16-Day Italy Itinerary: Rome, Venice, Florence & the Amalfi Coast
Rome, Venice, Florence, Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast · Day 0 through Day 16
16-day itinerary · Traveled July 2024 · Posted September 2026
Trip length
Day 0 – Day 16
Bases
Rome · Venice · Florence · Maiori
Nights
5 · 2 · 5 · 3
Getting around
Trains, vaporetto & ferries
An Italian journey from city streets to the sea
Italy is a trip worth giving room to unfold. This route starts with five nights in Rome, moves north for two nights in Venice and five in Florence, then finishes with three nights in Maiori on the Amalfi Coast. Ancient landmarks, art, cooking classes and Tuscan wine country give each stop a different rhythm, with beach time waiting at the end.
For David Inflight readers who want an ambitious trip without changing hotels every night, these four bases keep the route manageable. Trains connect the cities; ferries become part of the experience on the coast. The days are full, but a few open stretches leave space for another espresso, a return to a favorite piazza or a slower afternoon.
Begin with the city on foot: Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. That first walk introduces the Rome you can enjoy between reservations, where the route to a landmark is part of the pleasure. Keep arrival day flexible enough to account for the flight, then spend the evening around Trastevere or settle into dinner at Da Fabrizio 56.
Trevi Fountain, Rome
The next few days give the major sights their own space. Pair the Colosseum with the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, set aside another morning for the Vatican, and use the quieter gaps for the Borghese Gardens, Pincio Terrace and the Aventine Hill keyhole. A final open day makes it easier to revisit Trevi Fountain without feeling that every hour belongs to a ticket.
The Colosseum through the umbrella pines
Venice changes the pace
Arriving by train and continuing by vaporetto makes the transition to Venice feel immediate. With Hotel Ambassador Tre Rose as the base, the plan combines St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace with canalside wandering, a gondola ride and the views around Rialto. Murano and Burano add another layer if your arrival-day energy and ferry connections allow.
The Rialto Bridge, Venice
Two nights call for choices. Give the landmark tour its full morning, then let the smaller stops shape the afternoon: Scala Contarini del Bovolo, Ponte dell’Accademia, Santa Maria della Salute and Libreria Acqua Alta. If the island outing becomes a long day, save some of the central sights for the following afternoon.
Florence is the base for art and Tuscany
Five nights in Florence let you mix the city’s major sights with time beyond it. The Accademia and Duomo anchor one day, while a long excursion brings Pisa and Siena into the route. Another day belongs to Tuscany’s wineries. Back in Florence, cooking classes turn dinner into something to participate in, with pasta and tiramisu one evening and pizza and gelato on another.
Pisa, on the day trip from Florence
Leave room for the smaller pleasures too: a Fotoautomatica photo, an affogato at Vivoli, tiramisu at Pompi, the leather market and wine windows. A sunset visit to Piazzale Michelangelo offers a natural pause after a busy day. This is also the longest stay, so it is a good place to reset before the coast.
Finish with Maiori and days on the water
The final stretch heads south by train to Salerno and onward by ferry to Maiori. Residence Panoramic becomes the base for three nights, with a local beach afternoon followed by outings to Capri and Positano. After the museum entries and city walks, the focus shifts to boat departures, swims and unhurried meals.
Positano from the beach
The coast still rewards planning. A Capri boat day and a Positano beach day both depend on transport connections, and the return journey to FCO starts early. Keep the final evening easy, organize luggage in advance and leave enough margin between the coast, the train and the flight home.
Make the route your own
Keep the four hotel bases and adjust the busiest days to your travel style. Rome has room for a second look, Venice benefits from selective sightseeing, Florence mixes city time with excursions, and Maiori gives the trip a coastal finish. Book the experiences you care about most, then let the open hours remain open.
Day by day itinerary
Use the times below as a sample daily rhythm drawn from this route, not as current timetables or confirmed reservations. Recheck train and ferry departures, tour meeting points, admission requirements and hotel policies for your own trip. Walking times are approximate. When a day feels crowded, prioritize the booked activity and keep the remaining stops flexible.
Day 0
Home Airport to FCO
Begin with an overnight flight to Rome so you can start exploring the following day.
Flight
Home Airport to Rome Fiumicino (FCO).
Timing
An evening departure fits this route; plan around your own flight and connections.
Day 1
Arrive in Rome
Ease into Italy with a walk through Rome’s historic center. Keep the afternoon flexible after the overnight flight.
Arrival
Land at FCO and allow time for immigration and baggage collection.
Transfer
Arrange a late-morning Hertz airport-to-hotel transfer around your actual arrival.
Stay
Antica Locanda dell’Orso, Via dell’Orso 14. Check-in: 2:00 p.m. | Checkout: 11:00 a.m. Ask about luggage storage if arriving early.
Afternoon walk
Piazza Navona → Pantheon → Trevi Fountain → Chiesa di Sant’Ignazio di Loyola → Galleria Sciarra → Spanish Steps.
Pacing
Skip the church if the queue is long and shorten the walk if you need rest.
Evening
Explore Trastevere and plan dinner at Da Fabrizio 56 around 8:00 p.m.; adjust the order around your reservation.
Day 2
Ancient Rome and a late night out
Give ancient Rome the morning, then spend the afternoon around its lively piazzas before an optional late-night drink.
Outside the ground-floor Colosseo metro exit by the green kiosk, Piazza del Colosseo 21. Look for the yellow TOURIKS label; follow your own voucher’s instructions.
Afternoon
Piazza Venezia and Campo de’ Fiori.
11:00 p.m.
Optional Jerry Thomas Speakeasy reservation, Vicolo Cellini 30. Obtain current entry instructions directly with your booking.
Day 3
Gardens and viewpoints in Rome
Slow the pace with gardens, a possible rowboat outing and views over Rome.
Morning
Walk to the Borghese Gardens, approximately 38 minutes from the hotel.
In the gardens
Visit the Temple of Aesculapius and rent a rowboat if available.
Afternoon
Pincio Terrace, Piazza del Popolo and Via del Babuino.
Evening
Return to Trevi Fountain and explore the Monti district.
Day 4
Vatican sights and a Roman dinner
Reserve the morning for the Vatican, then leave room for lunch, riverside sights and a relaxed dinner.
Affiliate disclosure: Tour links in this post are David Inflight affiliate links through GetYourGuide and Viator. David Inflight may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.
