1 Week in Italy - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Italy Highlights Tour: Rome, Florence & Venice

Perfect for first-time visitors to Italy, this weeklong highlights trip ensures a well-rounded introduction to the must-see sights of Rome, Florence, and Venice. Throughout, you'll tour the Colosseum, admire works by Leonardo da Vinci in the Uffizi Gallery, and marvel at the Basilica San Marco's intricate mosaics. Plus, with a pizza-making masterclass, a visit to a Tuscan winery for lunch, and a cicchetti and wine tour on the agenda, you'll also have plenty of time to savor authentic Italian cuisine.

Welcome to Italy! Your adventure begins in Rome, where, after checking in and refreshing at your accommodation, you'll delve into Italian cuisine during a guided food tour through Campo de Fiori, the Jewish Quarter, and Trastevere. Spend the following morning visiting the Colosseum, admiring the Roman Forum's ruins, and pondering the sprawling city from Palatine Hill. However, be mindful of time, as the afternoon brings an opportunity to learn the art of authentic Italian pizza making in a masterclass. Then, pack your bags and wave farewell to Rome as you zip to Florence on a high-speed train.

Upon arrival in Florence, dedicate the late afternoon to exploring the city's famous sites, including Piazza del Duomo and Galleria dell'Accademia. Then, spend the following day in the vineyard-dotted Chianti Hills, where you'll taste iconic wines and a typical Tuscan lunch. That evening, tick off a few more city highlights during a self-guided walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo before continuing by train to Venice, the final destination. While here, visit Piazza San Marco independently, explore by gondola, and round off your stay with a memorable cicchetti (Venice tapas) and wine tour. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Rome, Naples & the Amalfi Coast

Explore Rome's highlights and laze on the Amalfi Coast on this itinerary specially crafted for travelers interested in historic wonders and picturesque landscapes. Notable excursions include a tour of the Colosseum, a stop for a short hike on Mount Vesuvius, and a trip to Capri to explore independently. In between, overnight in Naples and ponder the ancient city of Pompeii.

After arriving in Rome and refreshing at your hotel in the historic center, your weeklong trip begins with a private city tour that includes the Spanish Steps, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and Piazza Navona. Embark on another guided excursion the following day, this time to the Colosseum and up Palatine Hill, before rounding off your stay in Rome with a leisurely evening to sip a spritz in the Piazza della Madonna dei Monti. Next, board a train bound for Naples and spend your day diving into the city's decadent food during a culinary tour through your guide's favorite restaurants. 

Midway through your trip, it's time to transfer to the Amalfi Coast for a three-night stay. En route, stop in Pompeii to ponder an ancient city frozen in time and in Mount Vesuvius National Park for a short hike. Then, after a relaxing first evening on the Amalfi Coast, you'll hop over to the island of Capri for a day of independent exploration. Lastly, your final full day includes a guided tour through the picturesque town of Amalfi, a leisurely lunch at a scenic lemon farm, and free time for kayaking, hiking, or unwinding on a secluded beach. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Tuscany Road Trip: Florence, Siena & Montepulciano

Unwind while sipping wine and hopping between beautiful cities and quaint villages on this Tuscany-focused road trip. Ideal for travelers who enjoy the freedom a rental car provides, you'll make your way from Florence to Siena and onward to Montepulciano. Memorable highlights include a day trip to the hilltop town of Monteriggioni, a stop by the Utopian Renaissance town of Pienza, and a Tuscany wine-tasting experience.

Before collecting your rental car, your trip begins with two days in the architecturally beautiful city of Florence, where you'll meander through the Boboli Gardens and sip Tuscan wine. While in Florence, you'll also join a walking tour through the historic center and Galleria dell'Accademia and savor an aperitivi in Piazza Santo Spirito. Next, pick up your rental car and drive south to Siena, your base for two nights. During your first day, explore the Museo Archeologico di Siena and Museo dell'Opera Metropolitana independently, and sit down for a delightful afternoon of wine tasting. 

Next, embrace the freedom of your rental car during a day trip to San Gimignano and Monteriggioni. The following morning, detour to Pienza, celebrated as the "ideal city of the Renaissance," to admire its quaint grandeur and continue to Montepulciano. Once you've reached Montepulciano and refreshed at your hotel, head out to stroll through Piazza Grande and Palazzo Comunale independently. Then, enjoy a wine cellar tour and tasting experience the following day before driving to Florence to return your rental car and catch your onward flight. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Best of Sicily: Palermo, Taormina & Catania

Discover layers of history, storied architecture, and decadent foods on this best-of-Sicily adventure. Crafted for travelers looking to dedicate their time to Italy's largest island, you'll spend two days each in Palermo, Taormina, and Catania. Highlights throughout include a hike up Mount Etna, a Sicilian cooking masterclass, and a visit to a family-run winery.

Your Sicilian adventure kicks off in its regional capital of Palermo, where any lingering travel fatigue will quickly fade as you explore the storied Palazzo dei Normanni and dine on fresh seafood. Then, eager to delve deeper into the city's sights and culture, you'll split the following day between a thrilling Segway tour and a Sicilian cooking masterclass. Bid farewell to Palermo on the morning of Day 3 and transfer to the charming hilltop town of Taormina. During your first evening here, tour the world-famous Teatro Greco amphitheater, learn the secrets of cannolo making, and sip an apertivo in Piazza IX Aprile.

Of course, there's no denying the looming presence of Mount Etna from Taormina, and the next day, you'll conquer its barren slopes during a guided hike around its crater. Then, after a well-earned leisurely evening back in Taormina, your trip continues to Catania. Over two days here, you'll find time to tour the UNESCO-listed Monastero dei Benedettini, soak up the atmosphere of Piazza Università, and join a half-day food tour led by a local foodie. Lastly, celebrate your Sicilian sojourn over dinner at a local restaurant along Via Etnea before catching your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Dolomites High Traverse: Hut-to-Hut Hiking in Italy

Hiking enthusiasts looking for a challenge will find this multiday trek through the Italian Dolomites the ideal fit. Forget about big cities and instead dedicate your week to hiking from the alpine village of San Candido to Selva-Wolkenstein, and spend your nights unwinding in scenic mountain rifugios. Memorable landscapes along the way include the Tre Cime di Lavaredo peaks, Lago di Braies, Fanes-Senes-Braies Natural Park, and plenty more. 

Upon arriving in San Candido, an alpine town tucked among the Dolomites, you'll get straight to it, with a short hike up to a cozy rifugio (mountain hut) on the agenda. Wake up to the musical sounds of nature the following morning, indulge in a hearty breakfast, and continue your multiday trek to Rifugio Locatelli. During this three-hour hike, you'll pass through the famed Torre di Toblin and enter the Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Three Peaks of Lavaredo). Follow a similar routine the next day, but this time, you'll traverse a relatively downhill trail to the idyllic plains of Prato Piazza, where you'll spend the night.

Over the following three days, you'll trek all the way to San Silvestro Valley and end your adventure in the village of Selva-Wolkenstein. Along the way, you'll spend your nights in rifugios, including one nestled next to Braies Lake, one tucked in the expansive Valun de Fanes meadow, and the fancier Gardenaccia Rifugio. You'll also trek through Cavallo Pass, meander through Fanes-Senes-Braies Natural Park, and stop for a bite to eat in the ski village of La Villa Stern. Then, after crossing the finish line of your trek, wrap up the active week with a transfer to Trento. Learn more

More Great 1-Week Italy Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Italy? Check out these other one-week Italy itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.