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Europe, Italy, Travel Guides · Last Updated: January 3, 2026

9-Day Italy Itinerary for First-Timers (Venice, Florence & Rome)

This post may contain affiliate links wherein I earn a small commission if you purchase or subscribe to a product from one of my links (at no extra cost to you!). Read my full Privacy Policy here.


If you’re looking for an itinerary as a first-time visitor to Italy, this post outlines a fast-paced way to see three of Italy’s main cities in all their glory – Venice, Florence & Rome!

Italy is a destination that is at the top of nearly everyone’s travel list! Is it a good destination for Europe first-timers? Absolutely! Your first visit to Italy is likely to not only make you fall in love with all Italia has to offer, but with travel in general. As a matter of fact, I like to call visiting Italy a life-changing experience!

There are 20 regions in Italy, so choosing where to go on your first trip can seem like a daunting task. Some travelers like to go a little off the beaten path, while some just want to see the main sights in what we affectionately call “The Big Three” – Venice, Florence and Rome, which is what this itinerary focuses on.

Some may tell you not to attempt all the big cities in one go – and that is sound advice. These three cities are rather spread out, and there is so much to do and see in each of these cities and their surrounds. However, if you have your heart set on seeing these three amazing cities, do not let anyone stop you! It’s definitely doable, provided you allow yourself enough time in each location.

This leads me to a tale of planning my very first trip to Italy for someone other than myself. Two of my closest girlfriends decided to take me on as a “travel consultant” to plan their trip! Since they loved their trip so much (and no, I’m not just tooting my own horn – they legit loved every moment), I decided to put together an Italy itinerary post with all the travel tips I gave to them that made their trip successful so that others could benefit.

You can easily book the individual components of this trip yourselves through the links I’ve provided below!

Who This Itinerary is For:

  • Active travelers (like to be busy every day with some downtime/free time)
  • Independent travelers – mostly (you don’t like traveling with a group the entire time, but will do some group tours and activities)
  • Travelers with no car (this itinerary focuses on public transportation)
  • Those who are experiencing Italy for the first time (or those who want to revisit all the must-see sights!)
  • People who don’t mind reading lengthy itinerary blog posts…like this one…good luck!

Italy – here we come!

*Many photos in this post are contributions from my friends Heather and Nicole, who I hereinafter affectionately dub “the girls.”

Day 1: Arrive in Venice

I started this trip off in Venice since it gave us better flight options at the time (October travel, booked in July) versus flying to Rome first. Depending on the flight schedules at the time you book your dream trip to Italy, you could reverse this itinerary and start in Rome and end in Venice. It’s up to you!

The first day of this itinerary includes arrival in Venice at Marco Polo Airport, likely in the early to late afternoon. If you’re coming from the U.S., I recommend booking flights that layover in Europe versus a layover the U.S. (better chances with delays and weather). For instance, I helped the girls book a flight on Air France out of San Francisco with a layover in Paris.

Another pro tip is to make sure you leave enough time for a layover to get through passport control and to your next gate. Give yourself a minimum of two hours – preferably three.

Note: If you have a layover in a Shengen country, you’ll have your passport stamped there and will not get your passport stamped upon arrival in Italy. I was so bummed when I couldn’t get an Italian passport stamp on our first trip to Italy!

Getting to Venice from the Airport

From the airport, there are several options to get to your hotel in Venice:

  • Option 1: Take the Alilaguna vaporetto (aka Italian waterbus) straight from the airport to the closest dock to your hotel (recommended)
  • Option 2: Take the bus or land taxi to Piazzale Roma. From here, walk rest of the way to hotel, as that’s as far as you can get on wheels. Bus tickets can be purchased at the airport or once on the bus (more info here)
  • Option 3: Book a private water taxi (often very expensive and not worth your money) or a shared transfer. Here are some options you can book through Viator: Venice Airport Transfers. Or, you can haggle with a water taxi operator at the dock at the airport if you’re feeling feisty.

For the girls, I reserved a voucher for them on the Alilaguna as it was the most cost-effective option for their travels. I suggest taking the orange line (Arancio) as it takes you through the Grand Canal, giving you your very first glimpse of this amazingly beautiful city! Of course, this will depend upon your hotel of choice and its location to the vaporetto stops.

If you’re taking the Alilaguna and staying at my hotel recommendation noted below (Hotel Tiziano),the best stop is to get off at Ca’ Rezzonico. From there, you’ll walk to the hotel (about 11 minutes on foot).

Alilaguna Orange Line from Airport to the Ca’ Rezzonico stop

You can book your Alilaguna voucher ahead of time here or book a ticket at the Public Transportation ticket office at the airport. After arrival at the airport and collecting your luggage, go to the ticketing office and exchange your voucher for your ticket (if pre-booked) before making your way to the docks.

Some final words of wisdom: Obviously, the Alilaguna vaporetto is a boat so if you get motion sickness easily, be sure to pack some Dramamine! And, if you’re nervous about where to go at the airport for your Alilaguna ride (or just like to be extra prepared like me), check out this YouTube video that gives you some visual pointers.

Stay 3 Nights at Hotel Tiziano

Address: Calle Rielo Dorsoduro, 1873, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy
https://www.hoteltizianovenezia.it

I chose Hotel Tiziano in the Dorsoduro neighborhood for the girls for a couple of reasons:

  • It fit well into the budget
  • I was happy with the quality of the hotel in terms of reviews, and appearances in photos by actual travelers
  • It’s a little off the beaten path, which means peace and quiet at night

Through my booking, I was able to have daily breakfast included in their room rate. Hotels.com also has deals that include free breakfast, and it comes highly recommended by the girls. They remarked that this was the best hotel breakfast of all the accommodations they had on their trip. I definitely chose wisely!

Enjoy Leisure Time

Once you check into your hotel, the remainder of the afternoon/evening is at your leisure. I suggest finding a nearby spot for cicchetti (Venetian small bites served during aperitivo (happy hour)), maybe a little dinner, and some wandering of the nearby canals. You’ll probably be exhausted from a long day of travel and won’t want to venture off too far!

Some highly-rated suggestions near Hotel Tiziano:

  • Osteria Ca’ Del Vento, Fondamenta de S. Basegio, 1518/A, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy | http://www.osteriacadelvento.it/
  • Osteria Bakan, Corte Maggiore Dorsoduro 2314/A, 30123 Venice, Italy
Ravioli at Osteria Ca’ Del Vento

Day 2: The Best of Venice

Day two is where you really get into the beating heart of Venice! I booked the girls on a group tour that included a gondola ride, along with a guided tour through Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica. The rest of the afternoon was free time to explore the beautiful city at their leisure.

Gondola Ride w/ Guided Tour of St. Mark’s Basilica/Doge’s Palace

The tour started off with a morning gondola ride, which was actually supposed to be a shared ride with up to six people (this was a budget-friendly tour). However, they ended up with the gondola all to themselves! Gondola rides can be pricey (and yes, incredibly touristy), but it’s just something you’ve got to do once in your life. When it’s included in a tour like this, you definitely save a bit of money.

This is the perfect way to explore the charm of the Venetian canals and admire the facades of this unique city up close!

I booked this tour through my travel agency at the time, but you can find a similar tour here on Viator.

Next, they were off to explore St. Mark’s Basilica with its dazzling gold mosaics and masterful artwork by Venetian goldsmiths. This is definitely a symbol of Venice, and not to be missed – religious or not.

Note: shoulders and knees must be covered when entering churches.

Their final stop on the tour was the lavish Doge’s Palace (now a museum), which is an impressive combination of Byzantine, Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Doge’s Palace houses hundreds of different masterpieces from the likes of artists such as Tintoretto, Titian, Veronese and Bellini. There is plenty to marvel at!

Get lost in Venice the rest of the afternoon!

The rest of your day will be free time to wander Venice, getting lost in the tiny streets and alleys of Venice, crossing famous bridges like the Rialto, stopping for a gelato (or two), and sipping on Aperol Spritzes while you people watch.

Some well-rated food suggestions to be on the look out for:

  • Take-away pasta from Dal Moro’s Pasta To Go (Calle Casseleria, 5324, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy) – 3 min walk from St. Mark’s Square | https://www.dalmoros.it/
  • Cichetti/apperitvo at Bacareto de lele (Fondamenta dei Tolentini, 183, 30100 Venezia VE, Italy)
  • Bepe Bigoi Venezia (Campiello dei Meloni, 1472, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy)

Day 3: Day Trip to Venetian Islands

Day three is all about venturing out to explore the Venetian islands with a half-day guided tour to Murano, Burano & Torcello. Murano is famous for glass blowing; Burano for its brightly colored fishing village vibe; and Torcello for its serene atmosphere and history.

You can book this tour for yourself here or you can hop on the vaporetto and cruise around to the islands on your own (tickets can be purchased at each stop around Venice).

Tour Info: Departs at 9:30 a.m.; Duration is 4.5 hours, approximately

Stop 1: Murano

The first stop on the islands tour is Murano, famous for its beautiful glassware shops and factories. You’ll have time to watch a glass blowing demonstration and shop for souvenirs here.

Glass blowing on Murano

Stop 2: Burano

The second stop on the tour will take you to the picturesque fishing village of Burano with its brightly colored buildings and quaint atmosphere. Burano is also famous for its lace, and you’ll have time to browse a few shops or find lace on display at a museum dedicated to the craft.

Stop 3: Torcello

Finally, stop in Torcello for a little piece of serenity and a little lesson on the island’s history.

The remainder of the afternoon will be at your leisure to explore any sights (or eat at any restaurants) in Venice you may have missed. Need some suggestions?

  • Peggy Guggenheim Collection (museum)
  • Gallerie dell’Accademia (museum)
  • Cicchetti/aperitivo at Cantine del Vino gia Schiavi (Fondamenta Nani, 992, 30123 Dorsoduro, Venezia VE, Italy) | http://www.cantinaschiavi.com/

The girls ate at Trattoria Anzolo Raffaele (Campo dell’Angelo Raffaele, Dorsoduro, 1722, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy) on their final night in Venice and had nothing but good things to say about the gnocchi!

Day 4: Train from Venice to Florence

Florence – the birthplace of the Renaissance! If you love Renaissance art and eating good food, Florence is definitely a top spot to visit! As the hub of Tuscany, Florence is between Venice and Rome, making it an easy stop from either jumping off point.

Make your way to the S. Lucia train station in Venice (located at Piazzale Roma) – about a 15-17 minute walk from Hotel Tiziano depending on your pace. Alternatively, you can try to take the water taxi from the S. Basilio dock (7 min walk from hotel).

Business Class on the Frecciarossa!

Treat yo’self and travel in Business Class on the high speed Frecciarossa train to Florence. I love trains in Italy – the Italian train system is very efficient, and very clean! Because it was the girls’ first time to Italy, I really wanted them to feel comfortable, so I booked them in Business Class on one of Italy’s high-speed trains – the Frecciarossa.

Traveling on the Frecciarossa meant that travel time was minimal between Venice and Florence (approximately two hours). You’re supposed to get a welcome drink (like a glass of prosecco, though the prosecco wasn’t offered to the girls so be sure to ask for it).

Business Class on the Frecciarossa – Venice to Florence

If you’re looking for more info on what it’s like to ride the Frecciarossa from Venice to Florence, check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_aU-buTBTw

Booking Train Tickets

You’ll want to be sure to book your Frecciarossa train from the Venice S. Lucia station to the Firenze S. M. Novella station. I highly recommend booking Premium or Business Class as the cost isn’t much more and you get to enjoy spacious seating and the opportunity to book a two-seat configuration across from each other to have more of a private space.

If you’re traveling with large luggage, there will also be a compartment in the premium class train cars for you to store your bags in if they don’t fit overhead or under the seats. Be sure to get to the train early in case space for this fills up! Otherwise, if you plan on traveling in Second Class – pack lightly. I speak from experience that you do not want to be stuck on a train with nowhere to put your big suitcases.

Booking Link: https://www.italiarail.com/frecciarossa

Stay 3 Nights at Pitti Palace al Ponte Vecchio

Address: Borgo S. Jacopo, 3/R, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
Phone: +39 055 239 8711
https://www.florencehotelpittipalacealpontevecchio.com/en/

Pitti Palace al Ponte Vecchio was an easy choice for me in hotel recommendations. It fit within the budget, is very central in Florence (near the Ponte Vecchio Bridge), and is not a bad walk from the train station – maybe about 15 minutes or so, taking you straight through the heart of the city.

A walk from the station is a great time to get acquainted with Florence as you make your way to your hotel! If you have too much luggage to go that far on foot, there’s always taxis at the stand outside of the station.

Ponte Vecchio in Florence

While you’re settling into Florence, I recommend strolling around the city and locating a good aperitivo spot for the evening. There is a great place close to the hotel (and across the street from the Pitti Palace) called Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina (photos below), where you can do wine tasting flights, have some apps, or even enjoy a good dinner!

Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina
Piazza de’ Pitti, 16, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
http://pittigolaecantina.com/

Other options for your first afternoon in Florence:

  • Late lunch at Gustapizza (Via Maggio, 46r, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy) | https://www.facebook.com/GustapizzaFirenze/
  • Walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo to see stunning views of Florence, especially at sunset! (It’s worth the steps, trust me)
  • Aperitivo at The High Bar (the owner Luigi is awesome!) on the way to Piazzale Michelangelo (Via dei Renai, 29n, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy)
  • Gelato for dessert (there are so many amazing gelaterias in Florence)
View of Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo at Night

Day 5: The David & Pizza and Gelato Class

Ready for an epic day exploring Florence?! Book your ticket ahead of time for the Accademia Gallery to get in and see the Statue of David. I unfortunately missed this on my trip to Florence, but the girls said that it was a stunning piece of art to see in person.

You can book your tickets here to reserve your entrance time, or book skip the line tickets here.

The impressive Statue of David at the Accademia Gallery in Florence

After moseying around the museum for a bit, you’ll have a few hours to wander around Florence to explore the many different sights. Florence is really like one big outdoor museum to me.

Between the beautiful architecture and the plethora of statues situated around Piazza della Signoria, there will be no shortage of beautiful things to admire! Florence is also very compact, making it easy to see many things in a short period of time.

What to See/Do in Florence

  • Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore at Piazza del Duomo (seriously my favorite church in Europe – such a beauty with all that pink and green marble!)
  • Piazza della Signoria (pretty much an outdoor statue museum)
  • Ponte Vecchio (you’ll cross this bridge on the way to the Pitti Palace hotel – a unique bridge with shops that span both sides)
  • Uffizi Gallery (this might be difficult if you are short on time, and booking tickets in advance is recommended)
  • Eat! You have to eat all the gelato and pizza you can in Florence. It’s the best!
Santa Maria del Fiore (Florence Cathedral)

Pizza & Gelato Cooking Class

In the afternoon, travel with a tour up to the hills for a pizza and gelato cooking class at a Tuscan farmhouse! The girls said this was one of the highlights of their entire trip to Italy. Now that’s saying something!

Not convinced? Check out the tour link below where you can not only book this exact tour, but also watch a video to get yourself a little more familiar with the experience.

Book the Pizza & Gelato tour here on Viator.

Views of the Tuscan farmhouse garden.
What’s included:
  • Travel by mini bus up into the hills of Florence
  • Tour of the gardens at the farmhouse
  • A fun, hands-on lesson on how to make pizza dough and gelato from very entertaining chefs
  • Top your own pizza with fresh vegetables harvested from the garden before cooking it in the wood-fired pizza oven
  • Enjoy your pizza creation with a glass of wine and a sample of each gelato the class participants have made
  • At the end of the class, you’re presented with a cooking diploma and a copy of the recipes for you to recreate at home

Happy cooking!

Day 6: Chianti Wine Tour in Tuscany

Spend the morning having a leisurely breakfast and exploring some of the sights of Florence that you have yet to see. For more suggestions, check out this post on things to do in Florence.

In the afternoon, make your way to the train station to catch your tour bus for a half-day chianti wine tour in Tuscany! You’ll make your way through the rolling hills of one of the world’s most famous wine regions to visit two wineries for tastings, including stops at the charming towns of Greve and Castellina.

You can book this budget-friendly tour here, or this alternative small group option.

Beautiful views of the Tuscan countryside!

While in Greve, be sure to stop in at Antica Macelleria Falorni for some Chianti and a snack! And don’t forget to soak in all the beautiful views that the Tuscan countryside has to offer.

Day 7: Train from Florence to Rome

Roma – the Eternal City; a city filled with history; the capital of Italy where churches and fountains abound! Visiting this city will keep you very busy, and it’s near impossible to really see everything in one trip! I recommend picking out a few “must-dos” to focus on for your first trip to this sprawling city.

Quick trip to Boboli Gardens first

But first, Boboli! If you haven’t made your way to the gardens in Florence yet, consider spending the morning wandering Boboli Gardens before you take your train to Rome. It’s only €10 per person to get access to the garden and some of the museums inside. It definitely makes a nice peaceful morning activity! If you need convincing, check out my Boboli Gardens Photo Tour.

Frecciarossa to Rome

One of the advantages of traveling between the main cities in Italy is the ability to travel on the high speed trains like the Frecciarossa or Italo. Keeping with the theme of comfort, I booked the girls on Business Class again for their journey down to Rome. Travel time from Florence to Rome is approximately an hour and a half. Not too bad!

From the Pitti Palace al Ponte Vecchio hotel in Florence, make the 15-minute walk back to the S.M. Novella train station for travel to Rome’s Termini station.

Stay 3 Nights at The Guardian

Address: Via Palestro, 13, 00185 Roma RM, Italy
https://www.theguardianhotel.it/

I chose the The Guardian (formerly known as the Smooth Hotel Rome Termini) mostly because of its proximity to the train station, meaning the girls only had about a five-minute walk to the hotel.

This hotel is also a more business-style hotel, meaning it is clean and modern. Near the end of an active trip, I always like to think about being in a comfortable and clean space to start winding down.

Free Time to Explore Rome

Spend the afternoon getting acquainted with this fast-paced city, taking note of some of the sights you may want to come back to later. Some recommendations for things to see on your first day in Rome:

  • Trevi Fountain (especially at night)
  • Spanish Steps
  • Pantheon
  • Piazza Navona
The Magnificent Trevi Fountain in Rome
The ever-crowded Spanish Steps

Restaurants to Try in Rome

  • Pinsere for pizza (closer to hotel), Via Flavia, 98, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
  • Pianostrada (down by the Tiber River) 22, Via delle Zoccolette, 00186 Roma RM, Italy (reservations are recommended)
  • Giulia Restaurant (Lungotevere dei Tebaldi, 4a, 00186 Roma RM, Italy)
    • I wanted to make a special note about Giulia because the girls happened upon this lovely place on their evening walk around Rome and absolutely loved it – everything from the food to the servers to the atmosphere and craft cocktails! This one comes highly recommended (ask for the Boulevardier or the smoked rhubarb negroni!)

Pro Tip: Stay away from restaurants right next to the bigger tourist attractions. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard others complain about horrible food in Rome because they chose to eat in areas that target tourists.

Day 8: The Best of Rome

Did you even go to Rome if you didn’t go to the Colosseum?!

Of course the Colosseum was on the list of must-sees for the girls! I made sure to book tickets ahead of time for them so they wouldn’t have to worry about waiting in line. I’ve heard horror stories about the wait – but also stories about other entrances that you can get tickets at without as much of a wait. Not being to Rome myself (gasp!), I thought it best to plan ahead.

Booking Colosseum Tickets

You can book your tickets for the Colosseum ahead of time on their official website (which truthfully sucks so be patient). There are different packages to choose from, but the most basic just includes entrance to the Colosseum. All ticket options also include entrance to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. There are also options to have a guided tour included, an audio guide, or even access to different parts of the Colosseum that don’t come included with your basic ticket.

Once you decide on a ticket to purchase, you’ll be taken to a page where you can choose your desired entrance time, which will show a count of how many tickets are left for that time slot. Some sample ticket prices would be €18 for the basic entry ticket, or entry with a guide for €24.

Booking your ticket ahead of time online means you will go straight through to the security line when you get to the Colosseum, avoiding any of the ticket lines.

Alternatively, you can book a small group tour that takes all the stress away from booking your own tickets like this one or this one.

The Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

As mentioned above, entry to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are also included with your Colosseum entry ticket, so make sure you plan enough time here to wander around all three attractions!

Palatine Hill Ruins

Free Afternoon to Explore Roma

The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure to relax and enjoy some delicious Italian food or keep the momentum going and explore some of the other main sights in Rome that you have yet to see.

Day 9: Vatican Tour

On the last day in Rome, you’ll visit Vatican City – the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, and home to The Pope and an array of truly impressive art and architecture. For this visit, I was sure to book an early morning tour for the girls so they could get early access to everything with less crowds.

Early Access Small Group Tour

The girls were booked with an 8:10 a.m. departure time that included skip-the-line access with a small group tour that visited The Vatican museums of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel.

Being able to see the masterful artworks of Raphael and Michelangelo in person is such a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience! The group on this tour is limited to 12 participants, making sure that you’ll always be able to see and hear your guide along the way.

Pro Tip: If you can, I always recommend doing the small group tours, even if they cost a little more! The overall experience is definitely worth it.

important notes about this tour:
  • If you aren’t staying in a nearby hotel, I recommend taking a taxi to the Vatican for your early morning departure to ensure that you make the tour on time (be sure to arrive 15 minutes early).
  • Do not bring any large purses, bags, or backpacks on this tour as they are not allowed.
  • As with all churches in Italy, make sure shoulders and knees are covered (this goes for both men and women).
  • Lastly, when booking this tour, please take note of the fine print before booking the tour in terms of restrictions on opening hours and best days to go.

Once you’ve had your fill of all the Vatican has to offer, I recommend spending your final moments in Rome wandering through the beautiful Trastevere neighborhood. From the Vatican City area, Trastevere is about 45 minutes walking distance, or you can always take a taxi of course.

Restaurant Recommendations

  • Bar San Calisto for cheap drinks Piazza di S. Calisto, 3, 00153 Roma RM, Italy
  • Prosciutteria Trastevere – Cantina dei Papi for meat and cheese boards with a glass of wine (Via della Scala, 71, 00153 Roma RM, Italy) https://www.cantinadeipapi.com/
  • La Botticella if you can score an outdoor table (Vicolo del Leopardo, 39/a, 00153 Roma RM, Italy)
  • Rimessa Roscioli for wine and buffalo cheese tasting (Via del Conservatorio, 58, 00186 Roma RM, Italy) https://www.winetastingrome.com/
  • Pasta dish you must try in Rome: cacio e pepe!

The girls were able to try both the Prosciutteria noted above (which they said was amazing!), as well as La Botticella, which they said served their most favorite meal in Rome (and where they got to try the famous cacio e pepe).

Prosciutteria Trastevere – Cantina dei Papi

Overall Rome Impressions/Observations

Remember that Rome is a big city, so you’re likely to experience high volumes of crowds everywhere you go, and yes, there’s going to be a lot more trash on the streets (as the girls so observed). I chose not to go to Rome on my first trip to Italy simply because I wanted to experience more of the small town charm that Italy had to offer. That being said, I know I’ll make it to Rome one day and live the experience myself!

book more italy activities with get your guide!

The end! Well, almost…

Whew! Take a breather. If you’ve made it this far, congratulations! You are now ready to plan your very first trip to Italy. And, if you’ve been to Italy before, maybe you got some new ideas?

Before I sign off, here are some basic things to know about travel to Italy that pertain to this itinerary.

Italy FYI’s

  • Florence is called “Firenze” in Italian
  • Venice is called “Venezia” in Italian
  • Rome is called “Roma” in Italian
  • Most restaurants will charge a small cover fee (a coperto), which usually amounts to a few Euros per bill.
  • Your hotels will charge a small nightly tax payable upon checkout.
  • Tipping is not necessary unless you feel the need to add a few extra euros if your servers do a great job (this is what the coperto is for)
  • Water is only served in bottles – there is no tap water! You’ll have a choice of either naturale (still water) or frizzante (sparkling) and yes, you’ll likely have to pay for this
  • Taxis have to be caught at a taxi stand – no hailing from the street! Choose the first in line. Italian taxis can be very expensive, so watch that meter! I also noticed that some charge an extra fee if you have big luggage to haul.
  • Breakfast (continental) is generally included at many hotels and is usually quite good. Definitely take advantage of these and always try the cappuccinos!
  • Shoulders and knees need to be covered when entering churches, as I mentioned above a couple of times. This stands for both men and women.

Italy is such an amazing country to visit, no matter what cities or towns you choose to see on your first or even 20th trip. This country stole my heart; it stole the heart of my two dear friends; and I hope Italy steals your heart.

I’d love to hear from you if you’ve ever been to Italy – specifically Venice, Florence, or Rome, to see what you’d do differently or if you have anything you would add! And of course, if you have any further questions about details of this trip, feel free to comment below!

Ciao!

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Comments

  1. Cathy says

    November 18, 2023 at 9:19 am

    Planning first trip to Italy and found this post super helpful! Just curious what your friends’ budget was for this itinerary (ballpark figure). Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • Moani Hood says

      November 18, 2023 at 9:44 am

      Hi Cathy! So glad you found my post helpful. If I remember correctly, I think their budget was around $3,000 – $3,500 per person for this trip, not including a budget for food/drink while traveling.

      Reply
  2. Diane says

    April 12, 2023 at 2:21 pm

    Wonderful post! We’re going in June but doing the cities in reverse order (2 weeks starting with Rome, train to Florence, train to Venice). So looking forward to this first time trip to Italy for 2 couples…tours and experiences are all booked and following your suggestions, I think we chose well! Thanks!

    Reply
    • Moani Hood says

      April 12, 2023 at 2:32 pm

      That’s wonderful Diane! I’m glad you found my post helpful. You are going to absolutely love Italy. I’d love to hear your feedback on the tours once you return!

      Reply

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About Me
Hello world! I'm Moani - a food, wine & beer-loving traveler based in the Bay Area of California. I created this space to share my love of traveling to new and amazing places, eating the most delicious foods, and taking in a good drink or two. My goal in life is to inspire others to set out on their own travel adventures and see the world in all its splendor!

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🇮🇸 Day 4 in Iceland of a one-week Iceland itinerar 🇮🇸 Day 4 in Iceland of a one-week Iceland itinerary

Headed out to explore the beautiful South Coast (and officially obsessed with Icelandic sheep)!

Highlights:

• Breakfast at Braud & Co.
• Road trip to the South Coast
• Learned about Skyr at Skyrland in Selfoss
• Lunch at the Old Dairy Food Hall in Selfoss
• Seljalandsfoss
• Skogafoss
• Icelandic sheep!
• Lava Show in Vik
• Dinner at The Soup Company in Vik
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#icelanditinerary | South Coast Iceland itinerary | Iceland road trip ideas | South Coast Iceland from Reykjavik | best things to do in Iceland | what to do on Iceland's South Coast | Iceland itinerary ideas | Iceland travel
Everything I ate and drank in Iceland - Part 2! I Everything I ate and drank in Iceland - Part 2!

I ate so many different things in Iceland, I needed to break it up in three parts 😂

Iceland has such a varied food scene, from international dishes to Icelandic specialties like plokkfiskur (kind of like a fish pie/casserole), which was absolutely delicious.

And those cinnamon rolls...I am still dreaming about them!
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What to eat in Iceland | Icelandic food | food to try in Iceland | Iceland food vlog
Day 3 in Iceland! 🇮🇸 Our third day in Iceland was Day 3 in Iceland! 🇮🇸

Our third day in Iceland was a day trip to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula - aka "Iceland in Miniature." It was very windy and cold here but much less busy than the routes of the South Coast! We saw such a variety of landscapes on the peninsula, though I wish we would have had a little bit more daylight to add more stops.

Back in Reykjavik for the evening, we had dinner and then went on a successful Northern Lights chase!

It was a long day but awesome!
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Iceland itinerary | Snaefellsnes day trip from Reykjavik | Snaefellsnes itinerary | Iceland road trip | Iceland travel | Iceland travel tips
🇮🇸 Everything I ate and drank in Iceland - Part 1! 🇮🇸 Everything I ate and drank in Iceland - Part 1!
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Best things to eat in Iceland | what to eat in Iceland | where to eat in Reykjavik | Icelandic food | Icelandic cuisine | Iceland travel tips | Iceland trip ideas
Year #42 In honor of my birthday today, here's a Year #42

In honor of my birthday today, here's a little something silly: my foodie version of the "Unfortunately, I do love" trend (in typical late-to-the-party fashion). In case you were wondering anything about my food habits, here's some insight!

In all seriousness, this last year was nothing short of epic. I used to be afraid of entering this decade of life, but each year continues to give and for that, I'm thankful.

Onward, ho!

Also, let me know if you share any of my quirky food habits 😉
🇮🇸 Day 2 in Iceland of a one-week Iceland itinerar 🇮🇸 Day 2 in Iceland of a one-week Iceland itinerary!

Our second day was all about exploring Iceland's capital city - Reykjavik! This is such a chill city that's worth exploring, especially for the food scene. I see a lot of people hit the ground running with their road trips right away, but I think easing into things with Reykjavik for a day was a good idea for us.

Here's everything we did on our second day in Iceland:

- Took the most incredible food tour with @reykjavikfoodwalk. My favorite things we ate were the fried lobster tacos and seafood soup at @sjavargrillid!

- We did try the notorious fermented shark (it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be) and a shot of Black Death (the original Brennivin aquavit) which wasn't bad either.

- Explored more of Reykjavik, including more mural spotting and hitting up happy hour spots and spending all our money on cocktails and beer (Iceland is pricey!).

- We visited a Big Lebowski-themed bar @lebowskibar! I love me a good themed restaurant or bar. I had my very first White Russian here and it was actually quite good.

- We had to stop by BrewDog Reykjavik which sadly closed permanently later in the week. We visit one wherever we travel to that has one for nostalgia purposes (and their beer is pretty good).

- Our night ended at the Posthus Food Hall (recommended by our food tour guide), where we had a lamb birria burrito and some bulgogi buns.

If you don't know, I am sort of a burrito addict - it's my favorite food. I will try one in any country I see one - good or bad (this one was actually really delicious!).

What do you think about spending a day in Reykjavik before venturing out to see all the nature sights?
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Iceland itinerary ideas | one week in Iceland | Iceland travel | best things to do in Iceland | best things to do in Reykjavik | Iceland travel tips | visit Iceland | Iceland explore | Reykjavik food tour
#iceland #icelandtrip #icelandtravel #icelandexplore #visiticeland #visitreykjavik #reykjavik
Icelandic Lamb Hotdogs 🌭 Lamb is a big part of Ic Icelandic Lamb Hotdogs 🌭

Lamb is a big part of Iceland's food culture! You have to try at least one lamb hotdog when you visit. We had our first one at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur in Downtown Reykjavik while on our food tour with @reykjavikfood and I think they're a great, affordable snack!

Would you travel to Iceland to eat hotdogs?

📍@baejarinsbeztupylsur

#iceland #icelandicfood #icelandichotdog #icelandtravel
best things to eat in Iceland | what to eat in Iceland | best places to eat in Reykjavik
🇮🇸 Day 1 in Iceland of a one-week Iceland itinerar 🇮🇸 Day 1 in Iceland of a one-week Iceland itinerary!

Curious about what to do on the day you land in Iceland? Here's what we did!

- Arrived to KEF airport around 9:30 a.m., hit up the duty free shop for some Brennivín, and picked up our rental car
- Stopped at @kokulistbakari for pastries to hold us over for a bit (amazing btw)
- Soaked in the Blue Lagoon (since it's not too far from the airport). It's relaxing but also helps keep you awake.
- Checked into our hotel @canopyreykjavik 
- Went to happy hour at @bastard_reykjavik (the pretzel and cheese is a must!)
- Walked around the city to keep us awake and hit famous spots like the Skólavörðustígur rainbow road, Hallgrímskirkja church, and the Sun Voyager
- Had a nice dinner at @fiskfelagid 

Not a bad start!
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Iceland itinerary ideas | one week in Iceland | Iceland travel | best things to do in Iceland | best things to do in Reykjavik | Iceland travel tips | visit Iceland | Iceland explore
#iceland #icelandtrip #icelandtravel #icelandexplore #visiticeland #visitreykjavik #reykjavik
A moment for one of the best meals we had in Icela A moment for one of the best meals we had in Iceland at @fiskfelagid in Reykjavik!

This dinner was entirely seafood based; however, they do have some meat options on the menu if you aren't into things of the sea.

The ambiance in the restaurant was dark and cozy - perfect for an intimate dinner. Service = impeccable. Presentation of all of the dishes was perfection. Sauces were rich in flavor. Everything was so well done!

I had never had arctic char before, and that's the dish that drew me in. The fish was super delicate and smoky - really unique and incredibly tasty. My favorite dish, however, turned out to be the fishcakes! In fact, it's one of the top things we ate during our week in Iceland.

Highly, highly recommend putting this on your Iceland foodie bucket list!
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where to eat in Reykjavik | best restaurants in Reykjavik | arctic char in Iceland | where to eat in Iceland | best restaurants in Iceland | Iceland travel tips | Iceland food guide | Iceland restaurants | Reykjavik restaurants
#visiticeland #icelandexplored #iceland #icelandrestaurants #icelandicfood #icelandtravel #icelandtrip
📍 Hotel Kria in Vik, Iceland Not a bad view to w 📍 Hotel Kria in Vik, Iceland 

Not a bad view to wake up to each morning ♥️

@hotelkria
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South Coast Iceland | where to stay in Vik Iceland | hotels in Vik Iceland | South Coast Iceland road trip | Iceland road trip | Best places to stay in Iceland | Iceland hotels
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