Italy: Rome, Florence, Venice and beyond
Italy packs ancient ruins, Renaissance art, beaches and great food into a small country. Trains make it easy to cover a lot.
A classic first trip
- Rome: the Colosseum and Roman Forum, the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain and the old center. Give it three days.
- Florence: the Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, and day trips into Tuscany for hills, vineyards and towns like Siena.
- Venice: St. Mark's Square, the canals and quiet backstreets. Walk, and use the public water buses, called vaporetti. The city has had limits and fees for day visitors on some dates, so check before you go.
- Extras: Cinque Terre's coastal villages, the Amalfi Coast and Naples, Lake Como, the Dolomites or Sicily.
When to go
April to early June and September to October have pleasant weather and fewer crowds. July and August are hot and very busy, and many locals take their holiday around mid-August. Winter is quiet, except at ski areas.
Getting around
- High-speed trains connect Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan and Naples. Book early on the official sites for lower fares.
- Regional trains are cheap. If your ticket is paper, validate it in the machine before boarding, or you may be fined.
- Do not drive in city centers. Many have restricted traffic zones with automatic fines.
Book these ahead
The Colosseum, the Vatican Museums, the Uffizi and Michelangelo's David often sell out. Book timed tickets online a few weeks ahead, from the official sites.
Eat well for less
- Stand at the counter for coffee, as locals do. It costs much less than sitting.
- Look for a trattoria or osteria a few streets away from the big sights.
- Lunch menus, bakeries, pizza by the slice and markets give a great meal for little money.
- Some restaurants add a small cover charge per person. It is normal and shown on the menu.
Save on sleeping
Choose a smaller town near a rail line, or a guesthouse or an agriturismo, which is a farm stay. See Book cheaper hotels.
Etiquette and safety
Cover shoulders and knees in churches. Watch for pickpockets in busy places like stations and tourist spots.
Plainly gives general information for everyday decisions. It is not professional medical, legal or financial advice. For personal situations, speak with a qualified professional.