The classic first trip: three days in Rome, Florence with a day in Siena, then Venice and its islands, linked by fast trains, with sightseeing on the travel days too. Fly into Rome and home from Venice.
10 days, 58 stopsBalanced paceBest Apr to Jun, Sep to OctApproved by TravPa Editors, Nov 3, 2026
Trip at a glance
Add your first day to see each day's date, weather, sunset and closing days.
Day 1: Rome: Ancient Rome
The Colosseum and the Forum in the morning, lunch in Monti, the Capitoline Museums and the Vittoriano, then dinner in the Jewish Ghetto.
1
8:30 AMBook aheadColosseumBook a time slot ahead and arrive early; bring water and a hat.About 1 hour 45 min here
Entry: €18 (about $20) · Includes the Forum and Palatine; book a time slot
10:30 AMRoman Forum and Palatine HillClimb the Palatine for the view over the Forum and the Circus Maximus. Allow about 2 hours.About 2 hours 15 min here
Same ticket as the Colosseum
Walk about 10 min
3
1:00 PMMontiLunch in the lanes around Piazza della Madonna dei Monti: pizza by the slice, trattorias and wine bars.About 1 hour 15 min here
Pay as you go
Walk about 12 min
4
2:30 PMCapitoline MuseumsSee the bronze she-wolf, then the gallery under the palaces that looks straight down onto the Forum.About 2 hours 15 min here
6:30 PMJewish GhettoDinner around the Portico of Octavia: order carciofi alla giudia, crisp fried artichokes, when in season.
Pay as you go
Before you go
Book these aheadColosseum (day 1), Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel (day 2), Borghese Gallery (day 3), Galleria dell'Accademia (day 4), Florence Cathedral (Duomo) (day 5), Uffizi Gallery (day 5), St. Mark's Basilica (day 8): timed tickets, or tickets that often sell out.
Book fast trains earlyFrecciarossa and Italo fares rise as trains fill, so book the Rome to Florence and Florence to Venice trains once your dates are set.
Stamp regional train ticketsPaper tickets for regional trains, such as a train to Siena, must be stamped in the machines on the platform before you board.
Travel light between citiesYou will carry your bags through Florence and over the bridges of Venice, so a carry-on size bag each makes the travel days easy.
Plan around closing daysThe Vatican Museums close on most Sundays, and the Borghese Gallery, the Uffizi and the Accademia on Mondays.
Cover shoulders and kneesSt. Peter's, the Duomo and St. Mark's turn away bare shoulders and knees. Carry a light scarf on hot days.
Expect a cover chargeMany restaurants add a coperto, a cover charge per person, to the bill. It is normal, and tipping beyond it is up to you.
Where to stay for this plan
Three bases: the Centro Storico or Monti in Rome (nights 1 to 3), near the Duomo in Florence (nights 4 to 6), and Cannaregio in Venice (nights 7 to 9).
Map and live prices from Stay22 and its booking partners. TravPa earns a commission if you book; your price stays the same.
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