Italy is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations with a really diverse range of attractions ranging from majestic canals, to historical works of Roman architecture, to Baroque cathedrals, and distinctive culture and cuisines. The landscape is also breathtaking; you will come across fabulous piazzas, grand mountains, ancient forums, serene islands with charming villages, and colorful natural scenery. All of Italy, every inch of it, is full of secrets waiting to be discovered.
Italy is full of attractions and your vacation may not seem to be enough to explore the country. Presented below is a 10 day itinerary for a holiday in Italy.
Day 1 and 2 can be spent checking out the numerous attractions in the capital city of Rome.
Ciampino and Fiumicino are the two international airports in Rome. You may take a train, private airport welcome transfers, a shuttle bus, or a taxi to get from the airport to your accommodation in the city. There are many places to stay in Rome and you can choose between AirBnB’s, hostels, and hotels like Navona Colors Hotel, Royal Rooms, and Piazza Del Gesu Luxury Suites, etc.
After keeping your luggage in your hotel room, you may begin your ten day tour of Italy by checking out some of the well known hot spots.
You may begin by going to the Piazza Navona which is a wondrous piazza full of cafes, stores, Baroque palaces, and chic fountains. This place has a distinctive seventeenth century feel to it and the numerous fountains and the Egyptian obelisk are stark reminders of that!
Piazza di Spagna is famous for its lively ambiance that will envelop you with its rich abundance of golden colored structures, marvelous fountains, and pretty steps. It is one of the most well-known squares in the city. This place is bustling with activity almost throughout the day and will keep you captivated for the entire time you are there.
The Piazza di Spagna is connected to the Trinità dei Monti church by the Spanish Steps that was constructed in the 1700s. The Spanish Steps is world famous and a really popular tourist attraction. Hence, it tends to be somewhat overcrowded, but that fact will be overruled by the sheer colorfulness and vibrancy of the milieu of people.
Terrazza del Pincio is located next to the Spanish Steps. Take a trip to this area to revel in one of the most serene views of Rome. The panorama of historical buildings that lay before your eyes is truly enchanting!
Piazza del Popolo is another Roman square that should be visited. It is a peculiar, yet gorgeous and harmonious work of art that offers a neat mix of Spanish, Egyptian, and Italian architectural works. You will be surprised by the presence of oriental works which pepper the square and smoothly blend around the ruins of a Roman cathedral.
The Trevi fountain or the Fontana di Trevi is one of the most sought after tourist hot spots on the planet. It is one of the iconic symptoms of not just Rome, but also of Italy! You may end day one here. The hordes of tourists notwithstanding, you will still find the visit a pretty pleasant experience as you gaze in amazement at the sculptures, Baroque works of art, the intricate designs, and the numerous sculpted figures. Do not forget to throw in a coin into the fountain as it is said to bring luck, love, etc., as well as a trip back to Rome.
Begin day two in Rome with a visit to the Colosseum. One of the wonders of the world, it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country. The grandeur of the structure is a reminder of the importance and influence of Rome during that era, more than 2000 years ago. Walk around and allow the ambiance to take over! Purchase ‘skip the line tickets’ to avoid long queues.
The Pantheon is another structure of historical importance. It is also one of the best preserved monuments in the city. The walls of the Pantheon date back to 125 A.D. The interior oculus is marvelous and has inspired several architects, including Leonardo Da Vinci.
The Roman Forum will help understand the influence and power of Rome in the ancient world. You will get to see palaces, temples, stalls, and other signs reflective of what this lively city center looked like back then. Buy skip the line tickets to avoid long queues.
End the day with a trip to the Piazza Navona for food, coffee, and drinks. Sit at a café on the sidewalk and watch the world go buy.
Take a train from Rome to Florence. The city of Florence is considered as one of the most beautiful places on the continent. Book your train tickets in advance. A journey on the fastest train from Rome to Florence will take around 90 minutes. Train is a good way to travel around Italy as you can see the beautiful landscapes passing by.
Some good accommodations in Florence include the C-Hotels Ambasciatori, Tourist House Battistero, C-Hotels Joy, and Plaza Hotel Lucchesi, etc. Rest for an hour or so at your hotel, eat some delicious dishes, and then head out to discovering the beauty of Florence.
The Duomo Complex is a towering structure that overlooks the city. You are bound to be allured by its skyline dominating Renaissance-style dome. The Duomo is one of the largest cathedrals in the world. This work of Gothic and Renaissance architecture features numerous statues and marble spires that will keep you entertained. You will find the views from the terraces and the rooftop to be truly stunning.
The place is usually crowded and there are long queues. You can avoid the queue by going for a guided tour. There is a dress code for entry into the Duomo and hence you need to dress appropriately.
The Ponte Vecchio bridge offers the perfect postcard moment for your vacation in Italy. It is a simple, quaint bridge that is steeped in hundreds of years of culture and history. It has not changed from the time of the Roman crossing.
Fontana del Porcellino is a popular square that is most famous for its statue of a wild boar. It is said that the boar has magical powers. Take a selfie with the boar while you are there.
The Piazza del Republica is an old forum of settlements by original Romans. There is evidence of ancient encampments of Roman military and neoclassical works. Check out the varied basilicas and go to outdoor cafes for flavorful coffee.
The Basilica di Santa Croce is a spectacular creative creation. It features a careful juxtaposition of Franciscan building-art, wondrous frescoes made by Giotto, and a neo-Gothic façade. The basilica has the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo Galilei, and Ghiberti.
You may spend an hour exploring the extensive Piazza della Signoria square. The area has many attractions like the Neptune Fountain, duplicate Michelangelo statues, beautiful sculpted figurines, and the Uffizi Gallery, etc.
Day two in Florence can consist of discovering and learning about the cultural and creative art side of the city.
The collection at the prominent Uffizi museum is mind-bogglingly big, diverse, and chic. The paintings and artworks are spread out across more than 44 halls. Thus, you will need at least 2 to 3 hours to explore its extensive grandeur that includes art by Michelangelo, Renaissance paintings, and many controversial works of art, etc. Take a guided tour of the gallery or book a timed entry ticket to avoid long queues.
The Galleria dell’Accademia is home to a vast collection of Florentine artworks that date between the 13th and 18th centuries. It has striking sculptures, decorative frescos, and marvelous statues, etc. Take a guided tour of the gallery or book a timed entry ticket to avoid long queues.
The Palazzo Pitti is the biggest museum in the city. It is home to some really unique artworks from the Renaissance era.
End the day with a visit to the Piazzale Michelangelo. It is most famous for being the place from where you can see the most amazing panoramic views of Florence. Check out the sunset from the Piazza and later the nighttime skyline of the city. If you are lucky, you may even see monks and hear them chant before the sun dips into the horizon.
You may visit Cinque Terre or the villages of Tuscany on day 5 of the Italy tour itinerary.
Italy is quite a compact country and it is really easy to travel from one place to another. Tourists can take a day trip from Florence to Pisa and Luca or to Siena Chianti and San Gimignano.
Cinque Terre is replete with colorful places. Siena Chianti and San Gimignano will offer you a realistic experience of medieval villages and towns, undulating hills, abundant wine-growing regions, and new charming tiny Italian towns.
Pisa and Luca will offer you the chance to check out ancient spectacular symbols of the country. These are really touristy places.
Once you are back in Florence from Tuscany or Cinque Terre, you can take a train to the magical and delightful city called Venice. A few good places to stay in Venice include Hotel Rio, Hotel Ai Reali, Hotel Al Codega, and B&B Bloom Settimo Cielo, etc.
St Mark’s Cathedral is a basilica that is full of treasures dating back centuries. It still retains its majestic glory of the past. The extraordinarily detailed façade consists of abundance of designs and intricate artworks, while the interior is full of mosaics, golden-hued altars, and lots more! Take a guided tour to skip long queues.
The Piazza San Marco is the vibrant heart of Venice. It is one of the most iconic and famous plazas in Italy. The plaza is home to many brick-based towers, gorgeous bridges, and beautiful buildings all of which are over centuries old. The plaza is also the best place to get the typical Venetian vibe!
Companile di San Marco is a big bell tower made of bricks that spectacularly soars over the plaza. Go to the top of the tower to get amazed by the fantastic views of the piazza and surrounding areas. Avoid the queues by advance purchasing a skip the line ticket.
Another legendry symbol of Venice is the Rialto Bridge. The bridge’s construction seamlessly blends into the surroundings made up of attractive canals. A lot of kaleidoscopic stalls can be found scattered across the bridge while the surroundings are laced with many different attractions. It is a really romantic place.
Doge’s Palace is an extravagant structure with a byzantine-designed façade and interiors that are full of innumerable paintings, arty sculptures, lacy designs, and local architecture. Do not forget a visit to the Hall of the Great Council and/or the Bridge of Sighs. Take a guided tour or buy a priority entry ticket to avoid long queues.
Day two in Venice can begin with a visit to the Accademia Galleries for soothing the eyes and mind with some fantastic artworks. The gallery has an amazing collection of Venetian paintings dating back to the 14th century. It also has artworks by a spectrum of artists, painters, etc.
Walk around the winding alleyways in the city and be happy to get lost. The distinctive architecture with its canals, bridges, and cobblestone paths will keep you wanting more!
Go for a tour across the Venetian Lagoon and soak up the incredible history and scenes that surrounds you. A cruise trip around the Venetian Islands will be worth your time as you will get to check out the simple life, amazing scenery, culture, traditions, and lots more!
Finish off the day with a ride on the famous Gondolas. A gondola ride along the canals if a true Venetian experience! Do it to feel it!
Take a trip to Pompeii on day eight of your vacation in Italy.
Check out the magnificence of Mount Vesuvius and the ruins of the lost city of Pompeii with its many varied hidden secrets. Go to the summit to enjoy the captivating views of the ruins, the Bay of Naples, winding paths, and frescos, etc.
Day nine of the 10 day trip to Italy consists of reveling in the delights at Vatican City. You will get lost in the many galleries, the churches, the paintings, and the gardens and often feel that you have transcended into an incomparable spiritual universe.
Almost all attractions in the Vatican City have long queues. Go for ‘skip a line tour’ to avoid them.
The Sistine Chapel is one of the most famous cathedrals in the world. The interior of the church is dominated by frescos of Michelangelo depicting varied scenes from the Bible. This is another place that has to be visited to be believed as no words can describe its magnificence and the all-encompassing beauty!
The Vatican Museum is another place in Italy that boasts of a huge collection of artworks, paintings, sculptures, etc. The museum has more than 1390 rooms which are home to artworks that are as old as 4000 years.
St Peter’s Basilica is one of the largest churches on the planet. It is home of the Pope. The church has amazing architecture and a visit to it will indeed be truly unforgettable! After you have finished exploring the basilica, climb to the top of the central dome and get amazed by the stunning panoramic views of the city with its piazzas, plazas, buildings, and winding paths, etc.
The Vila Borghese and its beautiful gardens are not that famous, but it is also a must visit when in the Vatican City. It is home to one of the biggest and most diverse private collections of artworks, including paintings by Raphael, Bernini, etc. There is even an entire gallery that features just Renaissance art!
If you have time, then have a quick trip to the Castel San Angelo castle. Do not forget to go to the upper terrace and enjoy the spectacular views!
Just relax and enjoy the day. Indulge in a light Italian meal. Chill and take in the surroundings, till it’s time for your flight back.
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