10-Day Itinerary for Italy

Morning (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Arrive at the Colosseum early (pre-book skip-the-line tickets). Take a guided tour (2 hours). Explore the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill (2 hours). Don't miss: Temple of Julius Caesar, House of Augustus, and panoramic views.

Lunch (12:30 PM - 2:00 PM): Enjoy lunch at "Li Rioni" near the Colosseum. Try authentic Roman pizza or pasta carbonara.

Afternoon (2:30 PM - 6:00 PM): Visit the Pantheon (1 hour). Stroll through Piazza Navona to admire Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers (30 minutes). Explore Campo de' Fiori market (45 minutes). Visit the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain (1 hour).

Evening (7:00 PM onward): Dinner at "Trattoria Da Danilo" in the Esquilino neighborhood. Try Cacio e Pepe and Saltimbocca alla Romana. Evening stroll around illuminated monuments.

Morning (7:30 AM - 1:00 PM): Early access to Vatican Museums (pre-book tickets for 8:00 AM entry). Explore the Vatican Museums including Raphael Rooms (2 hours). Sistine Chapel (45 minutes). St. Peter's Basilica and dome climb for panoramic views (1.5 hours).

Lunch (1:30 PM - 3:00 PM): Lunch at "Pizzarium Bonci" for gourmet pizza by the slice or "Sciascia Caffè" for excellent coffee and sandwiches.

Afternoon (3:30 PM - 6:30 PM): Visit Castel Sant'Angelo and walk along the Tiber River (1.5 hours). Explore the bohemian Trastevere neighborhood (2 hours). Visit the Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere.

Evening (7:00 PM onward): Dinner at "Da Enzo al 29" in Trastevere. Try Roman Jewish cuisine like carciofi alla giudia (Jewish-style artichokes). Optional night tour of illuminated Rome.

Morning (7:00 AM - 11:00 AM): Early high-speed train from Roma Termini to Firenze Santa Maria Novella (1.5 hours). Check into hotel. Visit Florence Cathedral complex with pre-booked tickets (2 hours). Climb Brunelleschi's Dome and Giotto's Campanile. Admire the Baptistery's "Gates of Paradise".

Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:30 PM): Try a traditional Florentine sandwich at "All'Antico Vinaio" or enjoy lunch with a view at "La Terrazza".

Afternoon (2:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Timed entry to the Uffizi Gallery (3 hours). Must-see works: Botticelli's "Birth of Venus" and "Primavera," da Vinci's "Annunciation," Michelangelo's "Doni Tondo". Visit Palazzo Vecchio and explore Piazza della Signoria (1 hour).

Evening (7:00 PM onward): Aperitivo at "Rivoire" in Piazza della Signoria. Dinner at "Trattoria Sostanza" for Florentine specialties like Bistecca alla Fiorentina and ribollita soup.

Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Cross the Ponte Vecchio and explore historic goldsmiths' shops (45 minutes). Stroll along the Arno River to Piazzale Michelangelo for panoramic views (1 hour). Visit San Miniato al Monte church (45 minutes).

Lunch (12:30 PM - 2:00 PM): Lunch at "Osteria Santo Spirito" in the Oltrarno district. Try pappardelle al cinghiale (wild boar pasta).

Afternoon (2:30 PM - 6:00 PM): Visit the Pitti Palace to explore the Palatine Gallery (1.5 hours). Wander through the terraced Boboli Gardens (1.5 hours). Visit the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo's David (1 hour).

Evening (7:00 PM onward): Dinner at "Il Latini" for traditional Tuscan cuisine. Try ribollita, pappa al pomodoro, cantucci with vin santo. Evening walk around the illuminated historic center.

Morning (7:00 AM - 11:30 AM): Early train from Florence to Venice Santa Lucia (2 hours). Take vaporetto (water bus) to your hotel. First glimpse of the Grand Canal from the Rialto Bridge (30 minutes). Make your way to St. Mark's Square (30 minutes).

Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:30 PM): Lunch at "Osteria Al Squero" with cicchetti (Venetian tapas) and Prosecco. Try baccalà mantecato (creamed cod) on toast.

Afternoon (2:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Visit St. Mark's Basilica (1 hour) - pre-book to skip lines. Tour the Doge's Palace and cross the Bridge of Sighs (2 hours). Visit the Campanile di San Marco for panoramic views (30 minutes).

Evening (6:30 PM onward): Take a sunset gondola ride along the quieter canals (1 hour). Dinner at "Osteria alle Testiere". Try fresh seafood specialties like spaghetti alle vongole and frittura mista.

Morning (8:30 AM - 12:30 PM): Take a vaporetto to Murano Island (30 minutes). Visit a traditional glass-blowing workshop and demonstration (1 hour). Explore the Murano Glass Museum (1 hour). Browse local glass shops for authentic souvenirs.

Lunch (1:00 PM - 2:30 PM): Lunch at "Da Romano" on Burano Island. Try their famous risotto di gò (goby fish risotto).

Afternoon (2:30 PM - 6:30 PM): Explore colorful Burano Island and its leaning bell tower (1 hour). Visit the Burano Lace Museum and watch lace-making demonstrations (1 hour). Optional visit to Torcello Island to see its ancient cathedral (1.5 hours).

Evening (7:00 PM onward): Return to Venice. Dinner at "Antiche Carampane" in the San Polo district. Evening stroll along quiet canalside paths away from the crowds.

Morning (7:00 AM - 12:30 PM): Early train from Venice to La Spezia, then connect to Cinque Terre (4-5 hours total). Check into accommodations in Monterosso. Orientation walk around your base village (1 hour).

Lunch (1:00 PM - 2:30 PM): Lunch at "Il Pirata delle Cinque Terre" in Vernazza. Try local anchovies and pesto alla Genovese.

Afternoon (3:00 PM - 7:00 PM): Begin hiking the scenic Blue Trail between villages: Monterosso to Vernazza (2 hours, moderate difficulty), Vernazza to Corniglia (1.5 hours, moderate difficulty). Catch the train back to your base village.

Evening (7:30 PM onward): Seafood dinner at "Miky" in Monterosso. Try the local white wine from the terraced vineyards. Evening passeggiata along the waterfront.

Morning (9:00 AM - 12:30 PM): Take the train to Riomaggiore (the southernmost village). Explore its colorful harbor and main street (1 hour). Walk the Via dell"Amore if open, or take the train to Manarola (30 minutes). Explore Manarola"s vineyards and famous viewpoint (1 hour).

Lunch (1:00 PM - 2:30 PM): Lunch at "Nessun Dorma" in Manarola with spectacular views. Try local focaccia and seafood antipasti.

Afternoon (3:00 PM - 6:30 PM): Train to Corniglia, climb the 382 steps to the village center. Explore its narrow streets and terraced vineyards (1.5 hours). Take the train to Monterosso for beach time if weather permits (2 hours).

Evening (7:00 PM onward): Sunset aperitivo at a waterfront bar. Dinner at "L"Ancora della Tortuga" in Monterosso. Recommended: seafood risotto and local Sciacchetrà dessert wine.

Morning (7:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Early train from La Spezia to Naples, then private transfer or bus to Positano (6-7 hours total). Check into your Positano accommodation. First views of the dramatic Amalfi Coast.

Lunch (1:30 PM - 3:00 PM): Lunch at "Da Vincenzo" in Positano. Try scialatielli ai frutti di mare (seafood pasta).

Afternoon (3:30 PM - 7:00 PM): Explore Positano"s steep, narrow streets and colorful buildings (1.5 hours). Visit the Church of Santa Maria Assunta with its majolica-tiled dome (30 minutes). Relax on Spiaggia Grande beach or take a boat tour along the coast (2 hours).

Evening (7:30 PM onward): Dinner at "La Sponda" at Le Sirenuse hotel (reserve well in advance) or "Next2" for excellent modern Italian cuisine. Evening walk along the illuminated coastal path.

Morning (8:30 AM - 12:00 PM): Take the bus to the town of Amalfi (30-45 minutes). Visit the stunning Amalfi Cathedral and its "Paradise Cloister" (1 hour). Explore the narrow streets and shops of Amalfi town (1 hour). Visit the Paper Museum to learn about Amalfi"s famous handmade paper (45 minutes).

Lunch (12:30 PM - 2:00 PM): Lunch at "Da Gemma"with a terrace overlooking Amalfi. Try local seafood and lemon-infused dishes.

Afternoon (2:30 PM - 6:30 PM): Option 1: Private transfer to Pompeii to explore the archaeological site (3-4 hours). Option 2: Hike the Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei) from Bomerano to Nocelle (3 hours, spectacular views).

Evening (7:30 PM onward): Farewell dinner at "La Tagliata" in the hills above Positano. Enjoy farm-to-table cuisine with panoramic coastal views. Toast your Italian adventure with limoncello made from local Amalfi lemons.