Short answer: this is the classic first-trip loop. You’ll see ancient Rome, Renaissance Florence, and dreamy Venice without sprinting—and still keep a few slow moments for gelato, sunset views, and wandering.

Who this is for: first-timers who want a simple, realistic plan with minimal hotel changes and easy train transfers.

Trip Snapshot (Why this route works)

• Pacing: 3 nights Rome → 2 nights Florence → 2 nights Venice
• Transfers: high-speed trains (no car needed)
• Best seasons: April–June, September–October (longer daylight, manageable crowds)
• Good to know: prebook only the big-ticket entries; leave breathing room elsewhere

You’ll book in advance: Colosseum/Forum (timed), Vatican Museums (timed), Uffizi or Accademia (choose one), and your Rome→Florence & Florence→Venice train seats.

Day 1 — Rome Arrival & Ancient Core (light but iconic)

• AM / Arrival: Check in (or bag drop). Power walk the Centro Storico: Piazza Navona → Pantheon (free, quick look) → Trevi Fountain → Spanish Steps.
• PM: Early dinner near Monti (lots of trattorie).
• Evening: Stroll Via dei Fori Imperiali for a night view of the Forum/Colosseum.

Timing tip: Keep today flexible. Drink water, walk gently, sleep on time.

Day 2 — Colosseum, Roman Forum & Trastevere

• AM (booked): Colosseum timed entry as early as you can; then walk the Roman Forum & Palatine Hill loop (same ticket).
• Lunch: Quick panino or pizza al taglio; you’ll be hungry after the Forum hike.
• PM: Cross the Tiber for Trastevere—Santa Maria in Trastevere, backstreets, gelato.
• Evening: Aperitivo + dinner in Trastevere; return by taxi/ride-hail if feet are done.

Smart move: If “ancient stuff” is your dream, consider an underground/arena-floor add-on at the Colosseum when booking.

Day 3 — Vatican Highlights & Castel Sant’Angelo Sunset

• AM (booked): Vatican Museums at opening; do a highlights route (Sistine Chapel near the end).
• Late AM: St. Peter’s Basilica (free); optionally climb the dome for views.
• PM: Coffee on Via Cola di Rienzo or a gelato near Borgo Pio.
• Sunset: Castel Sant’Angelo bridge photos, then a slow city walk back.

Alternate Day 3: If art fatigue hits, swap Vatican AM for Borghese Gallery (timed) + picnic in Villa Borghese.

Day 4 — Train to Florence (≈90 min) + Golden Hour Views

• AM: Frecciarossa from Roma Termini → Firenze SMN (book seats; pick mid-morning).
• Check-in / Lunch: Drop bags, quick schiacciata.
• PM: Duomo exterior walk (skip climbing today), Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio.
• Sunset: Piazzale Michelangelo for the postcard view of Florence and the Arno.

Local rhythm: Dinner rarely before 7:30–8:00 pm; reservations help on weekends.

Day 5 — Uffizi Morning, Oltrarno Afternoon

• AM (booked): Uffizi Gallery—pick a 2-hour highlights route (Botticelli, Leonardo, Michelangelo).
• Lunch: Cross to Oltrarno (artisan workshops, quieter lanes).
• PM: Santa Croce or a small church/museum of your choice; gelato near Via dei Neri.
• Evening: Wine bar or trattoria; keep it relaxed.

Swap option: If your heart is set on David, book Accademia instead of Uffizi (do one major museum well).

Day 6 — Train to Venice (≈2 h) + San Marco Early Evening

• AM: Frecciarossa from Firenze SMN → Venezia S. Lucia (sit on the right for lagoon approach).
• Check-in: Stay near a vaporetto stop to cut luggage hauling.
• PM: San Marco later afternoon (lighter crowds), then Rialto and tiny cicchetti bars.
• Evening: Vaporetto ride on the Grand Canal; let the city unfold.

Hotel tip: Venice rewards central, well-located stays more than big rooms. Proximity > square meters.

Day 7 — Dorsoduro & Islands (or Just Get Lost)

• AM: Dorsoduro: Accademia Bridge, Zattere promenade, Peggy Guggenheim (optional).
• Lunch: Canal-side bite; aim for simple, fresh seafood or cicchetti.
• PM (choose):
  • Islands: Murano/Burano hop (photogenic; allow 3–4 hours), or
  • Deep Venice: Pick a neighborhood and wander—no checklist, just doorways and bridges.
• Departure / Extra Night: If you’ve got one more evening, book a mellow lagoon sunset cruise or catch a classical concert.

Practicalities (the stuff that saves headaches)

Trains

• High-speed routes (Frecciarossa/Italo) don’t need validation; regional paper tickets do (at green machines).
• Arrive 15–20 min early; watch platform boards for binario changes.
• Keep a photo of your ticket/QR offline.

Luggage

• Medium suitcase + small daypack is easiest in stations and on bridges.
• On trains, use overhead racks or the carriage-end shelves; keep valuables on you.

Money & Phones

• Cards work widely; carry small cash for coffee bars.
• Consider an eSIM for data; download Google Maps offline for each city.

Dining

• Book popular places 1–2 weeks out.
• Bill comes when you ask for it (“Il conto, per favore”).
• Tipping is light: round up or leave a euro or two for good service.

What to Book in Advance (and what not to)

Book early

• Colosseum/Forum combo (timed), Vatican Museums (timed)
• Uffizi or Accademia (choose your hero)
• Frecciarossa seats Rome→Florence, Florence→Venice
• A couple of dinners you’d be sad to miss

Book last-minute / on the day

• Gelato (always)
• Smaller churches, neighborhood walks, scenic viewpoints
• Grand Canal vaporetto rides (tap & go)

Variations (by interest)

• Families: Shorten museum time; add Borghese Gardens bikes and Venice mask-making workshops.
• Art lovers: Do Borghese Gallery in Rome + Uffizi in Florence; add Scuola Grande di San Rocco in Venice.
• Food-forward: Slot a Trastevere food tour, a Florence market lunch (Mercato Centrale/Sant’Ambrogio), and a Venice cicchetti crawl.
• Slow travelers: Add a day in Florence or Venice; skip the islands and explore one sestiere deeply.

Common Mistakes (and easy fixes)

• Over-booking museums: One big museum a day is plenty.
• Dragging huge luggage: Pack tighter; Venice has bridges.
• Skipping prebookings entirely: You’ll lose time at Colosseum/Vatican/Uffizi.
• Eating right at the sights: Walk 5–10 minutes off the main squares for better meals.

Budget Snapshot (very rough, per adult/day)

• Saver: €90–€140 (simple stays, casual meals, transit passes)
• Comfort: €150–€230 (midrange hotels, one sit-down meal/day, a few tickets)
• Treat: €250–€400+ (central hotels, special dinners, guided experiences)

Costs swing with season and location—Rome/Florence/Venice are the priciest.

Packing Shortlist

• Light layers + scarf (A/C in trains, cool church interiors)
• Comfortable walking shoes (stone streets)
• Small crossbody/anti-slash bag
• EU plug adapter (Type C/F; Italy also uses L in some places)
• Phone power bank

FAQs

Do I need skip-the-line everywhere?
No. Book timed entry for Colosseum, Vatican, and one Florence museum. The rest is judgment-based.

Is Sunday/Monday tricky for closures?
Yes—museums often close Monday; adjust big museums to Tue–Sun if possible.

Can I add Pisa or Siena?
Yes, but something must give. Use Day 5 afternoon or add a night in Florence.

Is Venice doable with kids?
Absolutely—keep walks short, ride vaporetti, and plan snack stops.

Where to Book (Official Sources & Handy Tools)

Trains & Intercity Transfers

• High-speed trains: Trenitalia (Frecciarossa) or Italo – book seats in advance for best times.
• Regional trains: Buy on the day; validate paper tickets before boarding.
• Apps / aggregator: Trenitalia, Italo; optional Trainline (adds fees but good UX).

Rome

• Colosseum / Roman Forum / Palatine: Official ticketing via CoopCulture (choose timed entry; consider arena/underground add-ons).
• Vatican Museums: Official site (pick the earliest slot you can manage).
• St. Peter’s Basilica Dome: Buy on-site (no official online sales for the dome).
• City pass (optional): Roma Pass—worth it only if it matches your plan.

Florence

• Uffizi / Accademia: Uffizi official tickets (for Uffizi) and Accademia official tickets—book a timed slot for one major museum.
• Duomo complex: Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore (official)—pick the combo that fits your time.

Venice

• Vaporetto (waterbus) passes: ACTV (official)—buy 24/48/72-hour passes depending on your plan.
• Doge’s Palace (optional add): MUVE (Venice Civic Museums) official site.
• St. Mark’s Basilica: Official site (paid reservation to skip the queue when available).

Restaurants

• Reservations: TheFork (Italy) works in many cities; otherwise book directly by site/phone or ask your hotel.

Tours (optional, small-group)

• Book only when it adds access or insight (e.g., Colosseum underground, early Vatican). Be wary of vague “skip-the-line” claims—use well-reviewed operators and confirm what’s actually included.

General tip: Prioritize official sites for core tickets to avoid markups. If a date is sold out, consider reputable resellers or guided tours that include official entry.