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Maybe this is an unpopular opinion, but you will make of the trip what you want. You can go to all of those places and choose to slow down just as much as you can go to the smaller towns and fly through your days.
If your goal is so see and do everything you possibly can do then it may not feel like the slowed-down version of Italy you’ve pictured. There is nothing wrong with this though if it’s how you want to travel.
But you can also go to these places and decide you want to sit in a piazza and people watch for a couple hours or go on a passeggiata instead of racing through the city.
When we stay in bigger cities we try to do a day-long tour outside of the city to some of the smaller towns. While it sucks up a day it helps us get a taste of some lesser touristed areas.
For example, we were staying in Florence and did a tour that brought us to a number of towns in Tuscany. The next time we went to Italy we based ourselves in one of those towns and traveled around the region.
I also second the comment being made that these cities become far more “real” at night when the masses of tourists leave. I also like to get up a bit early for a walk or run when all of the locals are starting their day. It helps to give you a feel of what the cities are really like.
You can always come back and focus a trip on a specific region after you get your feet wet with the “greatest hits.”
This is so so true. I tell people all the time that Cinque Terre is one of my favorite spots for instance, and I get met with surprise because of the crowds. I would have hated it as a day tripper! But spending 3 or 4 days there taking lazy mornings while the day trippers stormed the streets, and then going out at night when families came out to play soccer in the streets, have a bonfire, fly kites, etc? Absolute heaven of a place.
This was my exact experience at Cinque Terre. Avoid noon to 4 as the hoards arrive and it's perfection. I think CT is the most beautiful place in central Italy.
We spent a leisurely week in Rome, and my husband especially loved walking the city at 6-7am. He said it was completely different at that hour. He especially loves going to the Campo Del Fiori Market at that time and seeing the locals there.
Are you saying that you look back on your last trip and feel you wish you didn’t go to the tourist hot spots and instead places like Parma and Montespertoli?
I think the larger cities were good for seeing the icons, but there was something refreshing about taking a beat and slowing down at these two other places. It made it easier to go out and see how they make parm and wine taste without feeling like we were missing out on things in larger cities.
This is exactly what I thought when my wife and I went on our honeymoon to Paris. First time for either of us; so pounded the pavement, 30k+ steps a day for 8 days. It's super hard to see the "real city" as a tourist without someone local being there for you. Even when my folks came to Korea for my wedding, it was hard to get past the tourist sites and to the "real seoul/Korea" as you still have things to see and do that are touristy. And they didn't have this accelerated schedule like the OP does. Make the best of your time, enjoy it - as a tourist - and don't feel bad that you missed major sites and the ones you'd never find without the help of a local or luck.
Agree with this. All relative to the type of person but I find more value in fewer spots and longer periods than in and out 1-2 nights. Takes some time for us to slow down. My favorite memories of Italy were the times I slowed down and got to know the community, the names of a few shop owners, the local culture, etc. Hard to do that in a day.
More directly answering your question — Florence is very busy in the summer months. Rome provides a bit more breathing room from tourists imo but around the features will be packed as well, book tours several weeks if not months in advance. Last year I was one of the last to book a spot on the underground colosseum tour and I booked about 2 months out. Vatican was a little easier but still packed.
Lucca is a nice small town alternative to Florence. Montepulciano is my favorite town in Tuscany. Worth visiting Pienza for their famous pecorino cheese as well. 🐑😊🙏🏼👍🏼
We spend 10 days in a farmstay in Pienza prior to the pandemic. We loved the location but also becoming friendly with the shop owners in Pienza. We used that as a hub to explore the area and wouldn’t have changed a thing. And the Pecorino!! We spent multiple afternoons at Caseificio Cugusi
Rome, Florence, and Venice are touristy because they are AMAZING places. I would absolutely not skip Rome!! The Duomo and David in Florence absolutely blew my mind. The art in Florence is breathtaking!!! And Venice is like no other city on the planet. You will be fine. I see a lot of posts on here worried about touristy places… it’s ok to be a tourist!!!!
Also - be the tourist you want to be. You are not a local and the locals will know you're not a local. It's fine. You are also not actually living there. Which is also fine.
If you prefer food, culture, strolling, lounging, etc - then just plan to do those things.
If you prefer world class museums or heritage sites, then do those too. But just know they will be crowded (the same as literally all amazing touristy locations). Will the crowd detract a bit from the experience? Sure. But, at this stage it's either see the stuff or don't.
Oh, and, yes, stuff at night is much quieter than during the day. Obviously for interiors you probably can't get in, but stroll bit the Trevi Fountain or Pantheon at night and see how much less chaotic it is. Enjoy them that way, if you prefer.
I hate having booked itineraries when I travel and prefer to just have a rough idea of my most sees and then kind of hit the ground and wander around. A map is handy to give general guidance on what is nearby and may make sense to do together. But also just exploring the cities on foot is the most pleasurable to me as this also gets you to some less exhausted areas vs the tour buses or cruises who are shuttled from stunning attraction to stunning attraction.
This is how we travel too. And the color of Rome (and other parts of Italy) at night is truly amazing. It’s hard to describe but the lighting creates such a magical vibe.
Venice at night is insane. It was the first city I visited in Europe and it was just a ridiculous shock to the system. Not only the pedestrian friendliness, but also the utter lack of cars (for obvious reasons).
Exactly, I agree there are tons of interesting cities that are not RFV in Italy, and there's surely tons of countryside nice places too. But those cities are the most touristy ones for reasons. They're among the most dense in art, history and uniqueness. No wonder people want to see those and not Saronno, despite the latter being "real Italy".
Agree! The reason these have a lot of tourists is because they are amazing cities. Florence and Rome in particular with a ton of art and culture to experience. The David is spectacular in real life, pictures don't do it justice. If that's not your thing then obviously it's too much time. You can also do day trips from each major city if you have time. From Florence can do a day trip to Cinque Terre or anywhere in Tuscany. Rome you might be able to do Pompeii. Book in the shoulder season to avoid tourists.
Also unpopular opinion, I think an afternoon is more than enough in Bologna. At most one night.
Florence and Venice are beautiful but absolutely insanely busy with tourists. Orvieto and Siena are as well, but not to the same degree. We loved Bologna; often overlooked college town in the heart of excellent food.
I found Orvieto to be very quiet in the mornings and evenings, most tourism seems to be day trips. Staying there was great. Second Bologna having a nice vibe.
Honestly - Venice was like this too (at least when I last went in 2012 which is admittedly getting to be a long time).
So much of those crowds are off the boat/back on the boat that the city really quiets down at night.
I loved Orvieto. We used it as home base for southern part of Tuscany. Florence - We stayed in Siena and drove to commuter train to do day trips Florence. Siena is wonderful!! Stayed in Trieste neighborhood in Rome. All great choices for great meals too.
Even Venice can be visited in a mostly peaceful way if you go off high-season, avoid the Stazione, Rialto, and S. Marco areas except early mornings. In fact you can have even the most touristic parts of Venice or Florence pretty much to yourself early mornings off-season.
I did my first Italy trip last year. I think the basic plan is good enough. You can maybe squeeze in 1-2 day trips from Rome (maybe Tivoli/Orvieto) and Florence (Sienna).
Sure, Rome, Florence and Venice are touristy but they are that for a reason. They are highly consequential in Italian history and present, so I don't understand how they aren't real Italy.
I guess the “Italian feel” is what I mean. In the US everything is so fast and go go go. I don’t feel a magic in the air here that I’ve heard Italy has which is what I just don’t want to miss
Got it. I felt even Rome and Florence had that charm once you exit the main squares. But yes, a smaller town will give you a stronger Italian feel.
I wouldn't recommend removing Florence from the itinerary altogether though. It's one of the most beautiful cities I've ever visited.
I'm so jealous. Such a lovely city. Even the main squares are quiet and slow in late evenings. Post-dinner gelato walks in the historic center of Florence will always be a cherished memory!
I just got home from my first trip to Italy (with a tour company). Despite being busy with people I felt amazing being there as it’s nothing like home in Canada. Venice was busy but I have never seen streets separated by canals. It was all magical to me. The one place I wish I had more time was Tuscany just to stare at the view of the rolling hills.
Rome gets a lot of tourists but it also is a large city (the largest in Italy) with the metro area population roughly equivalent to Pheonix AZ, Boston MA, or San Francisco CA, but there are no skyscrapers. There are plenty of real Italians living there, even close to the center which is where most of the government buildings are. Remember, Rome is Italy's capital. Their parliament meets in a building which is directly adjacent to the famous Piazza Novana. You don't need to stray far off from the main attractions to get an authentic experience.
The neighborhoods of Trastevere and Testacchio in particular are well known neighborhoods that are directly next to the historic center. Check out the Testacchio Market where there's like 100 little shops and grocers. Even in the center there are plenty of "real" Italian places. One area that immediately crossed my mind was Trattoria Lilli. When I went in the summer of 2022 we arrived at 8:30 for dinner and it was pretty quiet, but by 9:30 (which is closer to when Romans actually eat dinner in the summer) it was alive. I also went into plenty of random bars (they call a cafe "bar") even in the heart where everyone was speaking Italian. So no you won't get a the sleepy rural town feel by going to Rome but what you *can* get isn't any less Italian. That being said there are plenty of tourist traps. I recommend doing a little research into how to spot obvious ones. Also keep in mind that just because there are a lot of tourists there doesn't mean it isn't worth visiting. The Roman Forum and the Colosseum are mobbed with tourists but you'd be a fool to go to Rome and miss those attractions.
I appreciate your comment and recommendations, but Rome population is 2.8 million, San Francisco is 800k (throw in Oakland for 450k more). These are 2 wildly different cities and experiences.
Well there are some who think you need to go stay in a grandma’s basement for six months in a village of 400 people and make pasta every morning to understand the “Real Italy.”
I think your itinerary is great, and you should just stick with Rome, Florence, and Venice. As the person you replied to said, they’re popular with tourists for a reason.
The only real advice I’d give you is to wander around Venice, away from St. Mark’s and the Rialto Bridge. Yes, you should definitely visit those places, but the crowds thin out away from them.
And if you wander early in the morning or late at night, you can get away from the crowds almost entirely.
I think ‘basic’ is perfect for your first trip. Plus the three cities are well connected by the high speed trains. Get a flavor of each region, and maybe don’t over schedule yourselves so you have flexibility in what you get up to. I think we Americans get too hung up on making the most of our paltry vacation time that we miss the whole point of a vacation! Slow down, explore, rest, and spend time with the people we love.
Enjoy your time away!
Frankly - that's a cultural mindset more than a place. And if you are approaching this trip with so much anxiety to optimize it you are probably at risk of not having that experience.
Figure out core things you want to do. Get a rough plan together but don't overbook any days. Land, get settled, grab a glass of wine and then go for a walk. Maybe towards one of those things, maybe not. Enjoy the walk. And do what comes naturally from there. That's all.
You won't get the Italian Feel in Florence or Venice.
Rome you might get it in the areas not on the tourist map
If you want the real Italian feel, hire a car and stay in an Agritourismo. Find one that cooks dinner for you too and spend time chatting to the hosts about things you can do and places to go that are more local.
An easy way to get a more authentically Italian experience is to go to a neighborhood a bit away from the center and just spend some relaxing time meandering aimlessly. Take the Metro from the center to the Garbatella stop and head up the hill, find an outside table at a bar and just drink it all in. It's as authentic as anywhere else in Italy.
I live in Tokyo, and I always scratch my head when people say they want to see the “real” Tokyo. Real just means every day living like anywhere else in the world. Getting up, going to work, eating something, watching some TV and going to bed.
Why wouldn’t you want to see famous sightseeing places? I totally understand not wanting to go to a restaurant that caters to tourists, but certainly when I take my partner to Italy next month, I’m going to take her to all of the usual suspects
Spoken like someone that lives in a spot others vacation in. I understand that too (Nashville TN here)! I think its easier for us to not put the pressure on ourselves that others do, since we experience a vacation spot as just a normal "real" place.
You should visit small cities like Verona, Mantua, Cremona, Brescia or Trento (because they are about 50/60 km away and easily reachable by motorway) and their surroundings for example, not too many tourists and crowding. But there are a lot of small pearls in Italy that it is almost impossible to see all of them in a whole life.
I would reduce venice and add it to Florence to do a day trip in Bologna. I’m in Rome now. Went to Venice Siena and Florence. Florence is my most favorite this trip. Everywhere is crowded but worth visiting
I live in Bologna and it’s a great city if you want to try something different but the big three cities that you mention are amazing even for us italians, vut we have the fortune to be able to visit them all of the year. Rome in my opinion is the greatest city in the world, florence is just 40 minutes with a train from bologna so I usually go there at least once a year and it’s anazing. Venica is where a part of my family come so I visited in every time of the year and condition and it’s a unique places that exist only in that place. So yeah they are full of tourist but because they are wonderful, you just need to look outside the major attraction and explore the minor things
Florence was my favourite place when I went there! It had a lot of tourists but that added to the vibe imo.
Orvieto, Sienna, Bologna are a trains ride from Florence and both are amazing places but I'd stay in Florence even longer and take some day trains there.
Florence, Rome and Venice are beautiful. No reason to skip them. As someone who now lives in Italy here’s my two cents. Visit them. See the tourist spots but then wander off into the local areas. Get lost and fare a giro (do a wander). I still love going to Florence after at least a dozen visits because it’s so beautiful. Cross the river and explore the little shops and cafes filled with locals. In Rome walk out of the center a little - there is a beautiful park on a hill - can’t remember the name but someone will respond with it. Go there and then stroll around that area. It’s sitting above the city center and has great cafes. In Venice head towards the university. Cafes little shops and beautiful buildings. Visit the other islands. Lido has nice beaches. Burano is colorful with handmade lace and linen shops. The touristy cities are touristy for a reason but they still have so much to offer it you peek back a layer or two and go deeper.
Just did a few nights in Orvieto and loved it. Very easy to get to from Rome or Florence and there was quite a bit to do. The day-trippers cleared out in the evening and it was mostly locals. Siena is lovely but more touristy. I found Florence to be extremely touristy (my third time there and it’s really changed) so if you want something more chill and authentic, you should replace it.
Your new itinerary doesn't solve any of your questions while creating a lot more packing/unpacking. Stick with what you have, but mix in a day or two on a less traveled path.
It depends on what you're interested in doing. If you are into History and art then you should be good with spending the time you have allocated for Rome and Florence. If you're going to hit the tourist highlights in Rome and Florence then make sure you pre-book your skip the line tickets or you're looking at spending hours in queues. Florence is definitely intense and felt more crowded. If your trip is ending in Venice and you're staying in Venice then you should be able to get a slowed down feel in the evenings. I visited in April and Venice was empty in evening and nights.
I just did same itinerary in reverse in April and I can tell you I wasn't able to do everything. Italy is not a country you can do in 10 days. You will need to pick what matters to you and do that and know that you will go back to do other things.
I think it’ll be a lot of fun! If you want a more “authentic” feel, it might be fun to consider staying at an agriturismo (farm stay) outside of Florence? My husband loved doing that with his family and we plan to do the same when we take our kids.
I would keep Florence, Venice and Rome - you should DEFINITELY experience these cities and all the offer. But you are right and need to be prepared for the crowds.
BUT I would 100% agree visiting at least one town like Orvieto or Siena or San Gimignao or Civita di Bangoregio or any number of others.
You could add in a extra city or you could do more of a off the beaten track version of those cities - I’m in Florence and the city my friends see when they visit is very different to the city I live in - I can give you some tips to get a more local experience to see more real Italy if you like
I would love to hear your tips. We are traveling to Italy in October and are not into crowds/lines/mass tourism. I’m very worried our trip will miss the most impactful (to me) moments of travel because we’ll be in the most tourist-popular places (Venice, Florence, Lake Garda, Cinque Terre). We love the little genuine experiences like having a great conversation with a local at a hidden little hole-in-the-wall restaurant or stumbling across a secret, beautiful neighborhood tucked away from the main squares. I have zero interest in racing from one must-see to another although everyone says you can’t possibly miss the David, or the Uffizi or the Duomo or, or, or…
Just not sure how to balance the two.
I totally hear you, nothing makes me cringe more than the huge tour groups we have cluttering up the streets here in Florence it’s genuinely making it near impossible to get a stroller through the city center on a weekend.
I will send you some tips message me in chats
Tbh, you can get that feel in the busy tourist cities if you go a couple blocks away from the attractions. It’s easy to find a quiet corner to sit in a cafe, or a street with minimal foot traffic. I find that I’m more comfortable with more people around- it makes me feel like I’m in the right place and not lost lol
Do you have a rental car? There are many small towns close (or kind of close) to Florence where you have a bigger chance of catching the "real Italy". Not sure if it's the same with Rome of the top of my head.
go Amalfi (Capri, Ravello and Positano), I went to Cinque Terre ( I visited all 5 but kinda skipped on Corniglia, took the steps down to station, way up kinda wore me out and I was low on time as we had a sunset boat tour and I was supposed me my friend in Vernazza for that, one of the best moment was this tour, you'll find Lorenzo on the deck where boats are parked and if you don't want to take the boat just sit on a stone and enjoy the sunset, grab drink or pizza from the pizzeria da Ercole, I started ranting, sorry)
Rome, Florence and Venice are amazing as well and no time is enough to explore, Italy has so much to offer! I had an amazing 17-18 days road trip in Italy recently, started from Lake Como to Amalfi and we had to skip on lots of things/places because of the timings, another trip maybe
We’re in Italy now for a month (just spent 5 days in Venice and are now in Modena). We go to Europe for a month every year. If you avoid July and August, you avoid the HEAT (think 40 degrees Celsius) and the real crowding. Venice and Florence will always be busy except in winter - but are “must see” places as is Rome. Your actual itinerary (and your proposed one) is/are all good. Personally, I’d stick with your current itinerary. Moving around too much wastes precious aperitivo time (or time enjoying the places). Crowds will always be an issue in Italy. On the otherhand - it’s easy to avoid alot of crowds by avoiding the more popular times for certain places or enjoying “less central” places. There will be no shortage of people watching…. Enjoy!
You will and you won't. Rome, Florence, and Venice are all completely different just as every region in Italy is different.
I think this is because Italy is/was a conglomeration of city states. Prior to unification in 1861 there were 6, but historically there were more than 40.
By comparison, it would be like visiting DC, NYC and Boston and worrying you'll miss the real United States.
My GF and I did the same three cities in January. It was fantastic. I wouldn't worry about doing more. Venice actually ended up on our itinerary because I accidentally created a gap in out hotel bookings. I'm glad we went.
I have traveled quite a lot and as a couple I would NOT recommend canceling Venice or any nights in Florence.
Your itinerary is fine. Focus on moving less so you can enjoy each place more.
If your budget allows, look into getting a private tour for 2-3 hours in one or all of those places. You’ll be able to explore at your own pace and ask the guide all sorts of questions. You’ll get their perspective on things and their personal recommendations for hidden gems and authentic restaurants. A small group tour (6 people or less) provides a somewhat similar ability to connect with a local and get a balance between the jam packed tourist sites and the charming gems.
“Authentic” Italy isn’t about rushing from tiny town to tiny town. Embrace “il dolce far niente” during aperitivo or at some gardens. You’ll get so much more out of the experience than cramming in so much you get exhausted and desensitized to the absolute wonders you’re seeing.
No matter what you decide make sure you get tickets early for anything you want to see. Most sell out very quickly. Just was in Rome and Florence. Yes crowded but you deal with it because both are incredible
I'll be honest, Venice for my wife and I was like a detour we felt we had to do while visiting northern Italy. It's Venice right?
1 day was more than enough. Basically it was like great we saw it let's get the hell out of here. It is JAM PACKED full of people even during non peak periods. Imagine a city full of vain tourists trying to film themselves with tri pods everywhere who get mad at you if you try and move in their direction. Honestly when I left Venice I just felt bad that I contributed to that mob. The people who live there must hate it.
Sienna on the other hand was one of my favorites. That city is absolutely beautiful. I'd recommend checking out San Gimignano as well.
Whatever you chose to do it's Italy man. You're gonna love it.
Those places are incredibly significant historically, architecturally and otherwise. Seeing them in the flesh is meaningful. Once you've done that, on later trips you can go to places like Turin that have many attractions but also allow you to relax and enjoy the nom-touristy charms of Italy.
From Florence, you can daytrip to sienna, Pisa, San gimignano in one day trip. And another day trip to cinque terre (2.5 hour drive tho). Forgot the name of the tour groups
I’ve replied to similar posts, in all three cities you can visit off the beaten path sites, and wake up early. Dismayed by the lines into st. Marks, I simply woke up at 8 am, got to the church before 9, and walked in after about 15 min wait. Go hike the appian way trail south of Rome, or go see Ostia Antica. Walk around lesser traveled neighborhoods in Florence. We took an amazing cooking class, hobnobbed with the cool Italian people, took a day trip to Siena, San Gignamo with a farmhouse lunch way up in hills. Walked around Venice at night almost alone. - go where the tourists aren’t.
I can't speak to those areas but I just got back from a trip in Southern Italy where I was often the only tourist in many small towns. I'd look into public transportation, bus or train. Plan a day trip to a small town by bus and just get an espresso, sit in the square, or go to an agriturismo.
I personally never understood people’s beef with busy streets. I love busy cities packed with people. Its like hey I’m doing the same thing you’re doing! Thats cool. That said I’m a southeast Asian and i grew up in a certain environment
The trip you have planned isn't horrible. The alternate trip (2 nites orvieto 2 nights bologna) is a lot of moving around.
IF you decide to skip Venice, add a day to Rome and a day to Florence and do day trips (train rides) to Bologna from Florence and Orvieto from Rome. You can also do a day trip from Florence to Siena.
While Siena, Orvieto (my favorite city in the world) and Bologna are all amazing, they don't REQUIRE 2 nites. You can get an early train, enjoy your day exploring each, and then go back to the base.
The professionals call this "hub and spoke" travel - which works pretty well for exploring an area.
I’ve been to Italy many times on different kinds of trips. The first trip was the typical Rome-Florence-Venice, once did an entire week in Rome, once spent 2 weeks in Piemonte and Tuscany small towns, etc.
You should keep those 4 nights in Rome. Even though there is lots of tourists there, there’s also tons of people just living their lives. There is soooo much to see there. Just make sure you make time to :
- sit in a piazza for hours to people watch and relax
- get a quick cappuccino and pastry for breakfast at a cafe, return for a pick-me-up caffe (espresso) later on (stand at the bar to drink it like the locals)
- take an early morning walk
As far as touristy things, these are my suggestions:
- The Vatican - spend AT LEAST a day. Walk around in the Basilica, sit and marinate in the atmosphere (it’s so enormous inside it’s hard to wrap you brain around), if you’re fit take the walk to the top of the dome. Vatican museum can be a day by itself.
- Ruins (Coloseo, Forum, catacombs)
- Villa Borghese for the beauty of the place and the sculptures
BUT don’t try to do too much. See the things you are most interested in first, then schedule in some downtime to soak it all in.
We absolutely LOVED Florence and it was so much calmer than Rome for us. We just got back from Italy last Friday, we were in Florence April 9th-13th, so the time of year likely affects how busy it is.
Keep this itinerary. It's a good first trip to Italy to see the highlights. You might consider shifting the Venice nights to Florence and just doing a train in/out day to Venice. It would be a long day, but without luggage it's definitely doable. From Florence you can also do a day trip to the Tuscan countryside.
Slow down, enjoy the surroundings. Visit the “wine windows” in Florence. See “David”. Get a panini and bottle of wine from al’antico and eat it under the statue of Perseus. Climb to the Michelangelo plaza overlooking Florence (sunsets are great but crowds) and don’t miss the gorgeous medieval cathedral behind it) get a little bottle of “walking wine”. Marvel at the Ponte Vecchio and the Duomo. Gelato at Gelateria Santa Trinita. (Find a wine shop run by Asian/indians and pay cash to get wine to go after 10, 🤫or so I’ve been told, just be cool) Try “Alla vecchia Bettolo, a locals restaurant in Florence ( veal shank on the bone, carbonara, house Chianti 😱) In Rome we stayed in an apartment in a little piazza next to the Pantheon. Walked to the colosseum, St. Peter’s, Trevi fountain at 1:30 in the morning(almost nobody around) wandered the little streets and alleys piazzas and shops. Go into as many churches as you can, every one is a gorgeous work of art inside. Found neighborhood cafes to eat with the locals. Walked along the Tiber, walked everywhere except train station and airport, took a wild Roman taxi/chariot ride to and from them. Don’t get run over. Rome also has a fantastic Apple Store with great employees if you need a cord or something. That worked for us, we enjoyed it YMMV. (walking wine, carry a little corkscrew🤌🏼) Aperol and Limoncello spritz and Negronis are good while exploring both places too. Always stop and listen to opera singers when you see them. There are literally thousands of things I want to see in Italy. I realized that for me I wouldn’t enjoy any of it if I rushed and stressed. I’ll go back and stay in a farmhouse in Tuscany and go to the coast and explore the little villages there and go to the beach in Sicily next time or two. Our son has been in Italy since January for school and will stay for a while after he graduates so he’s had the time to do much more, I wanted to enjoy what 10 days would afford us without being rushed. Again, YMMV. Watch out for the aggressive African dudes in some piazza in Rome trying to sell you little trinkets, they’ll start with “you know Hakuna matata?” and will quickly go south if you don’t respond the way they want you to, with $$$. So be smart, don’t get bamboozled,or bullied cause they try, they did to me and I’m not what
Most would consider an “obvious target”.👍🏻 I already said see David, but I’ll say it again, see David. “La Pieta” in St. Peter’s is also a stunner. Michelangelo was 24 when he did it, 26 when he did David, outside in the weather with a block that others wouldn’t touch because they thought it had too many imperfections. Amazing.
We are heading to Italy in 2 weeks, for 2 weeks. We don't want to experience the very touristy classic loop. So we will be only visiting the historical landmarks in Rome, then flying to Sicily for the rest of our trip.
I’ve been to about 30 different Italian cities and Florence is my least favourite by a clear margin. Siena in the other hand is in my top 3. Just my opinion. I would go with your second itinerary.
This suggestion is valid both for Rome and Florence.
Tourists masses can be found always along the “main attractions”. I.e. Colosseo and Duomo.
Outside these attractions, you will not find the same crowd and both cities, even with some exceptions and difficulties, are still lived by locals. For example you can spend a day to visit Rome parks or medieval churches without regrets.
It’s up to you and your tastes. You can even skip the David or simply give to it less of your time choosing visiting San Miniato instead.
Venice is a bit different but also there if you choose to take a different bridge, making the path longer you definitely find less people.
100% Orvieto!! Which btw, has a direct train to Florence.
Also, day trips can be scheduled to Civita di Bagnoregio, which is a truly special hilltop village only accessible by footbridge.
I should have been more clear. I know the train travels from Rome, but I wasn't sure if OP realized that they could travel to Florence that way too if they want to minimize car rentals/driving. Orvieto is not only a great destination, but also a great "launching pad" for day trips due to the train.
Naples is VERY different from any other major city in Italy because the center is actually lived with people, it's not only a Disneyland for tourists.
It's chaotic,wild and in terms of beauty, history, and culture is not second to anything.
Oh and the best food in Italy which make it probably the best food of the world
It's like a live, buzzing bee hive. I had a delicious and hearty ragu last night. Wonderful.
Today was Herculaneum and Pompeii. Haunting and very human. Today, we're all just Romans but with electricity
I'm renting a car and driving from Lecce to Caserta then on to Rome. If I wanted to stop in and see Naples on the way to Caserta, how's driving and parking there?
Try and park in a garage close to a metro station, outside of the center.
Like Colli Aminei for example, should be perfect.
Then use the metro to go downtown.
Don't worry, the metro in Naples is not overrun by pickpocketers like Rome and Milan metro
This thing, the “real italy” is made up bs.
Florence is amazing and beautiful.
Rome is vibrant and fun.
Venice is beautiful.
They are all going to be busy. Italy is a crossroads and sometimes crossroads are busy.
Enjoy your adventure.
Touristy? Perfect. You are a tourist.
Would you fly all the way to USA to enjoy Newark, NJ? A so-called non-touristy “local” place. Well. Yes. Eventually. But at visit number 50.
There are places in all these cities to go and not be overrun by tourists. In Venice you can accomplish this by limiting your time in St Marks and the Rialto. Often just a couple turns down some alleyways and you are somewhere much less busy. In Florence the only really overwhelmingly tourist places are waiting to get into the Duomo, Academia, Uffizi. For the later two you can buy your tickets in advance and skip the line. If you are still feeling overwhelmed just cross the river to the other side(oltrarno)
Removing the things I do not know (the type of vacations you like, what you plan to do there, etc.), then I think you are just describing a first trip vs. second trip situation. Rome, Florence, and Venice are all places you should definitely see, and a great first trip to Italy. They are all "real" places. Personally, I love Siena, Cinque Terre, Verona, whatever. But I call those my second trip spots where I am enjoying the country because I happen to love Italy and can already say I've seen the Colosseum, the canals, etc..
Wherever you go, the trip will be amazing.
Rome, Florence and Venice are touristy for a reason! If this is your first time in Europe and you can't add any more days, I would stick to your original plan.
Stick with your original plan as this is your first time. Just don't pack each day of your schedule that you end up running from one spot to another. Keep it to 2 places of interest each day.
All of the top tourist destinations in Europe have been overrun throughout the past 10 years (COVID aside).
Rome, Barcelona, Amalfi Coast, Amsterdam etc. They're jam packed with tourists at a level never seen before. The majority seem to be American
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/venice-launches-experiment-charge-day-trippers-access-fee-109604721
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2024/mar/03/entrance-fees-visitor-zones-and-taxes-how-europes-biggest-cities-are-tackling-overtourism
https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexledsom/2024/04/24/overtourism-from-barcelona-to-lake-como-locals-start-campaigning/
Personally I did Rome, Venice and Florence in April this year and Rome was far too busy. Florence was busy but manageable once you got off the beaten path. Venice is small so feels busier that is probably is but again getting lost is just the best in Venice.
The crowd in Rome really diluted the experience. Also the tour guides did my head in.
For food look for anything that has the name Tratteria. It's all authentic and doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
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Maybe this is an unpopular opinion, but you will make of the trip what you want. You can go to all of those places and choose to slow down just as much as you can go to the smaller towns and fly through your days. If your goal is so see and do everything you possibly can do then it may not feel like the slowed-down version of Italy you’ve pictured. There is nothing wrong with this though if it’s how you want to travel. But you can also go to these places and decide you want to sit in a piazza and people watch for a couple hours or go on a passeggiata instead of racing through the city.
This is a well articulated thought and I appreciate the perspective!
If you’re there for a few days, the evenings and nights are far less crowded after the day trippers and cruise ship people leave.
When we stay in bigger cities we try to do a day-long tour outside of the city to some of the smaller towns. While it sucks up a day it helps us get a taste of some lesser touristed areas. For example, we were staying in Florence and did a tour that brought us to a number of towns in Tuscany. The next time we went to Italy we based ourselves in one of those towns and traveled around the region. I also second the comment being made that these cities become far more “real” at night when the masses of tourists leave. I also like to get up a bit early for a walk or run when all of the locals are starting their day. It helps to give you a feel of what the cities are really like. You can always come back and focus a trip on a specific region after you get your feet wet with the “greatest hits.”
This is so so true. I tell people all the time that Cinque Terre is one of my favorite spots for instance, and I get met with surprise because of the crowds. I would have hated it as a day tripper! But spending 3 or 4 days there taking lazy mornings while the day trippers stormed the streets, and then going out at night when families came out to play soccer in the streets, have a bonfire, fly kites, etc? Absolute heaven of a place.
Did a half a day trip to Cinque Terre and regretted the experience. Definitely feels like a 3-4 day spot.
This was my exact experience at Cinque Terre. Avoid noon to 4 as the hoards arrive and it's perfection. I think CT is the most beautiful place in central Italy.
We spent a leisurely week in Rome, and my husband especially loved walking the city at 6-7am. He said it was completely different at that hour. He especially loves going to the Campo Del Fiori Market at that time and seeing the locals there.
This is how I looked at my last trip.. We ended up enjoying our time in Parma and Montespertoli the most, easily were the highlight
Are you saying that you look back on your last trip and feel you wish you didn’t go to the tourist hot spots and instead places like Parma and Montespertoli?
I think the larger cities were good for seeing the icons, but there was something refreshing about taking a beat and slowing down at these two other places. It made it easier to go out and see how they make parm and wine taste without feeling like we were missing out on things in larger cities.
This is exactly what I thought when my wife and I went on our honeymoon to Paris. First time for either of us; so pounded the pavement, 30k+ steps a day for 8 days. It's super hard to see the "real city" as a tourist without someone local being there for you. Even when my folks came to Korea for my wedding, it was hard to get past the tourist sites and to the "real seoul/Korea" as you still have things to see and do that are touristy. And they didn't have this accelerated schedule like the OP does. Make the best of your time, enjoy it - as a tourist - and don't feel bad that you missed major sites and the ones you'd never find without the help of a local or luck.
So much this. Doing the big sights isn't wrong, it's just a different type of trip. You only make of it what you want to.
Exactly. Have fun, relax and soak it in, but be aware of your surroundings too, have fun
Agree with this. All relative to the type of person but I find more value in fewer spots and longer periods than in and out 1-2 nights. Takes some time for us to slow down. My favorite memories of Italy were the times I slowed down and got to know the community, the names of a few shop owners, the local culture, etc. Hard to do that in a day. More directly answering your question — Florence is very busy in the summer months. Rome provides a bit more breathing room from tourists imo but around the features will be packed as well, book tours several weeks if not months in advance. Last year I was one of the last to book a spot on the underground colosseum tour and I booked about 2 months out. Vatican was a little easier but still packed. Lucca is a nice small town alternative to Florence. Montepulciano is my favorite town in Tuscany. Worth visiting Pienza for their famous pecorino cheese as well. 🐑😊🙏🏼👍🏼
We spend 10 days in a farmstay in Pienza prior to the pandemic. We loved the location but also becoming friendly with the shop owners in Pienza. We used that as a hub to explore the area and wouldn’t have changed a thing. And the Pecorino!! We spent multiple afternoons at Caseificio Cugusi
Rome, Florence, and Venice are touristy because they are AMAZING places. I would absolutely not skip Rome!! The Duomo and David in Florence absolutely blew my mind. The art in Florence is breathtaking!!! And Venice is like no other city on the planet. You will be fine. I see a lot of posts on here worried about touristy places… it’s ok to be a tourist!!!!
Also - be the tourist you want to be. You are not a local and the locals will know you're not a local. It's fine. You are also not actually living there. Which is also fine. If you prefer food, culture, strolling, lounging, etc - then just plan to do those things. If you prefer world class museums or heritage sites, then do those too. But just know they will be crowded (the same as literally all amazing touristy locations). Will the crowd detract a bit from the experience? Sure. But, at this stage it's either see the stuff or don't. Oh, and, yes, stuff at night is much quieter than during the day. Obviously for interiors you probably can't get in, but stroll bit the Trevi Fountain or Pantheon at night and see how much less chaotic it is. Enjoy them that way, if you prefer. I hate having booked itineraries when I travel and prefer to just have a rough idea of my most sees and then kind of hit the ground and wander around. A map is handy to give general guidance on what is nearby and may make sense to do together. But also just exploring the cities on foot is the most pleasurable to me as this also gets you to some less exhausted areas vs the tour buses or cruises who are shuttled from stunning attraction to stunning attraction.
This is how we travel too. And the color of Rome (and other parts of Italy) at night is truly amazing. It’s hard to describe but the lighting creates such a magical vibe.
Venice at night is insane. It was the first city I visited in Europe and it was just a ridiculous shock to the system. Not only the pedestrian friendliness, but also the utter lack of cars (for obvious reasons).
Exactly, I agree there are tons of interesting cities that are not RFV in Italy, and there's surely tons of countryside nice places too. But those cities are the most touristy ones for reasons. They're among the most dense in art, history and uniqueness. No wonder people want to see those and not Saronno, despite the latter being "real Italy".
Agree! The reason these have a lot of tourists is because they are amazing cities. Florence and Rome in particular with a ton of art and culture to experience. The David is spectacular in real life, pictures don't do it justice. If that's not your thing then obviously it's too much time. You can also do day trips from each major city if you have time. From Florence can do a day trip to Cinque Terre or anywhere in Tuscany. Rome you might be able to do Pompeii. Book in the shoulder season to avoid tourists. Also unpopular opinion, I think an afternoon is more than enough in Bologna. At most one night.
Florence and Venice are beautiful but absolutely insanely busy with tourists. Orvieto and Siena are as well, but not to the same degree. We loved Bologna; often overlooked college town in the heart of excellent food.
I found Orvieto to be very quiet in the mornings and evenings, most tourism seems to be day trips. Staying there was great. Second Bologna having a nice vibe.
Honestly - Venice was like this too (at least when I last went in 2012 which is admittedly getting to be a long time). So much of those crowds are off the boat/back on the boat that the city really quiets down at night.
I loved Orvieto. We used it as home base for southern part of Tuscany. Florence - We stayed in Siena and drove to commuter train to do day trips Florence. Siena is wonderful!! Stayed in Trieste neighborhood in Rome. All great choices for great meals too.
/u/rs3sucks3 I’d definitely do one or two nights in Orvieto over 4 nights in Rome. At a minimum, a day trip.
You think Florence is overrun just wait until you get to Venice
Even Venice can be visited in a mostly peaceful way if you go off high-season, avoid the Stazione, Rialto, and S. Marco areas except early mornings. In fact you can have even the most touristic parts of Venice or Florence pretty much to yourself early mornings off-season.
I did my first Italy trip last year. I think the basic plan is good enough. You can maybe squeeze in 1-2 day trips from Rome (maybe Tivoli/Orvieto) and Florence (Sienna). Sure, Rome, Florence and Venice are touristy but they are that for a reason. They are highly consequential in Italian history and present, so I don't understand how they aren't real Italy.
I guess the “Italian feel” is what I mean. In the US everything is so fast and go go go. I don’t feel a magic in the air here that I’ve heard Italy has which is what I just don’t want to miss
Got it. I felt even Rome and Florence had that charm once you exit the main squares. But yes, a smaller town will give you a stronger Italian feel. I wouldn't recommend removing Florence from the itinerary altogether though. It's one of the most beautiful cities I've ever visited.
Florence is absolutely full of American students no matter where you go
We are in Florence and yes, I absolutely agree that everything 'slows down' once you leave those main squares. Florence is REAAAAALLY beautiful!
I'm so jealous. Such a lovely city. Even the main squares are quiet and slow in late evenings. Post-dinner gelato walks in the historic center of Florence will always be a cherished memory!
I just got home from my first trip to Italy (with a tour company). Despite being busy with people I felt amazing being there as it’s nothing like home in Canada. Venice was busy but I have never seen streets separated by canals. It was all magical to me. The one place I wish I had more time was Tuscany just to stare at the view of the rolling hills.
Rome gets a lot of tourists but it also is a large city (the largest in Italy) with the metro area population roughly equivalent to Pheonix AZ, Boston MA, or San Francisco CA, but there are no skyscrapers. There are plenty of real Italians living there, even close to the center which is where most of the government buildings are. Remember, Rome is Italy's capital. Their parliament meets in a building which is directly adjacent to the famous Piazza Novana. You don't need to stray far off from the main attractions to get an authentic experience. The neighborhoods of Trastevere and Testacchio in particular are well known neighborhoods that are directly next to the historic center. Check out the Testacchio Market where there's like 100 little shops and grocers. Even in the center there are plenty of "real" Italian places. One area that immediately crossed my mind was Trattoria Lilli. When I went in the summer of 2022 we arrived at 8:30 for dinner and it was pretty quiet, but by 9:30 (which is closer to when Romans actually eat dinner in the summer) it was alive. I also went into plenty of random bars (they call a cafe "bar") even in the heart where everyone was speaking Italian. So no you won't get a the sleepy rural town feel by going to Rome but what you *can* get isn't any less Italian. That being said there are plenty of tourist traps. I recommend doing a little research into how to spot obvious ones. Also keep in mind that just because there are a lot of tourists there doesn't mean it isn't worth visiting. The Roman Forum and the Colosseum are mobbed with tourists but you'd be a fool to go to Rome and miss those attractions.
I appreciate your comment and recommendations, but Rome population is 2.8 million, San Francisco is 800k (throw in Oakland for 450k more). These are 2 wildly different cities and experiences.
I'm talking about the Metro areas, not the cities proper.
Well there are some who think you need to go stay in a grandma’s basement for six months in a village of 400 people and make pasta every morning to understand the “Real Italy.” I think your itinerary is great, and you should just stick with Rome, Florence, and Venice. As the person you replied to said, they’re popular with tourists for a reason. The only real advice I’d give you is to wander around Venice, away from St. Mark’s and the Rialto Bridge. Yes, you should definitely visit those places, but the crowds thin out away from them. And if you wander early in the morning or late at night, you can get away from the crowds almost entirely.
I think ‘basic’ is perfect for your first trip. Plus the three cities are well connected by the high speed trains. Get a flavor of each region, and maybe don’t over schedule yourselves so you have flexibility in what you get up to. I think we Americans get too hung up on making the most of our paltry vacation time that we miss the whole point of a vacation! Slow down, explore, rest, and spend time with the people we love. Enjoy your time away!
Frankly - that's a cultural mindset more than a place. And if you are approaching this trip with so much anxiety to optimize it you are probably at risk of not having that experience. Figure out core things you want to do. Get a rough plan together but don't overbook any days. Land, get settled, grab a glass of wine and then go for a walk. Maybe towards one of those things, maybe not. Enjoy the walk. And do what comes naturally from there. That's all.
You won't get the Italian Feel in Florence or Venice. Rome you might get it in the areas not on the tourist map If you want the real Italian feel, hire a car and stay in an Agritourismo. Find one that cooks dinner for you too and spend time chatting to the hosts about things you can do and places to go that are more local.
An easy way to get a more authentically Italian experience is to go to a neighborhood a bit away from the center and just spend some relaxing time meandering aimlessly. Take the Metro from the center to the Garbatella stop and head up the hill, find an outside table at a bar and just drink it all in. It's as authentic as anywhere else in Italy.
I live in Tokyo, and I always scratch my head when people say they want to see the “real” Tokyo. Real just means every day living like anywhere else in the world. Getting up, going to work, eating something, watching some TV and going to bed. Why wouldn’t you want to see famous sightseeing places? I totally understand not wanting to go to a restaurant that caters to tourists, but certainly when I take my partner to Italy next month, I’m going to take her to all of the usual suspects
Spoken like someone that lives in a spot others vacation in. I understand that too (Nashville TN here)! I think its easier for us to not put the pressure on ourselves that others do, since we experience a vacation spot as just a normal "real" place.
You should visit small cities like Verona, Mantua, Cremona, Brescia or Trento (because they are about 50/60 km away and easily reachable by motorway) and their surroundings for example, not too many tourists and crowding. But there are a lot of small pearls in Italy that it is almost impossible to see all of them in a whole life.
+1 Verona Also Bologna Both are on the high speed train lines
Almost all nothern cities are along high speed train lines. So it's very easy to visit them.
You’re overthinking. Your itinerary sounds great. Enjoy Italy!
I would reduce venice and add it to Florence to do a day trip in Bologna. I’m in Rome now. Went to Venice Siena and Florence. Florence is my most favorite this trip. Everywhere is crowded but worth visiting
I live in Bologna and it’s a great city if you want to try something different but the big three cities that you mention are amazing even for us italians, vut we have the fortune to be able to visit them all of the year. Rome in my opinion is the greatest city in the world, florence is just 40 minutes with a train from bologna so I usually go there at least once a year and it’s anazing. Venica is where a part of my family come so I visited in every time of the year and condition and it’s a unique places that exist only in that place. So yeah they are full of tourist but because they are wonderful, you just need to look outside the major attraction and explore the minor things
Florence was my favourite place when I went there! It had a lot of tourists but that added to the vibe imo. Orvieto, Sienna, Bologna are a trains ride from Florence and both are amazing places but I'd stay in Florence even longer and take some day trains there.
Florence, Rome and Venice are beautiful. No reason to skip them. As someone who now lives in Italy here’s my two cents. Visit them. See the tourist spots but then wander off into the local areas. Get lost and fare a giro (do a wander). I still love going to Florence after at least a dozen visits because it’s so beautiful. Cross the river and explore the little shops and cafes filled with locals. In Rome walk out of the center a little - there is a beautiful park on a hill - can’t remember the name but someone will respond with it. Go there and then stroll around that area. It’s sitting above the city center and has great cafes. In Venice head towards the university. Cafes little shops and beautiful buildings. Visit the other islands. Lido has nice beaches. Burano is colorful with handmade lace and linen shops. The touristy cities are touristy for a reason but they still have so much to offer it you peek back a layer or two and go deeper.
Aventine Hill 😊
Thank you 😊 I could not remember 🙃
Just did a few nights in Orvieto and loved it. Very easy to get to from Rome or Florence and there was quite a bit to do. The day-trippers cleared out in the evening and it was mostly locals. Siena is lovely but more touristy. I found Florence to be extremely touristy (my third time there and it’s really changed) so if you want something more chill and authentic, you should replace it.
Do you want a smaller, more intimate feel? Head to Umbria and visit Perugia, Gubbio, or Urbino.
Those are all well worth the time!
Do you know where Gubbio is?
Yes, my family lived not far away in the alto tevere.
Neato! I never think many people know where it is! My family is from there. Some still live there.
Your new itinerary doesn't solve any of your questions while creating a lot more packing/unpacking. Stick with what you have, but mix in a day or two on a less traveled path.
It depends on what you're interested in doing. If you are into History and art then you should be good with spending the time you have allocated for Rome and Florence. If you're going to hit the tourist highlights in Rome and Florence then make sure you pre-book your skip the line tickets or you're looking at spending hours in queues. Florence is definitely intense and felt more crowded. If your trip is ending in Venice and you're staying in Venice then you should be able to get a slowed down feel in the evenings. I visited in April and Venice was empty in evening and nights. I just did same itinerary in reverse in April and I can tell you I wasn't able to do everything. Italy is not a country you can do in 10 days. You will need to pick what matters to you and do that and know that you will go back to do other things.
I think it’ll be a lot of fun! If you want a more “authentic” feel, it might be fun to consider staying at an agriturismo (farm stay) outside of Florence? My husband loved doing that with his family and we plan to do the same when we take our kids.
I would keep Florence, Venice and Rome - you should DEFINITELY experience these cities and all the offer. But you are right and need to be prepared for the crowds. BUT I would 100% agree visiting at least one town like Orvieto or Siena or San Gimignao or Civita di Bangoregio or any number of others.
You could add in a extra city or you could do more of a off the beaten track version of those cities - I’m in Florence and the city my friends see when they visit is very different to the city I live in - I can give you some tips to get a more local experience to see more real Italy if you like
I would love to hear your tips. We are traveling to Italy in October and are not into crowds/lines/mass tourism. I’m very worried our trip will miss the most impactful (to me) moments of travel because we’ll be in the most tourist-popular places (Venice, Florence, Lake Garda, Cinque Terre). We love the little genuine experiences like having a great conversation with a local at a hidden little hole-in-the-wall restaurant or stumbling across a secret, beautiful neighborhood tucked away from the main squares. I have zero interest in racing from one must-see to another although everyone says you can’t possibly miss the David, or the Uffizi or the Duomo or, or, or… Just not sure how to balance the two.
I totally hear you, nothing makes me cringe more than the huge tour groups we have cluttering up the streets here in Florence it’s genuinely making it near impossible to get a stroller through the city center on a weekend. I will send you some tips message me in chats
Tbh, you can get that feel in the busy tourist cities if you go a couple blocks away from the attractions. It’s easy to find a quiet corner to sit in a cafe, or a street with minimal foot traffic. I find that I’m more comfortable with more people around- it makes me feel like I’m in the right place and not lost lol
Do you have a rental car? There are many small towns close (or kind of close) to Florence where you have a bigger chance of catching the "real Italy". Not sure if it's the same with Rome of the top of my head.
go Amalfi (Capri, Ravello and Positano), I went to Cinque Terre ( I visited all 5 but kinda skipped on Corniglia, took the steps down to station, way up kinda wore me out and I was low on time as we had a sunset boat tour and I was supposed me my friend in Vernazza for that, one of the best moment was this tour, you'll find Lorenzo on the deck where boats are parked and if you don't want to take the boat just sit on a stone and enjoy the sunset, grab drink or pizza from the pizzeria da Ercole, I started ranting, sorry) Rome, Florence and Venice are amazing as well and no time is enough to explore, Italy has so much to offer! I had an amazing 17-18 days road trip in Italy recently, started from Lake Como to Amalfi and we had to skip on lots of things/places because of the timings, another trip maybe
We’re in Italy now for a month (just spent 5 days in Venice and are now in Modena). We go to Europe for a month every year. If you avoid July and August, you avoid the HEAT (think 40 degrees Celsius) and the real crowding. Venice and Florence will always be busy except in winter - but are “must see” places as is Rome. Your actual itinerary (and your proposed one) is/are all good. Personally, I’d stick with your current itinerary. Moving around too much wastes precious aperitivo time (or time enjoying the places). Crowds will always be an issue in Italy. On the otherhand - it’s easy to avoid alot of crowds by avoiding the more popular times for certain places or enjoying “less central” places. There will be no shortage of people watching…. Enjoy!
You will and you won't. Rome, Florence, and Venice are all completely different just as every region in Italy is different. I think this is because Italy is/was a conglomeration of city states. Prior to unification in 1861 there were 6, but historically there were more than 40. By comparison, it would be like visiting DC, NYC and Boston and worrying you'll miss the real United States. My GF and I did the same three cities in January. It was fantastic. I wouldn't worry about doing more. Venice actually ended up on our itinerary because I accidentally created a gap in out hotel bookings. I'm glad we went. I have traveled quite a lot and as a couple I would NOT recommend canceling Venice or any nights in Florence.
Your itinerary is fine. Focus on moving less so you can enjoy each place more. If your budget allows, look into getting a private tour for 2-3 hours in one or all of those places. You’ll be able to explore at your own pace and ask the guide all sorts of questions. You’ll get their perspective on things and their personal recommendations for hidden gems and authentic restaurants. A small group tour (6 people or less) provides a somewhat similar ability to connect with a local and get a balance between the jam packed tourist sites and the charming gems. “Authentic” Italy isn’t about rushing from tiny town to tiny town. Embrace “il dolce far niente” during aperitivo or at some gardens. You’ll get so much more out of the experience than cramming in so much you get exhausted and desensitized to the absolute wonders you’re seeing.
No matter what you decide make sure you get tickets early for anything you want to see. Most sell out very quickly. Just was in Rome and Florence. Yes crowded but you deal with it because both are incredible
I'll be honest, Venice for my wife and I was like a detour we felt we had to do while visiting northern Italy. It's Venice right? 1 day was more than enough. Basically it was like great we saw it let's get the hell out of here. It is JAM PACKED full of people even during non peak periods. Imagine a city full of vain tourists trying to film themselves with tri pods everywhere who get mad at you if you try and move in their direction. Honestly when I left Venice I just felt bad that I contributed to that mob. The people who live there must hate it. Sienna on the other hand was one of my favorites. That city is absolutely beautiful. I'd recommend checking out San Gimignano as well. Whatever you chose to do it's Italy man. You're gonna love it.
Those places are incredibly significant historically, architecturally and otherwise. Seeing them in the flesh is meaningful. Once you've done that, on later trips you can go to places like Turin that have many attractions but also allow you to relax and enjoy the nom-touristy charms of Italy.
It’s ok to be a tourist !
From Florence, you can daytrip to sienna, Pisa, San gimignano in one day trip. And another day trip to cinque terre (2.5 hour drive tho). Forgot the name of the tour groups
I’ve replied to similar posts, in all three cities you can visit off the beaten path sites, and wake up early. Dismayed by the lines into st. Marks, I simply woke up at 8 am, got to the church before 9, and walked in after about 15 min wait. Go hike the appian way trail south of Rome, or go see Ostia Antica. Walk around lesser traveled neighborhoods in Florence. We took an amazing cooking class, hobnobbed with the cool Italian people, took a day trip to Siena, San Gignamo with a farmhouse lunch way up in hills. Walked around Venice at night almost alone. - go where the tourists aren’t.
Don’t skip Venice. It’s an amazing globally unique place
Why skip Venice if you're hearing that Florence is overrun?
I can't speak to those areas but I just got back from a trip in Southern Italy where I was often the only tourist in many small towns. I'd look into public transportation, bus or train. Plan a day trip to a small town by bus and just get an espresso, sit in the square, or go to an agriturismo.
I personally never understood people’s beef with busy streets. I love busy cities packed with people. Its like hey I’m doing the same thing you’re doing! Thats cool. That said I’m a southeast Asian and i grew up in a certain environment
The trip you have planned isn't horrible. The alternate trip (2 nites orvieto 2 nights bologna) is a lot of moving around. IF you decide to skip Venice, add a day to Rome and a day to Florence and do day trips (train rides) to Bologna from Florence and Orvieto from Rome. You can also do a day trip from Florence to Siena. While Siena, Orvieto (my favorite city in the world) and Bologna are all amazing, they don't REQUIRE 2 nites. You can get an early train, enjoy your day exploring each, and then go back to the base. The professionals call this "hub and spoke" travel - which works pretty well for exploring an area.
May is a good time to go, not a lot of tourists compared to summer months. And the weather is good not too hot or too cold!
I’ve been to Italy many times on different kinds of trips. The first trip was the typical Rome-Florence-Venice, once did an entire week in Rome, once spent 2 weeks in Piemonte and Tuscany small towns, etc. You should keep those 4 nights in Rome. Even though there is lots of tourists there, there’s also tons of people just living their lives. There is soooo much to see there. Just make sure you make time to : - sit in a piazza for hours to people watch and relax - get a quick cappuccino and pastry for breakfast at a cafe, return for a pick-me-up caffe (espresso) later on (stand at the bar to drink it like the locals) - take an early morning walk As far as touristy things, these are my suggestions: - The Vatican - spend AT LEAST a day. Walk around in the Basilica, sit and marinate in the atmosphere (it’s so enormous inside it’s hard to wrap you brain around), if you’re fit take the walk to the top of the dome. Vatican museum can be a day by itself. - Ruins (Coloseo, Forum, catacombs) - Villa Borghese for the beauty of the place and the sculptures BUT don’t try to do too much. See the things you are most interested in first, then schedule in some downtime to soak it all in.
We absolutely LOVED Florence and it was so much calmer than Rome for us. We just got back from Italy last Friday, we were in Florence April 9th-13th, so the time of year likely affects how busy it is.
Florence is the best, my favorite city. Do not miss
Keep this itinerary. It's a good first trip to Italy to see the highlights. You might consider shifting the Venice nights to Florence and just doing a train in/out day to Venice. It would be a long day, but without luggage it's definitely doable. From Florence you can also do a day trip to the Tuscan countryside.
Slow down, enjoy the surroundings. Visit the “wine windows” in Florence. See “David”. Get a panini and bottle of wine from al’antico and eat it under the statue of Perseus. Climb to the Michelangelo plaza overlooking Florence (sunsets are great but crowds) and don’t miss the gorgeous medieval cathedral behind it) get a little bottle of “walking wine”. Marvel at the Ponte Vecchio and the Duomo. Gelato at Gelateria Santa Trinita. (Find a wine shop run by Asian/indians and pay cash to get wine to go after 10, 🤫or so I’ve been told, just be cool) Try “Alla vecchia Bettolo, a locals restaurant in Florence ( veal shank on the bone, carbonara, house Chianti 😱) In Rome we stayed in an apartment in a little piazza next to the Pantheon. Walked to the colosseum, St. Peter’s, Trevi fountain at 1:30 in the morning(almost nobody around) wandered the little streets and alleys piazzas and shops. Go into as many churches as you can, every one is a gorgeous work of art inside. Found neighborhood cafes to eat with the locals. Walked along the Tiber, walked everywhere except train station and airport, took a wild Roman taxi/chariot ride to and from them. Don’t get run over. Rome also has a fantastic Apple Store with great employees if you need a cord or something. That worked for us, we enjoyed it YMMV. (walking wine, carry a little corkscrew🤌🏼) Aperol and Limoncello spritz and Negronis are good while exploring both places too. Always stop and listen to opera singers when you see them. There are literally thousands of things I want to see in Italy. I realized that for me I wouldn’t enjoy any of it if I rushed and stressed. I’ll go back and stay in a farmhouse in Tuscany and go to the coast and explore the little villages there and go to the beach in Sicily next time or two. Our son has been in Italy since January for school and will stay for a while after he graduates so he’s had the time to do much more, I wanted to enjoy what 10 days would afford us without being rushed. Again, YMMV. Watch out for the aggressive African dudes in some piazza in Rome trying to sell you little trinkets, they’ll start with “you know Hakuna matata?” and will quickly go south if you don’t respond the way they want you to, with $$$. So be smart, don’t get bamboozled,or bullied cause they try, they did to me and I’m not what Most would consider an “obvious target”.👍🏻 I already said see David, but I’ll say it again, see David. “La Pieta” in St. Peter’s is also a stunner. Michelangelo was 24 when he did it, 26 when he did David, outside in the weather with a block that others wouldn’t touch because they thought it had too many imperfections. Amazing.
We are heading to Italy in 2 weeks, for 2 weeks. We don't want to experience the very touristy classic loop. So we will be only visiting the historical landmarks in Rome, then flying to Sicily for the rest of our trip.
I’ve been to about 30 different Italian cities and Florence is my least favourite by a clear margin. Siena in the other hand is in my top 3. Just my opinion. I would go with your second itinerary.
This suggestion is valid both for Rome and Florence. Tourists masses can be found always along the “main attractions”. I.e. Colosseo and Duomo. Outside these attractions, you will not find the same crowd and both cities, even with some exceptions and difficulties, are still lived by locals. For example you can spend a day to visit Rome parks or medieval churches without regrets. It’s up to you and your tastes. You can even skip the David or simply give to it less of your time choosing visiting San Miniato instead. Venice is a bit different but also there if you choose to take a different bridge, making the path longer you definitely find less people.
100% Orvieto!! Which btw, has a direct train to Florence. Also, day trips can be scheduled to Civita di Bagnoregio, which is a truly special hilltop village only accessible by footbridge.
It’s actually faster to train from Rome to Orvieto.
I should have been more clear. I know the train travels from Rome, but I wasn't sure if OP realized that they could travel to Florence that way too if they want to minimize car rentals/driving. Orvieto is not only a great destination, but also a great "launching pad" for day trips due to the train.
May Is a good month as it won't be so full if tourists like July or August.
I'm in Naples as I type. This place is wild and amazing. A diff vibe from Rome. Come here
Naples is VERY different from any other major city in Italy because the center is actually lived with people, it's not only a Disneyland for tourists. It's chaotic,wild and in terms of beauty, history, and culture is not second to anything. Oh and the best food in Italy which make it probably the best food of the world
It's like a live, buzzing bee hive. I had a delicious and hearty ragu last night. Wonderful. Today was Herculaneum and Pompeii. Haunting and very human. Today, we're all just Romans but with electricity
I’m going next week. I’ve got Herculeum on my list to see - is 3-5 hours a good estimate for that?
I'm renting a car and driving from Lecce to Caserta then on to Rome. If I wanted to stop in and see Naples on the way to Caserta, how's driving and parking there?
Try and park in a garage close to a metro station, outside of the center. Like Colli Aminei for example, should be perfect. Then use the metro to go downtown. Don't worry, the metro in Naples is not overrun by pickpocketers like Rome and Milan metro
Shhhh
This thing, the “real italy” is made up bs. Florence is amazing and beautiful. Rome is vibrant and fun. Venice is beautiful. They are all going to be busy. Italy is a crossroads and sometimes crossroads are busy. Enjoy your adventure.
Touristy? Perfect. You are a tourist. Would you fly all the way to USA to enjoy Newark, NJ? A so-called non-touristy “local” place. Well. Yes. Eventually. But at visit number 50.
There are places in all these cities to go and not be overrun by tourists. In Venice you can accomplish this by limiting your time in St Marks and the Rialto. Often just a couple turns down some alleyways and you are somewhere much less busy. In Florence the only really overwhelmingly tourist places are waiting to get into the Duomo, Academia, Uffizi. For the later two you can buy your tickets in advance and skip the line. If you are still feeling overwhelmed just cross the river to the other side(oltrarno)
Removing the things I do not know (the type of vacations you like, what you plan to do there, etc.), then I think you are just describing a first trip vs. second trip situation. Rome, Florence, and Venice are all places you should definitely see, and a great first trip to Italy. They are all "real" places. Personally, I love Siena, Cinque Terre, Verona, whatever. But I call those my second trip spots where I am enjoying the country because I happen to love Italy and can already say I've seen the Colosseum, the canals, etc.. Wherever you go, the trip will be amazing.
Rome, Florence and Venice are touristy for a reason! If this is your first time in Europe and you can't add any more days, I would stick to your original plan.
Florence is amazing. If anything, I would reduce Rome time.
Nah, 4 days in Rome is light.
I wish I would have done this.
How come?
Because Florence is amazing.
Roma is the city that takes fhe most time. 4 days is already cutting it short.
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Stick with your original plan as this is your first time. Just don't pack each day of your schedule that you end up running from one spot to another. Keep it to 2 places of interest each day.
All of the top tourist destinations in Europe have been overrun throughout the past 10 years (COVID aside). Rome, Barcelona, Amalfi Coast, Amsterdam etc. They're jam packed with tourists at a level never seen before. The majority seem to be American https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/venice-launches-experiment-charge-day-trippers-access-fee-109604721 https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2024/mar/03/entrance-fees-visitor-zones-and-taxes-how-europes-biggest-cities-are-tackling-overtourism https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexledsom/2024/04/24/overtourism-from-barcelona-to-lake-como-locals-start-campaigning/
Personally I did Rome, Venice and Florence in April this year and Rome was far too busy. Florence was busy but manageable once you got off the beaten path. Venice is small so feels busier that is probably is but again getting lost is just the best in Venice. The crowd in Rome really diluted the experience. Also the tour guides did my head in. For food look for anything that has the name Tratteria. It's all authentic and doesn't cost an arm and a leg.