From the great pillars of Rome to the vibrant and luxurious Amalfi Coast, you're in for a wild (yet beautiful) ride!
After wrapping up on set for my temp job in Barcelona, I was ready to head home. But not before experiencing an Italian summer!
Italy had always been at the top of my bucket list. The history, art, and diverse landscapes of the country definitely made it a top priority for me! And since I was already in Europe and a 1-hour flight away, why not? With a week to spare before my flight back to the United States, I sat myself down and mapped out the best course of action for taking on as many Italian cities as possible.
Don't get me wrong, I knew I wouldn't be able to see everything. Northern Italy alone would take at least a week to experience fully, and after looking at pictures of the Tuscan countryside, I knew I'd have to come back and have a week-long retreat there as well. So, I settled for the best of multiple worlds -- wineries, ruins, and beaches. I'll be saving most of northern Italy and the epic Dolomites for another trip.
So over the course of 8 days I've got a breakdown of how to traverse the country while hitting up popular sites as well as some off the beaten path treasures. It can be difficult to plan out a multi-city itinerary (and I offer these services on my website), but I must say that I'm pretty proud of how this trip turned out!
And now, without further ado...
DAYS 1-3: Florence and the Tuscan Countryside
I decided to start my Italy trip from north to south. I knew I really wanted to visit the countryside of Italy, and the Tuscan capital of Florence would allow me to do that whilst also staying in a major city!
Florence is a terrific spot for art and culture in a more laid back environment than you might see in Rome or Milan.
DAY 1: MUSEUMS & PIAZZAS
I arrived in Florence via plane (Vueling had great prices from Spain to Italy) around 10am. I took the train from the airport into the center of the city. It was super easy getting around on the train -- purchasing tickets (1.60 euros) was a breeze and with Google Maps, the directions were very clear.
Once in the city center, I got my bearing of the area by walking the last 20 minutes to my hotel. I always try to travel light, so having just a carry-on made it very comfortable to walk the rest of the way! I stayed at Forte16, a boutique hotel minutes away from popular museums like Galleria d'ell Accademia. The hotel touts a spa, bike rentals, and spacious suites. They also offer a buy two nights get one free deal, which includes one hour in their private rooftop Jacuzzi, one-day bike rental, and bottle of Prosecco! We do love to see it.
After settling in, I took advantage of the free bike rental and began my first day in Florence:
Galleria d'ell Accademia and Michelangelo's "David" is a must-see! There are no words to accurately describe what it's like seeing the huge David statue in person. I didn't spend too long here (maybe 45 mins to an hour) but I highly recommend it. There is a great gelato spot near here as well, as you walk directly down the street from the Galleria towards the Duomo...
So that's how I ended up at Piazza del Duomo to see the epic church and chapel. This is one of the most famous spots in Florence, and for good reason - the architecture is simply breathtaking. Even if you decide not to purchase tickets to go into the Duomo, walking around the perimeter of the facade is just as amazing of an experience.
For lunch, I biked to Piazza della Signoria. There are tons of cheap panini and pizza stands all around Florence, and I grabbed a quick bite and took it over to the Piazza to people-watch. It's a beautiful area, right by Uffizi Gallery, another must-see museum. Don't miss the "David" replica or Neptune's Fountain in the plaza, and dance along (or watch others dace) to the French and Italian music playing through speakers across the square!
To round off the day, I biked down the river to Ponte Vecchio. I'd argue it is the most picturesque spot in all of Florence. The multi-colored pasted buildings sitting above the water are like something out of a fairytale. Grab a gelato or limonata from a nearby cafe and join the people sitting on the bridge overlooking the water. I arrived just as the sun was setting!
DAY 2: TUSCANY DAY TRIP
Late start to the day because a friend of mine and I shared both our bottles of Prosecco (lol). So we had to book it for the 45 minute walk to our meeting spot for our Tuscany day trip. Now, I don't usually pay for tours, but since we were short on time, I gave in and booked a Tuscany Day Trip through Get Your Guide for 100 euros.
If you have ample time and are comfortable with Florence's regional train system, I recommend doing a day trip yourself! Trains are cheap, and are usually scheduled to run until around 10pm, so keep this in mind when planning your day.
We ended up with the company Fun In Tuscany, and we both really enjoyed it! We chose the option for the vespa ride, and watching the lush countryside whiz by as I clung to my scooter for dear life was both exhilarating and terrifying. Here are the places we hit up:
The tour included wine tasting at three different locations in the chianti region. When planning a tour of Tuscany, I highly recommend this region for the best wines. Tuscany is a lot bigger than it looks, so sticking to one region for a day trip is your best bet.
Next, we scooted on over to San Gimighano, the oldest medieval city in Tuscany and home to the World Champion gelato stand, Gelateria Dondoli. I highly recommend the pistachio flavor! Walk through the many stone corridors and along the edges of the city for a killer view over the countryside.
We ended the tour with a final wine tasting and traditional Tuscan lunch at Azienda Agricola Casa Emma. Their vineyard is beautiful, and the family that owns it were very kind and accommodating. We were presented with 6 wines and a three course meal of vegetable soup, homemade lasagna, and a dessert of meats and cheeses! They even gave us a bottle of strawberry flavored Prosecco to pop open "the Italian way" - with a sword!
DAY 3: SUNRISES AND SHOPPING
This was our final day in Florence, with a train leaving for Rome in the late afternoon, so we didn't have too much planned.
The goal for today was to grab souvenirs and do any last-minute exploring of the city's main area around Piazza del Duomo.
We started the day early -- at 5am. I am not a morning person. But boy was it worth it! We hiked up to Piazale Michellangelo to catch the sunrise. This is the highest point in the city, and you can see the entirety of Florence from this vantage point. There weren't many people there at all, as it is usually more popular during sunset, so we had the entire stone wall lookout point for ourselves! It's a bit of a hike to the top, though, so bring good walking shoes.
Next, we got breakfast at Rooster Cafe Firenze, not your spot for a traditional Italian breakfast, but a terrific spot if you're crazing American-style pancakes, omelets and bacon! It's not far at all from Piazza dell Duomo and great shopping spots like...
Via de' Tornabuoni. I wasn't about to leave Florence without purchasing a real leather purse as a souvenir. This street has all the top designer shops that can cost a pretty penny, but wandering further away from the touristy areas, you'll hit more decently-priced wares. I checked out 5 different leather goods stores before scoring a gorgeous navy blue and brown leather handbag for 45 euros. More than I'd ever thought I'd pay for a purse, but for real leather? From Italy? Worth it.
Around 4pm, we headed back to the train station near Florence's airport to catch out bus to Rome. I rode with Flix Bus, and it was about a 3 hour trip for 20 euros.
DAYS 4-6: Rome
Okay. We packed a lot into these three days. So get ready for some walking! No need to worry about using a train or bus here. As long as you're staying somewhere central, everything in Rome is within walking distance aside from the Vatican. For that, I recommend either FREENOW or taking the tram. Avoid taxis, as Italian taxi drivers are known for over-charging.
Rome is a city filled to the brim with history, and is one of the most popular cities in Italy. It can get crowded, especially during the summer, so if you want to miss the crowds, try traveling between late January through May.
DAY 1: RUINS & PASTA
We arrived in Rome from Florence late at night, so after checking into Hotel Napoleon, we went right to bed. The next morning, we took advantage of the hotels included breakfast in the lounge. They had a gorgeous piano in there, so you know ya girl had to show off her skills! It was awkward tho because some of the guests thought I was hired to play and they tried to give me money.
Piazza Venezia was our first stop. The piazza is the central hub of Rome, with panoramic views of the Colosseum down one street, as well as views of some pretty cool ruins. Like, very good views, meaning you won't even have to pay to go inside unless you really want too, LOL. We checked out the Imperial Palace here as well.
Next, we made our way to the Colosseum. It's breathtaking. Rome has also just opened up the monument's underground area, which is another must-see. I purchased tickets through Headout, and they included the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill for 20 euros. We stopped by a cafe for iced coffee right across from the Colosseum.
The Roman Forum is steps away from the Colosseum. Wandering through these ruins is like stepping back in time. Palatine Hill is connected to the Forum, so simply hike up to get to the hill for a beautiful view over the ruins complete with a view of the Colosseum in the distance.
We ended the day with dinner at Osteria da Fortunata, in a very hip neighborhood surrounded by bars and live music. You can watch them make the pasta from scratch right in front of you! Highly recommend the house wine and Pasta Bolognese.
DAY 2: GALLERIES & SHOPPING
Day two of our Rome trip was a great break from yesterday's walking and enduring the Italian heat. I wanted to experience the more luxurious side of Rome, meaning lots of window shopping and getting to wear my scarf, fancy blouse and cute shorts (and sunglasses, of course).
Free breakfast at the hotel again! And then we hit up Galleria Sciarra, an elegant palace atrium with lavish frescoes and a glass-iron roof dating to the late 19th century. No need to spend too long here, but it's a terrific spot for photos and a break from the enduring sun.
The famous Fontana Trevi is only a few minutes away! We were lucky that it wasn't very crowded when we were there, as I've heard it can be impossible to get a good view of the fountain, especially in the mid afternoon. And unlike a lot of popular spots, the Trevi Fountain really does look just like it does in photos. The water is really that blue, and marble is really that white, and it's really that big. There are gelato spots really close to here as well, but I'd recommend venturing further down one of the side streets to get some authentic gelato rather than settling for those more touristy places. Just fast-walk back so you can snap that "gelato in front of the Trevi fountain" photo!
The Spanish Steps are another must-see, and are about 12 minutes from the Trevi Fountain. Walk all the way to the top to get a pretty view, but don't continue along the streets from up there. Instead, head back down the steps and walk further up that street for some great shopping spots, from well-known places like H&M to Italian boutiques! We grabbed lunch at one of the cafes lining the street.
Walk all the way up the street from the Spanish Steps, and you'll hit Piazza Del Popolo, a big square that often hosts live music concerts. It's a great spot to sit and relax after a day of shopping.
We had dinner at El Tabernelle, which was probably my favorite meal in Italy. It's a family-owned restaurant, with family photos on the wall, so you know it's authentic! I had the burrata, house wine and egg pasta. We finished off the night with custom cocktails at the hip and trendy Drink Kong.
DAY 3: VATICAN CITY
For our last day in Rome, we decided to try for a traditional Italian breakfasts. Italians aren't too big on early morning meals, but their chocolate or pistachio-stuffed croissants and frozen coffees are to die for!
We took a FREENOW taxi to Vatican City. Be sure to dress properly (covered from waist to knees, and shoulders covered), or risk having to buy one of the expensive scarves vendors will be selling right outside the Vatican. The Vatican museum is beautiful, with open courtyards and covered halls, all with gorgeous al fresco designs. And of course, be sure to take the time to appreciate the Sistine Chapel with the famous ceiling painting of God creating Adam.
St. Peter's Plaza and Basilica is just a few minute's walk away. And it's free! Again, just be sure to dress properly. Check the Basilica's times for mass, and you could be in for an amazing experience. Walk south directly from the plaza and cross the bridge for a beautiful view.
Soon after crossing the bridge, you'll hit Piazza Navona. It's a great spot to grab an aperitif and people-watch surrounded by fountains and Italian apartments. Don't grab a full lunch here, though, as it can be expensive. Settle for a wine or coffee instead, and grab a panini from one of the shops on your way to...
The Pantheon! We arrived here in the late afternoon, so not only was it not be as crowded, but we catch the last rays of light as they arched through the Pantheon's columns. Oh, and the Pantheon is free to enter!
We caught our train to Naples early the next morning via Rail Italia for 12 euros, booked in advance.
DAYS 7-8: Naples and the Amalfi Coast
LOL when I tell y'all this was the most stressful part of our trip. And it was meant to be the relaxing last day before heading back to Spain!First off, the Amalfi coast is beautiful. It's a great spot for shopping, swimming, or even hiking. I hit up Sorrento and Positano in one day, but didn't plan accordingly...hopefully this can help you not make the same mistakes!
The Amalfi Coast is gorgeous, but it can be expensive, and transportation from one island to another is tricky. So come prepared and plan ahead!
DAY 1: NAPLES & PIZZA
If you're planning a trip to Amalfi on a budget, I highly recommend staying in Naples or Sorrento and taking public transportation to the other islands. We had an AirBnb in Naples with a gorgeous view of the ocean and pastel colored building below. It was basically like staying in Amalfi but without the price tag!
The train dropped us off at around 6pm at Main Station in Naples. It was super easy to navigate, and our AirBnb was about a 45 minute walk away! Naples is a cliffside city, so the views were bumpin' :)
After settling into our rooms, we went out to dinner at Gino Sorbillo. It is known for having the best napoleon pizza in all of Italy, and there are only three locations in the world (Naples, Rome and Milan). The pizza was amazing!
It also just so happened that Italy was playing against England in the Euro Cup that night, so we got to watch live with a bunch of Italians as their team progressed on to the next round of the Games! There were fireworks and honking cars all night...
DAY 2: SORRENTO & POSITANO
We knew that today was going to be a big travel day, so we got up early. Like, at 6am. The biggest thing to know about traveling the Amalfi Coast is to book your transportation beforehand, and start your day early. The easiest and most efficient way to get around is to use the Circumvesuviana train (great views of the ocean out the right hand side) or the SITA bus (great because the last bus comes at 11pm, but they can also run behind). You can also take the ferry, which offers beautiful views, and runs once every two hours and stops promptly at 6pm.
If the idea of looking at train/bus/ferry time tables stresses you out, you can always book an Amalfi Coast tour, with most departing from Sorrento and traveling up the island. These tours usually average around 100 euros per person. Another option is to rent a private boat, but this is only really worth it if you have 4+ people to help split the hefty price. So, again, plan your transportation ahead of time! We didn't, and got stranded in Positano in the dead of night and had to bribe a taxi driver to take us back to Naples (we ended up paying 80 euros instead of 200, so I guess we did okay?).
ANYWAY!
I took the 8am Circumvesuviana train from Naples to Sorrento, which took about an hour. The ferry from Sorrento to Positano would be leaving at 10am.
We did our shopping in Sorrento, as it tends to be the cheaper of the islands along the coast. An hour was just enough time to shop and grab lunch before the 10am ferry for 15 euros...except that didn't go as planned. The boat broke down, and everyone was ushered off. We lucked out when we overheard a couple asking a different boating service to exchange their tickets, and we hopped on with them! It was lucky that we started early, because it left room for mishaps like these.
The ferry stopped at Capri Island and Grotta Azzurra on the way to Positano, which was a terrific additional treat! There isn't much to do on Capri, but it is beautiful (especially the views from the boat). Grotta Azzura, however, simply took my breath away. The Grotto is only open during select times, as sometimes the tide is too high to allow the canoes to go through. But if you have the opportunity to go inside, the blue waters reflecting off the cave walls are a must-see!
We finally arrived at Positano a little after 5pm, which was later than we would have liked because of the mishap with our first ferry. But we still had a good three hours of sunlight and warmth (good thing we were traveling during the summer!), so lounging on the beach while looking up at pastel-colored houses was no issue at all. But don't bother paying for a sun-chair -- instead, lay a towel on the sand opposite the sun-chair area to experience the beach for free!
To finish off the night, we got dinner at a lovely restaurant a ways up the mountain and to the right of the main beach area. Since it wasn't directly overlooking the water, it was a lot cheaper than other places that offered the same view of the ocean and cliffside buildings! Restaurants further from the beach will always be cheaper.
And that's my 8-day Italy Itinerary!
Overall, I loved my time in Italy this past summer. There is simply so much to see and do, and the country itself is so much more than just ruins and pasta.
I'm hoping to travel back there for more of Northern Italy, from Milan to Venice, to the Dolomites...so stay tuned!
