasion, the bus failed to show up, leaving us stranded on the side of the road. This not only happened in Tuscany but also Sorrento and Amalfi.
You can also join one of these tours to Tuscany from Florence.
Day 6 & 7: Cinque Terre
On the morning of day 6, take the train from Florence to the Cinque Terre. It takes between 1.5 to 3 hours to get to the Cinque Terre. Direct trains take less time but there are many more options that have a transfer in Pisa. You can take a few hours to visit Pisa on the way to the Cinque Terre, but you would be missing out on some valuable time in the Cinque Terre.
If you are booking a train to the Cinque Terre, you will arrive in La Spezia and then take the local train to one the five towns of the Cinque Terre. It takes just 9 minutes to travel from La Spezia to the first town, Riomaggiore, and trains run very frequently.
The Cinque Terre is magical. Five picture perfect towns perched along the Mediterranean coastline just waiting to be explored. You can spend a full day hiking between them or use the train to hop between towns.
LEARN MORE: Hiking the Cinque Terre and The Cinque Terre for Budget Travelers
Day 8 & 9: Venice
Take the train from the Cinque Terre (La Spezia) to Venice. There are no direct trains. Most trains transfer in either Milan or Florence. The quickest journey takes 4 hours but some can take over 6 hours. For your day of travel, book the shortest, most convenient train in the morning, so you have the afternoon to spend in Venice.
One day in Venice is really all you need to see the main highlights. Spend the extra time by cruising out to Murano and Burano or simply wandering the canals some more.
Day 10
Begin your travels home. Or, for those with more time, continue onto your next destination.
See the full itinerary, with recommendations on how to spend your time in each place, where to stay, and how to get around: 10 Day Itinerary: Rome, Florence, the Cinque Terre, & Venice
Italy Itinerary#2: Rome, the Amalfi Coast & Florence
Venice and the Cinque Terre did not make this itinerary, but what you are getting is a visit to the stunning Amalfi Coast, a day trip out the beautiful island of Capri, Pompeii, and an extra day in Rome.
10 Days in Italy: Rome, Amalfi Coast, Florence & Tuscany
- Day 1: Arrive in Rome
- Day 2: Rome
- Day 3: Rome
- Day 4: Sorrento and Pompeii
- Day 5: Capri
- Day 6: Amalfi Coast
- Day 7: Florence
- Day 8: Florence
- Day 9: Tuscany
- Day 10: Fly home
Rome, Amalfi Coast, Florence & Tuscany | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary (map adapted from Google)
Day 1, 2 & 3: Rome
On this itinerary you have one extra day in Rome. This gives you plenty of time to explore this city. Even so, it will be a very busy three days.
Rome
Day 4: Pompeii and Sorrento
Today, you will visit Pompeii in transit between Rome and Sorrento. This is relatively easy to do. From Rome, take the train to Naples (70 minutes). Once in Naples you will transfer to the Campania Express train and take this to Pompeii (get off at the Pompeii Scavi station).
While touring Pompeii, you can store your luggage in the luggage storage facility in the Pompeii Scavi station.
Pompeii
After touring Pompeii, pick up your luggage and then take the Campania Express train to Sorrento. Most likely you are arriving in the mid to late afternoon. After checking into your hotel (your home base for 3 nights), stroll along the marina, have dinner, and try the limoncello…it’s delicious! For hotel recommendations in Sorrento and along the Amalfi Coast, check out our Amalfi Coast Hotel Guide.
For more information on how to visit Pompeii and travel to Sorrento, Capri and the Amalfi Coast, read these posts:
How to Visit Pompeii when Traveling from Rome to Sorrento
How to Travel from Rome to Sorrento, Capri & the Amalfi Coast
Sorrento
Day 5: Capri
Capri is just 20 minutes away from Sorrento by boat. Once in Capri, take a boat tour around the island, enjoy the breathtaking view from Mount Solaro, and explore the towns of Capri and Anacapri. You can even go hiking if you like. For more information, read our article Best Things to Do in Capri.
Via Krupp, Capri
Day 6: Amalfi Coast
Amalfi Coast
From Sorrento, take a day trip to the Amalfi Coast. This is described as one of the most scenic drives in the world. Along the way, visit the towns of Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello.
Positano
The best way to get around is by private driver, ferry, or by boat, whether it is a small group tour or private boat. Parking can be a huge hassle (avoid self-driving the Amalfi Coast during peak season) and using the public bus system can be a nightmare (been there, done that, and we had a miserable experience).
LEARN MORE: 17 Beautiful Towns to Visit on the Amalfi Coast
Day 7, 8 & 9: Florence and Tuscany
The morning of day 7 is spent traveling from Sorrento to Florence. You can take the Campania Express train or hire a private driver to the Naples train station (Napoli Centrale). From Naples it is a 3-hour train ride to Florence. It is a gorgeous journey, especially the final hour, as you travel through Tuscany.
Divide your time between Florence and the hill towns in Tuscany. Spend two days in Florence and one day for a day trip into Tuscany.
Day 10
Begin your travels home. Ideally, fly home from the Florence airport. While researching flights, if you find that you don’t have great options from this airport, you might have to return to Rome and fly home from here.
Optional Variation of this Italy Itinerary
For this itinerary, you can fly into Naples, visit Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, and then continue north to Rome and Florence. This saves you some time traveling back and forth from Rome to the Amalfi Coast. However, for many people, it might be easier and cheaper to fly into Rome, which is why I have the itinerary written the way it is.
Italy Itinerary #3: Northern Italy
This northern Italy itinerary is perfect for those planning their second or third visit to Italy, those who love hiking or skiing, and those who want to do more than just visit a few cities.
On this itinerary, you will visit a few of Italy’s most popular cities, including Venice, Milan, and Verona.
But the best part, in our opinion, is the time you get to spend in the Dolomites. This is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Europe and you don’t have to be a big hiker to enjoy a visit here. There is plenty to do with little to no hiking.
The itinerary ends with a quick visit to Bellagio and Lake Como, another gorgeous spot in Italy.
This itinerary works best from June through September, when the hiking trails are open. If you prefer to go skiing, plan your visit from December through March. The worst time to do this itinerary is April, May, and November, when this area transitions between a hiking and skiing destination and many trails will be closed to both hiking and skiing. In May and November, many cable cars close for maintenance.
Here’s the 10-day itinerary. For more information, take a look at our Northern Italy Itinerary.
10 Day Northern Italy Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive in Venice
- Day 2: Venice
- Day 3: Dolomites
- Day 4: Dolomites
- Day 5: Dolomites
- Day 6: Dolomites
- Day 7: Verona
- Day 8: Milan
- Day 9: Lake Como & Bellagio
- Day 10: Fly Home
Northern Italy itinerary map (map adapted from Google)
Day 1 & 2: Venice
Spend two days visiting the highlights of Venice. This gives you just enough time to visit St. Mark’s Basilica, tour the Doge’s Palace, take some photos of the Grand Canal from the Rialto Bridge, and wander the canals.
LEARN MORE: The Perfect 2 Day Venice Itinerary
Days 3, 4, 5 & 6: The Dolomites
With four days in the Dolomites, you have plenty of time to hike the best trails, visit the lovely lakes, ride the cable cars high into the mountains for extraordinary food, and go on scenic drives over the mountain passes.
The best way to get around the Dolomites is by car. In our Northern Italy Itinerary, we let you know how to do this. You can also learn more in our article Things to Know Before Traveling to the Dolomites.
Val di Funes
Some of our favorite experiences in the Dolomites are hiking the Tre Cime di Lavaredo Loop, having lunch with a view from Rifugio Nuvolau, hiking the Puez-Odle Altopiano, and hiking the Croda da Lago Circuit. But if hiking isn’t your thing, not to worry. You can still see and do a lot in the Dolomites, and you can learn more in our article Best Things to Do in the Dolomites with little to no hiking.
In our Dolomites Travel Guide, we have links to all of our articles about the Dolomites, including the best hikes and how to plan your time.
Day 7: Verona
On this itinerary, spend one day and one night in lovely Verona. On the drive from the Dolomites to Verona, you also have the option to add on a visit to Santuario Madonna della Corona, a beautiful church that literally clings to a rocky cliff.
Santuario Madonna della Corona
Verona
Spend the afternoon strolling through the streets of Verona. For a full list of things to do, check out our Guide to Verona, but the top sights include Piazza Bra, the Verona Arena, Ponte Pietra, Torre dei Lamberti, and Juliette’s House. An afternoon is plenty of time to see these sights.
Tonight, sleep in Verona.
Day 8: Milan
On a quick visit to Milan, visit to the Duomo (walking on the rooftop is an awesome experience), seeing DaVinci’s “Last Supper,” and visiting the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.
For full details of how to plan your day, plus suggestions on how to visit the Duomo and see the “Last Supper,” refer to our One Day in Milan Itinerary.
Milan
Tonight, sleep in Milan.
Day 9: Lake Como
Lake Como is a popular day trip destination from Milan. You can either day trip to Lake Como, spending a second night in Milan, or you can travel to Lake Como and spend the night in Bellagio or Varenna.
Bellagio
From Milan, travel to Lake Como by train or rental car, if you did not drop it off in Verona. Once in the area of Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio, you will get around by ferry, which runs frequently and it doesn’t take long to get from town to town.
Spend several hours in both Bellagio and Varenna and consider taking a short cruise to see the villas that dot the shoreline of Lake Como.
Tonight, sleep in Milan, Bellagio, or Varenna.
Day 10: Fly Home
Fly home from Milan or Venice.
See the full itinerary, with recommendations on how to spend your time in each place and how to get around: 10 Day Northern Italy Itinerary.
Italy Itinerary #4: Southern Italy
This southern Italy itinerary includes some of Italy’s most popular places to visit as well as some hidden gems.
Spend your first few days on the Amalfi Coast of Italy, visiting Sorrento, Capri, Pompeii, and several Amalfi Coast towns.
From here, visit Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa. You may not have heard of these towns before, but they could be one of the most memorable places you visit on this itinerary. Thrill seekers will love ziplining from one town to the other.
From Castelmezzano, travel to photogenic Matera and then Alberobello, a town that looks like it belongs in the pages of a fairy tale. End your trip by visiting a few more towns in Puglia before heading home.
This itinerary works best from mid-April through October, when the hotels and restaurants in the coastal towns of the Amalfi Coast and Puglia are open, the ferries are running, and boat tours are being offered.
For this itinerary, you will need to rent a car. It is challenging to get around Basilicata and Puglia without a car since public transportation is limited in this part of Italy.
Here is the 10-day itinerary. To see the full itinerary, take a look at our Southern Italy Itinerary.
10 Day Southern Italy Itinerary
- Day 1: Getting to Sorrento & the Amalfi Coast
- Day 2: Pompeii and Sorrento
- Day 3: Amalfi Coast day trip
- Day 4: Capri
- Day 5: Paestum & Castelmezzano
- Day 6: Castelmezzano & Matera
- Day 7: Matera
- Day 8: Alberobello
- Day 9:Puglia day trip from Alberobello
- Day 10: Fly home
Southern Italy Itinerary Map | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary (map adapted from Google)
Days 1, 2, 3 & 4: Sorrento, Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, & Capri
On day one, fly into Rome or Naples and then get settled into your hotel in Sorrento or one of the Amalfi Coast towns.
Spend the next three days on the Amalfi Coast. During this time, day trip to Capri, spend a day visiting several of the Amalfi Coast towns, and visit Pompeii.
Capri, Italy
Positano
Marina Grande in Sorrento
We have lots of information about how to plan a trip to the Amalfi Coast. We cover this in much more detail in the Southern Italy Itinerary but here are a few articles to learn more about traveling to this region:
- Best Things to Do on the Amalfi Coast
- One Day in Capri: How to Plan the Perfect Capri Day Trip
- Best Way to Get Around the Amalfi Coast: Car, Bus, Boat, or Tour
- Driving the Amalfi Coast: Is It a Good Idea?
Day 5: Paestum and Castelmezzano
Today, visit Paestum, which sits to the south of the Amalfi Coast. Home to three ancient Greek temples dating back to 450 BC, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is often an overlooked destination in Italy.
Paestum
After your visit, drive east to Castelmezzano (about a 2-hour drive) and get settled in your hotel.
Day 6: Castelmezzano & Pietrapertosa
Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa are two small villages that sit side by side in Basilicata, Italy. Both of them are beautiful to visit and fun to explore. But what makes them even more exciting is the fact that you can get from one to the other on a zipline.
We have been ziplining numerous times around the world and this is a good one! This zipline, also called Volo dell’Angelo (the Angel’s Flight), is one of southern Italy’s most thrilling experiences.
Spend the day in Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa and in the afternoon, drive to Matera. Check into your hotel (you will spend 2 nights in Matera) and have dinner.
Castelmezzano
Day 7: Matera
On this itinerary, you have one full day in Matera. Visit the Rock Church, explore Murgia Materana Park, get a history lesson in a cave house, stroll the picturesque streets, and have lunch and dinner at one of many fabulous restaurants in Matera.
Get the full list in our article Best Things to Do in Matera.
Matera
Day 8: Alberobello
In the morning, drive to Alberobello, a town that is famous for its trulli (small round buildings with conical roofs made of stone). Spend your time visiting the two sections of Alberobello, Rione Monti and Rione Aia Piccola, do a little shopping, visit several rooftop terraces for views of the town, and have a bite to eat.
Alberobello
Sleep in Alberobello.
Day 9: Puglia Day Trip
Today you will day trip to towns near Alberobello. Take your pick from Polignano a Mare, Ostuni, Locorotondo, and Cisternino. End the day with dinner in Alberolbello.
Grotta Palazzese in Polignano a Mare
Ostuni
Day 10: Fly Home
Fly home from Bari (the most convenient airport) or return to Naples and fly home from here.
See the full itinerary, with recommendations on how to spend your time in each place: 10 Day Southern Italy Itinerary
Italy Itinerary #5: Off-the-Beaten-Path
For those who don’t mind skipping some of the more popular cities, this Italy itinerary includes several wonderful, off-the-beaten-path destinations. We love this itinerary because it includes some of our favorite spots in Italy. You even get to explore a hidden gem of Europe, San Marino.
For this Italy itinerary you will need to rent a car. You can pick it up on day 1 at the Venice airport or on the morning of day 3 before leaving Venice.
This itinerary works best from June through early October (for hiking in the Dolomites) or from December through March (when the Dolomites becomes a skiing destination). It’s good to know that between mid-April and late May and mid-September through mid-December many cable cars and chair lifts close in the Dolomites for maintenance.
10 Days in Italy: Venice, Dolomites, Verona, San Marino & Tuscany
- Day 1: Arrive in Venice
- Day 2: Venice
- Day 3: Dolomites
- Day 4: Dolomites
- Day 5: Verona
- Day 6: San Marino
- Day 7: Florence
- Day 8: Tuscany
- Day 9: Tuscany
- Day 10: Fly home
Florence, San Marino, Verona, Dolomites, Venice | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary (map adapted from Google)
Day 1 & 2: Venice
With one and a half to two days in Venice (depending on what time you arrive on day 1), you have just enough time to explore the best of Venice. To help you plan your time read our 1 Day in Venice Itinerary and 2 Days in Venice Itinerary.
Day 3 & 4: Dolomites
The Dolomites are one of the most gorgeous spots in Italy that we have seen. This is hiking paradise. There are numerous trails, from short easy hikes to all day affairs. The views are spectacular, and you don’t have to be a hiker to enjoy a trip here.
The Dolomites
In the Dolomites, the two most popular towns to base yourself are Selva di Val Gardena and Cortina d’Ampezzo. It takes about 2.5 hours to get to either town from Venice. Later, when you transfer to Verona, it is a 2.5-hour drive from Selva di Val Gardena and a 3.5-hour drive from Cortina d’Ampezzo. The drive from both locations is gorgeous.
Day 5: Verona
Verona
Verona is gorgeous, similar to Venice except without the canals, the decay, and the huge numbers of tourists. This is another one of those cities that is perfect for getting lost in (and eating a lot of gelato). Enjoy this low-key day exploring this beautiful city.
Day 6: San Marino
San Marino
In the morning drive to San Marino (3 hours, mostly on the highway). You will have the rest of the day to explore this gorgeous, underrated destination in Europe.
Day 7, 8 & 9: Florence and Tuscany
Wine tasting in Montalcino
Montepulciano
Since you have a car, take your pick of where you want to stay in Tuscany. You can choose Florence, Siena, or any of the Tuscan hill towns, such as Montepulciano, Pienza, or San Gimignano, just to name a few. Or even stay in a villa for three nights. It just depends on what kind of experience you want to have.
Day 10
Begin your travels home. Ideally, fly home from the Florence airport. While researching flights, if you find that you don’t have great options from this airport, you might have to return to Venice and fly home from here.
With More Time
Each of the four itineraries listed above are 10-day itineraries. With only 10 days in Italy, it’s tempting to squeeze in as many destinations as possible. But sometimes the best experience is going slower and visiting fewer cities.
If you are lucky enough to have more than ten days, consider adding more time to any of the destinations listed in this itinerary, rather than adding a quick visit to another city. I know that it is tempting to try to see as much as possible, but your holiday may be more enjoyable if you slow down a little bit.
If you have 14 days, you can visit Rome, Florence, Venice, the Amalfi Coast, and the Cinque Terre. Learn how to do it in our 14 Day Italy Itinerary.
How to Get Around Italy
For these itineraries, you will get around by rental car and/or train.
For information on renting a car, including rental car fees, drop fees, and things to know ahead of time, take a look at our article Important Things to Know Before Renting a Car in Europe.
To check train schedules and to book your trains online, Italiarail.com is the easiest website to use. Just be aware that they charge a €5 booking fee to use their website. You can avoid the €5 fee by using Trenitalia.com, but this website is more difficult to use.
Average Trip Costs for Italy
Here are some estimated costs per person for most destinations in Italy (southern Italy, such as Puglia, tends to be cheaper). All prices are in USD. These are averages, so you might see higher prices in the city center of Rome or on the Amalfi Coast at peak season or cheaper prices in Tuscany during the off season.
- Budget Hotel, double room with two people: $50 – $150
- Mid-Range Hotel, double room with two people: $150 – $350
- Luxury Hotel, double room with two people: $350+
Train Travel: To travel from city to city, train fares range from $15 to $60, depending on the distance traveled and the speed of the train. Regional trains can take twice the length of time to cover the same distance as a high-speed train, and cost half as much, but you will be sacrificing sightseeing time. I think it is best to cut costs by staying in a cheaper hotel or eating out less often, so you can take the faster train and have more time exploring the city.
Meals: Meals cost $10 to $30 per dish, depending on the restaurant. To save money, stay in a hotel that offers breakfast, put together picnic lunches, and skip the drinks at dinner.
Entrance Fees: This varies quite a bit, depending on the city and how much you plan to do. Entrance fees can range from zero to very little, for a place like the Dolomites, up to $50 to $100, for a very busy day in Rome or Florence.
Miscellaneous: Factor in approximately $50 USD per day for miscellaneous fees, such as short taxi or Uber rides, souvenirs, etc.
Ravello, Amalfi Coast | 10 Days in Italy Itinerary
Best Time to Go to Italy
Spring and fall are the best seasons to visit Italy. The weather is generally pleasant during this time.
Summer is peak season so expect huge crowds of people and more expensive accommodations. Italy can also be very busy during Easter week and around Christmas.
Designing Your Own 10 Days in Italy Itinerary?
These Italy itineraries are a great starting point for designing your own custom itinerary. For more tips and tricks to help you plan the perfect trip, consider reading this article:
7 Things to Know When Planning Your First Trip to Europe
To see all of our articles about Italy, take a look at our Italy Travel Guide. For more great itineraries in Europe and around the world, visit our Travel Itineraries page.
If you have any questions about how to plan your 10 days in Italy itinerary, let us know in the comment section below.
More Information for Your Trip to Italy & Europe
EUROPE ITINERARIES: Check out our article 10 Days in Europe: 10 Amazing Itineraries for 10 different ways to visit the best places in Europe. And if you have less time, check out our guide to 25 Ways to Spend One Week in Europe.
EUROPE TRAVEL INSPIRATION: For more great ideas on where to go in Europe, check out our article 30 Beautiful Places to Visit in Europe.
TRAVEL INSPIRATION: For more travel ideas, here are 10 unique destinations to put on your travel wish list and 10 bucket list destinations from around the world.
TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY: For more information about the camera gear we carry, check out our Travel Photography Gear Guide.
More 10 Day European Itineraries
If you are looking for more ideas on how to spend 10 days in Europe, these itineraries may interest you:
- 10 Days in Greece: Santorini, Naxos, Mykonos & Athens
- 10 Days in Portugal: 5 Ways to Plan Your Trip
- 10 Days on Iceland’s Ring Road
- 10 Days in Central Europe: Budapest, Vienna & Prague
- 10 Days in Northern Norway & the Lofoten Islands
- 10 Day Scotland Itinerary: Edinburgh, Glasgow & the Isle of Skye
- 10 Days in Ireland: The Ultimate Irish Road Trip
- The Best of London & Paris in 10 Days
For more great itineraries from Europe and around the world, take a look at our Travel Itineraries page.
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Comments 469
Hello Julie! We just got back from a 10 day trip to Italy and followed about 80% of your itinerary including places to stay. We had a wonderful time and, thanks to you, we were very prepared! So thank you for the time spent putting these itineraries together. Over the past 24 months we have followed your advise for the Big 5 Parks in Utah, Sedona, Washington, Amsterdam, Paris, and now Italy. And for each you were spot on. So again, thank you for all your hard work! My 21 and 24 year-old daughters greatly appreciate it.
Best wishes to you and your family.
Author
Hello Denny. Thank you for the very kind comment and for taking the time to write in! I’m thrilled we were able to help you plan some memorable trips and happy travels to wherever you plan to go next! Cheers, Julie
Hi! Is there a specific itinerary from these 5 you’d recommend for early November? Is it possible to see and navigate dolomites in early November? Debating between creating a 10 day itinerary with Rome and Venice (dolomites) or Rome and Sorrento for early November. Thanks!
Author
Hello Alex. The best itineraries in November are #1 and #2. The Dolomites are not a good place to visit in November. During this month, many cable cars close for maintenance, the trails can be snow covered, and this region transitions into a skiing destination. In southern Italy, in towns in Puglia and along the Amalfi Coast, hotels and restaurants start closing for the season. You might be OK here early in November, but even in early October in Puglia restaurants were starting to close (during our visit in 2022). Cities like Rome, Florence, Venice are great all year. In November crowds should be relatively low, which is a big advantage of traveling this month. You could have some cloudy days and rain, so keep that in mind. But again, I’d recommend doing itineraries 1 or 2. Cheers, Julie
Hi Julie,
Loved reading through your great trip ideas, and truly appreciate the level of detail and links/tips provided! Really outstanding!!
We are headed for Italy for an 11 day trip, split between Florence/Tuscany (4 nights), the Amalfi Coast (4 nights), and Rome (3 nights). We will be going in mid October 2024.
My only real concern is moving about the Amalfi Coast. Specifically, what do we do in the evening hours if, for example, we choose to stay in Praiano for our 4 nights. I’d like to be able to, say, have dinner in Positano, but when darkness falls and I need to go back to Praiano, what is available to me? I understand it is ony 15 minutes or so by bus, but the busses stop running around 9:30 pm that time of year. Would I be able to either get a taxi or private transfer to take us easily at that time of the evening?
I really like the idea of staying in a less busy location than Positano or Amalfi City, but given that we are out all day touring the coast, I’m concerned about getting where I need to go in the later hours.
We aren’t planning on renting a car, due to the expected traffic and parking issues, but certainly would be open to doing so if you think it would be better at that time of year (arriving to the Amalfi Coast around 10/19/24).
Thanks for any help you can provide.
Author
Hello John. That’s a great question. We were in the Amalfi Coast around that same time of year, staying in Positano. We had a car but there were a few things we did where we arranged a private driver (to get us to the Path of the Gods trailhead and to visit wineries up in the hills). If it were me, I’d set up a private driver in advance for the nights you need to get from Positano to Praiano. You might be able to get a taxi but since we didn’t do this, I don’t know how easy it is, especially that late in the day. Buses in our experience are late and unreliable. In our post How to Get Around the Amalfi Coast, I give a link to the company we used, which was recommended to us by our hotel. We used them a few times and they were always on time. Have a great time in Italy and let me know if you have any other questions. Cheers, Julie
Hi Julie!
This article has been so helpful in planning my trip to Italy. I am looking to follow your first itinerary for the classic Italian trip. This one suggests training from Rome to Florence early in the morning and spending the day in Florence. I would like to follow this suggestion but what do you do with your luggage if you arrive early in the morning at a new city before you are able to check into your hotel?
Thanks!
Kurt
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Hello Kurt. In our experience, hotels can generally hold your luggage for you if you room is not ready for check in (we do this a lot and it always works). You just need to make sure you book a property with a front desk, such as a hotel. You may not get this service if you choose something like an apartment or AirBnB. Cheers, Julie
What a wealth of information, thank you! Which of these itineraries work best for a mid-March visit? We like museum/cathedral/monastery visits with a small amount of hikes (and love good food). We have been to the major cities before but that was decades ago and would love to revisit with our daughter at uni who has only been to Pompeii.
Author
In March, itineraries #1 and #2 work the best. March is not a great time to visit the Dolomites, unless you want to go skiing, and even then ski season could be winding down. Southern Italy is also very quiet in March and Puglia in particular doesn’t start “waking up” until April. Even the Amalfi Coast will be quiet, with a lot of hotels reopening the end of March into early April, from what I know. So, #1 would be the best one and it covers a lot of Italy’s must see cities. Cheers, Julie
Thank you so much for your reply. We will probably go for itinerary 1. Presumably it works just as well in reverse, as in Venice first and Rome last?
Author
Yes, you can also do it in reverse and it works just as well.
Hi Julie! We used your advice for our trip to the Big 5 National Parks in Utah, and loved it! Now, planning a trip to Italy and could use a little more advice… We want to focus on the Dolomites, Sienna, and Val d’Orcia, and Florence. Your 10- day itinerary from Vienna to Tuscany sounds a little too packed for our liking and I was wondering if you would recommend the following changes: Fly into Venice or Milan but basically heading straight to Dolomites, skipping Verona and using an agriturismo as our home base in Pienza for day trips to Siena and the surrounding Tuscany cities, then leaving from Florence. Thoughts? Thank you!
Author
Sure, I can do that. Do you have a length of time of travel in mind? And a time of year? The Dolomites need 3 days or more, in my opinion, and is best to visit from mid-June through early October. Rent a car, picking it up at the airport, and drive directly to the Dolomites. I’d keep the car until you get to Florence because it will also be useful for Tuscany. From the Dolomites, drive to Tuscany. I don’t have specific recommendations for agriturismos in that area so you will have to do some research, but staying in that general Val d’Orcia region is a great area for visiting the hill towns (we stayed just outside of Montalcino). 3 to 5 days is a nice amount of time in Tuscany. End in Florence, dropping the car as soon as you get there, because having a car in Florence is a nightmare (the hardest city we have driven in yet, which is saying a lot). After a day or 2 in Florence, fly home. As for planning your time, take a look at our Dolomites Itinerary and Tuscany Itinerary, which have lots of suggestion on how to plan your days. And if you have more questions, feel free to write in again. Cheers, Julie
Hi Julie,
Great insights, I am planning to visit Italy but already been to Lake Como, Venice, Rome, Milan. The places I am planning to visit beginning of May are Tuscany, Sicily, Puglia, Cinque Terre, Amalfi Coast, Florence, Napoli, Capri, Sorrento, Pompeii, Alborebello.
Which ones makes more sense in terms of logistics & itinerary for a 10-12 days trip?
Author
Hello Elias. If you follow our Southern Italy Itinerary, you will see Napoli, Capri, Sorrento, Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, Puglia and Alberobello. We haven’t been to Sicily yet but from what I know, that in itself could be a 10 to 12 day trip. With one week, you could visit Florence and Tuscany, the Cinque Terre takes 2 to 3 days, so that gets you to 10 days. All of these would be great in May so it would just come down to the one that interests you the most. Cheers, Julie
Hello there, we are looking for a motor coach tour for my family members as we are 12-15 people including children and parents for 10 days, we wanted to cover the main cities like Rome, Florence, Tuscany, Venice, Including day trips as it is our first visit, any ideas for that or is there any way we can do it or contact you for the booking and all procedure because we wanted to travel this summer and i want to book it asap. I am expecting a detailed itinerary for day to day, activities offered, tip or tricks so that we can plan out everything according to that way, i am glad that I found amazing content here, well waiting for you reply.
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Hello Abhhijot. We don’t work as travel agents or plan trips but you can share your preferred itinerary with a travel agent and have them make arrangements for you. You could also take a look at our 10 day Italy itinerary that includes Rome, Florence, and Venice, and use our suggestions to make your own bookings. Cheers, Julie
Hi Julie
Thank you for all the great information on Italy. Kudos to you for becoming world travelers and sharing your experiences with us.
I am interested in going to Italy with family (hubs + 2 teen girls) for 10 days at the end of June and through July 4th week. The itinerary that most interest me is #2 and wondering if it makes sense to land in Rome then do Florence and then end the trip south in Naples, Amalfi Coast and surrounding areas. I would try to fly out of Naples (back home to NY). Given this, what do you think is best itinerary. Love all the places you suggested in #2.
Thanks so much!!
Author
Hello Elizabeth. I agree, all of those places are great! Yes, you can do it in that order as well. You will just have to check flight options because we have found it a lot easier to fly into Rome versus Naples. We live in Maryland and sometimes drive to Newark or JFK to take a direct flight, rather than a layover somewhere, so we use the New York airports as well.
Here is a sample itinerary: (1) arrive in Rome (2) Rome (3) Rome (4) morning train to Florence, day in Florence (5) Florence (6) Tuscany day trip from Florence (7) travel to Sorrento by train, afternoon in Sorrento (8) Amalfi Coast (9) Capri (10) fly home from Naples. If you have an additional day, you can use it in the Amalfi Coast. The downside of doing the itinerary in this direction is the longer travel time on day 7, so you’ll lose a little time on the coast and/or the option to visit Pompeii on the way to Sorrento. But you will gain a few extra hours in Florence, since it’s quick to travel from Rome to Florence on day 4 (versus Sorrento to Florence in our original itinerary).
I hope this helps and let me know if you have more questions! Cheers, Julie
Thank you so much! I have been checking flights and I think you are right about flights direct to Rome and back. I may have to do it this way and follow your itinerary after all. 🙂
How far is it to get to Rome from Florence?
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You can take a high speed direct train between Florence in Rome in about an hour 40 minutes. By car, it is a 3 hour drive. Cheers, Julie
HI it’s me again…
Do the trains run 24 hours – we managed to book a flight back to NY from Rome but it’s at 10:30 am which means we have to get to the airport around 7:30 am – do you recommend going back to Rome the night before from Florence or can we take a train around 6 am or even 5:30 am to the airport in Rome?
Do you also have hotel recommendations with good air conditioning since it will be in July?
Thanks so much for all your help!
Author
Hello Elizabeth. I recommend checking the train timetables so you know how early they start running but I am fairly certain that run at 6 am. However, if it were me, I’d get to the Rome airport the night before, since you have to be at the airport so early and won’t have much contigency time traveling from Florence. It’s a very small chance anything would mess up your schedule but it is our personal preference to stay near the airport (within 30 minutes) the night before an early international flight. As for hotels, we have hotel guides for Rome, Florence, and other cities. If you don’t see a designated hotel guide for a city in our Italy Travel Guide, then we sometimes have recommended hotels listed at the end of other city guides (this is usually for smaller cities). You will still have to check the details for each hotel to confirm they offer air conditioning. In 2022, Tim and I stayed at the Porto Romano Marina Resort the night before our international flight home from Rome. Cheers, Julie
THANK YOU!!!
will definitely go back to Rome the night before.
CHEERS.
Hi Julie,
Your website is awesome!! I am following it for sometime but never got a chance to read about how it was started.. I read it recently and I was so happy to read your story..
I am planning to be in Italy (Rome, Florence and Venice) from November 22 – December 2nd
would like to know hotel or AirBnB options in these cities.
What would you recommend. I found Marriott in Rome but looks like it is far from the City Center.
Thanks in advance.
Author
Hello Neha. I’m glad you like our site! We have hotel recommendations in our Where to Stay in Rome rticle, Where to Stay in Florence article, and Where to Stay in Venice article. These all list hotels throughout the cities in all budgets, including apartment rentals. We are Marriott fans but in Rome it’s best to stay in the city center. Cheers, Julie
Thank you Julie!