Itinerary Rome, Florence & Venice

May is an excellent season to visit Italy: pleasant spring temperatures, blooming gardens, long daylight hours, and fewer crowds than summer. Prime time for culture and gastronomy lovers!

💰 Budget overview

Category	Amount
✈️ Transport	$1,150
🏨 Accommodations	$2,600
🧳 Gear	$200
🗺️ On-site	$1,700
Total	$5,650

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🗺️ Activities & landmarks

🇮🇹 Rome - 4 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏛️ Colosseum & Roman Forum ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h)
  • Ancient amphitheater and imperial heart of Rome—pre-book tickets, go early.
• [ ] 🛕 Pantheon ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Masterpiece of antiquity, unique dome—free entry, go early morning.
• [ ] ⛲ Trevi Fountain ⭐⭐⭐ (~0.5h)
  • Landmark Baroque fountain—visit early morning or late evening for fewer crowds.
• [ ] 🏛️ Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel ⭐⭐⭐ (~4h)
  • World-renowned art, Michelangelo’s frescoes—book online, dress modestly.
• [ ] 🏛️ St. Peter's Basilica ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Iconic Renaissance church—climb dome for views.
• [ ] 🏛️ Piazza Navona ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Famous square, street artists & fountains—try gelato nearby.
• [ ] 🌳 Villa Borghese Gardens & Galleria Borghese ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Elegant park and exceptional art collection—advance booking needed.
• [ ] 🏙️ Trastevere neighborhood ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Picturesque lanes, authentic eateries.
• [ ] 🏛️ Castel Sant’Angelo ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Fortress with panoramic terrace—sunset recommended.
• [ ] 🏛️ Campo de’ Fiori Market ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Vibrant local market—great for tasting street food.
• [ ] 🏛️ Capitoline Museums ⭐ (~2h)
  • Rome’s civic museums—sculptures, Renaissance paintings.
• [ ] 🏙️ Testaccio neighborhood ⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Foodie district, local vibe—explore trattorias.
• [ ] 🎨 MAXXI (Museum of 21st Century Art) ⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Cutting-edge Italian artists.
• [ ] 🛍️ Via del Corso & Spanish Steps ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Shopping, people-watching.
• [ ] 🌳 Appian Way & Catacombs ⭐ (~2h)
  • Ancient road, underground tombs—guided tour recommended.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Bar del Fico ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Trendy bar, lively piazza—popular for aperitivo & people-watching.
• [ ] 🍸 Freni e Frizioni ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Cool cocktails, tapas, bustling Trastevere vibe.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Mercato Centrale Roma ⭐⭐⭐
  • Gourmet food stalls—sample pasta, fritti, pizza (from $10).
• [ ] 🍜 Armando al Pantheon ⭐⭐
  • Classic trattoria—carbonara, amatriciana ($30–40 per meal).

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Janiculum Hill (Gianicolo) (~1h)
  • Panoramic viewpoint above Trastevere.
• [ ] 🏛️ Basilica di San Clemente (~1.5h)
  • Three-layered church—history buffs’ favorite.

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🇮🇹 Florence - 3 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏛️ Florence Cathedral (Il Duomo) & Dome climb ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Iconic dome, city view—book climb in advance.
• [ ] 🎨 Uffizi Gallery ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h)
  • Botticelli, Leonardo—must-book tickets months ahead.
• [ ] 🏛️ Accademia Gallery (David by Michelangelo) ⭐⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Home of Michelangelo’s David—early slots best.
• [ ] 🏙️ Piazza della Signoria & Palazzo Vecchio ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Political center, Renaissance sculptures.
• [ ] 🌉 Ponte Vecchio ⭐⭐ (~0.5h)
  • Historic goldsmith bridge—visit around sunset.
• [ ] 🌳 Boboli Gardens ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Renaissance gardens, city panoramas.
• [ ] 🏙️ Oltrarno neighborhood ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Artisan workshops, local eateries.
• [ ] 🌳 Piazzale Michelangelo ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Best panoramic views of Florence—sunset highly recommended.
• [ ] 🏛️ Basilica di Santa Croce ⭐ (~1h)
  • Resting place of Italian luminaries.
• [ ] 🎨 Museo Novecento ⭐ (~1h)
  • Modern Italian art.
• [ ] 🛍️ San Lorenzo Market ⭐ (~1h)
  • Leather goods, food stalls.
• [ ] 🏙️ Via de' Tornabuoni ⭐ (~0.5h)
  • Luxury shopping.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Rasputin ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Hidden cocktail bar—reservation recommended.
• [ ] 🍸 Locale Firenze ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Stylish design, innovative drinks.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Mercato Centrale Firenze ⭐⭐⭐
  • Classic specialties—lampredotto, homemade pasta ($10–20).
• [ ] 🍜 Trattoria Mario ⭐⭐
  • Legendary Florentine steak ($25–40).

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏛️ Bargello Museum (~1h)
  • Renaissance sculpture collection.

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🇮🇹 Venice - 3 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏛️ Piazza San Marco & St. Mark's Basilica ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Venice’s heart—basilica entry, mosaics, climb the campanile.
• [ ] 🏛️ Doge's Palace ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Gothic palace, Bridge of Sighs—pre-book tickets.
• [ ] 🏙️ Grand Canal & Vaporetto ride ⭐⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Essential Venice experience; line #1 for a scenic route.
• [ ] 🎨 Peggy Guggenheim Collection ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • 20th-century masterpieces.
• [ ] 🏙️ Rialto Bridge & Market ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Best for photos and local produce.
• [ ] 🍃 Dorsoduro district ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Galleries, calmer backstreets.
• [ ] 🏛️ Scuola Grande di San Rocco ⭐ (~1h)
  • Tintoretto’s dramatic works.
• [ ] 🌳 Giardini della Biennale ⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Spacious park, art pavilions if coinciding with Biennale.
• [ ] ⛴️ Murano & Burano Islands ⭐⭐ (~3–4h)
  • Glassmaking, lace, colourful houses—day trip by ferry.
• [ ] 🛍️ Mercerie & boutique shopping ⭐ (~1h)
  • Venetian masks, artisanal goods.
• [ ] 🏙️ Cannaregio district ⭐ (~1h)
  • Jewish Ghetto, authentic eateries.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🎻 Teatro La Fenice ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Legendary opera house—attend a performance if possible.
• [ ] 🍸 Harry’s Bar ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Birthplace of the Bellini—chic but pricey.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Trattoria Al Gatto Nero (Burano) ⭐⭐⭐
  • Legendary seafood risotto, canal views ($40–60).
• [ ] 🍜 Osteria Alla Madonna ⭐⭐
  • Venice classic—fresh seafood, traditional cicchetti.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏛️ Ca’ Rezzonico (~1h)
  • Museum of 18th-century Venice—beautiful interiors.

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🎬 Films & series to watch

🇮🇹 Rome

• [ ] 🎬 La Dolce Vita (1960) — ⭐ 8.0 — Iconic Fellini film, Roman high society — Amazon Prime
• [ ] 🎬 Angels & Demons (2009) — ⭐ 6.7 — Vatican intrigue set in landmark Roman sites — Netflix
• [ ] 📺 Suburra (2017) — ⭐ 8.1 — Rome's underworld drama — Netflix

🇮🇹 Florence

• [ ] 🎬 A Room with a View (1985) — ⭐ 7.2 — Edwardian romance in Florence — Amazon Prime
• [ ] 🎬 Inferno (2016) — ⭐ 6.2 — Dan Brown adaptation, Florentine chases — Netflix

🇮🇹 Venice

• [ ] 🎬 Don’t Look Now (1973) — ⭐ 7.1 — Haunting psychological thriller set in Venice — Amazon Prime
• [ ] 🎬 The Tourist (2010) — ⭐ 6.0 — Glamorous Hollywood mystery through Venice’s canals — Netflix
• [ ] 📺 Commissario Brunetti (2000–) — ⭐ 7.7 — Venice-based detective series — MHz Choice

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🍜 Local specialties

🇮🇹 Rome

• [ ] Carbonara
• [ ] Cacio e Pepe
• [ ] Supplì (fried risotto balls)

🇮🇹 Florence

• [ ] Bistecca alla Fiorentina
• [ ] Lampredotto (tripe sandwich)
• [ ] Ribollita (Tuscan bread soup)

🇮🇹 Venice

• [ ] Cicchetti (Venetian tapas)
• [ ] Sarde in saor (sweet and sour sardines)
• [ ] Risotto al nero di seppia (squid ink risotto)

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📍 Maps - places to pin

🇮🇹 Rome

1. 🌤️ Colosseum
2. 🌙 Bar del Fico
3. 🛍️ Via del Corso
4. 🏨 Hotel de Russie
5. 🍽️ Mercato Centrale Roma

🇮🇹 Florence

1. 🌤️ Duomo (Cathedral of Florence)
2. 🌙 Rasputin
3. 🛍️ San Lorenzo Market
4. 🏨 c-hotels Ambasciatori
5. 🍽️ Mercato Centrale Firenze

🇮🇹 Venice

1. 🌤️ St. Mark’s Basilica
2. 🌙 Teatro La Fenice
3. 🛍️ Mercerie
4. 🏨 Ca’ Pisani Hotel
5. 🍽️ Trattoria Al Gatto Nero

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✈️ Transport to book

• [ ] ✈️ London → Rome
• [ ] 🚅 Rome → Florence
• [ ] 🚅 Florence → Venice
• [ ] ✈️ Venice → London

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🏨 Accommodations

City	Nights	Accommodation	Price
Rome	4	Hotel de Russie	$1,040
Florence	3	c-hotels Ambasciatori	$780
Venice	3	Ca’ Pisani Hotel	$780
Total	10		$2,600