June, 2014
somewherenice.blog
One Week in Italy: The Ultimate Travel Itinerary
If you have just one week to experience Italy, you can make the most of your time by visiting Venice, Florence and Rome. In Venice, you can explore its famed canals and wander through the narrow alleys. Then, head to Florence and experience its breathtaking architecture, with highlights like the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio. Spend several days in Rome, visiting iconic sights such as the Colosseum, Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain. As a bonus, you can visit San Marino, an ancient fortress-state situated on the slopes of Mount Titano. If you’re an art enthusiast, a history buff, or just looking for a wonderful vacation, this one-week itinerary offers must-see of Italy.
Highlights
Venice
Venice is a beautiful and unique city with an array of things to do and see. The famous Grand Canal provides an opportunity to take in the majestic beauty of the city and the lively energy of the waterfront. Main attractions include the Bridge of Sighs, Doge's Palace, and St. Mark's Square. From the iconic gondola rides through the canals to exploring the Rialto Market and St. Mark's Basilica, you can explore must-sees in a day. With so much to see and do, Venice in a day is a perfect way to get a taste of this timeless and enchanting city.
Florence and Siena
Continue your journey in Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, and marvel at iconic sites like the Ponte Vecchio and the Duomo. Explore the galleries of the Uffizi, stroll through the streets of Oltrarno, and sample local specialties in the Central Market. Next day, make your way to Siena and visit its famous Piazza del Campo, home of the Palio horse race. Admire the beauty of Siena's cathedral, sample its cuisine in a local trattoria, and discover the hidden gems of its cobbled streets.
Rome
In only three days in Rome you can make the most of your time by visiting the Colosseum, St. Peter's Basilica, and the Pantheon. The Colosseum is one of the most iconic sights in Rome, and you'll have the opportunity to take in the sights of ancient Rome. St. Peter's Basilica is one of the most iconic religious sites in the world, and the Pantheon is a great example of Roman architecture. All three sites provide a glimpse into the history and culture of Rome, so make sure you take advantage of your limited time and see them all.
San Marino
Spend a day in the picturesque microstate of San Marino and explore its breathtaking natural scenery, captivating cultural history, and delicious local cuisine. Take a hike up to the top of Mount Titano and marvel at the spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. Then, discover the unique culture of San Marino as you wander the narrow cobblestone streets of the old city and explore the many monuments and buildings.
Tricks and tips
Cheap flights and beaches
Sometimes you can find cheap flights not to major cities, but to beach resorts. In my case, direct charter flight from my hometown to Rimini was better than getting to capital first and flying to Italy from there. As a bonus, you get to see nearby attractions like San Marino or can extend your trip by another week relaxing on a beach.
Budget stays and delicious cuisine
Touristic places can be really expensive, but, thankfully, Italy has good transport. You can stay in small towns nearby in much more comfortable hotels and rentals and easily get to city center. Incidentally, those places also happened to have much greater food for locals than popular touristic spots.
Train or bus? Views of Tuscany
You can move between major cities on trains (faster) or buses (cheaper). Either way you will have comfortable trip with fantastic views from the window. Prices for intercity trains can differ gradually depending on time of departure and how far in advance the purchase is made. Although prices for regional trains are fixed, you might want to purchase your tickets in advance too as there might be no tickets left last minute.
Itinerary
Arrival (Day 0)
Your plane just landed in whatever resort town you've chosen. Make sure to have some spare time for possible delays. Get a good sleep in local budget hotel, there's a week of adventures ahead.
Day 1: Venice
Get on your train/bus to Venice first thing in the morning. The city is extremely expensive, but there is no need to stay there if you have only one day. After an eventful day, move to your next destination.
Days 2-3: Florence, Siena, Pisa
Whether you've decided to stay in Florence or nearby town, you can easily move around on local transport. Spend time in Florence, visit Siena or, if you prefer, Pisa.
Days 4-6: Rome, Vatican, Naples
Enjoy views of Tuscana on your way to Rome. The city is really big and you'll definitely find a place to fit your taste and budget there. If you want to see more, take a day trip to Naples, it's just an hour away.
Day 7: Bonus destination: San Marino
Time to get back to your town of arrival/departure. Take a chance to stop by in another beautiful place on your way there. For me, in different trips it was San Marino, Verona or Milan.
--- Extra time on the beach ---
You can choose to prolong your stay and take a few extra days for recharge in your town of departure or nearby.
Departure (Day 7/∞)
Fly back home from the same town where you arrived.
Final thoughts
Who is this itinerary for
It is a good introductory route to Italy as it includes all must-sees. It is an active adventure and doesn't suit those who want to spend whole holiday on the beach.
What would I've done differently
Each city is so unique and different that order in this trip doesn't really matter, you can bend it to logistical convenience depending on your town of arrival. Personally, I felt like extra week on the beach was unnecessary.
Overall impression
It was a great beginner-level adventure, absolutely stress-free. Each destination in this route is worth eternity for exploration, you won't have a boring minute in this tour. I would gladly repeat this trip any number of times.
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