Best Time to Visit

April to June and September to October offer pleasant temperatures for sightseeing, fewer extremes of heat and comfortable conditions across Italy. July and August are warmer, busier and more expensive, especially in Rome, Venice and the Amalfi Coast.

Day 1 – Rome

Fly to Rome and arrive by afternoon or evening. Meet your airport transfer, check in at the hotel and relax for the evening.

Day 2 – Rome

Discover the spiritual, artistic and architectural landmarks of Rome and Vatican City.

• Vatican City – Explore St Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums on a guided tour.
• Leonardo da Vinci Museum – An interactive museum displaying working models inspired by Leonardo’s inventions and studies.
• Castel Sant’Angelo – A cylindrical riverside fortress built as Emperor Hadrian’s mausoleum and later used as a papal castle.
• Piazza Navona – An elegant Baroque square known for ornate fountains, street artists, cafés and restaurants.

Day 3 – Rome

Explore the enduring monuments and public squares of ancient and Baroque Rome.

• Colosseum – Rome’s monumental three-tiered amphitheatre, once used for gladiatorial contests, visited on a guided tour.
• Roman Forum – A guided walk through the excavated temples, basilicas and civic spaces at the heart of ancient Rome.
• Palatine Hill – Explore the atmospheric ruins of imperial palaces, temples and baths overlooking the Roman Forum.
• Pantheon – An exceptionally preserved Roman temple famed for its vast dome, open oculus and Renaissance tombs.
• Spanish Steps – A celebrated Baroque staircase connecting Piazza di Spagna with the Trinità dei Monti church.
• Trevi Fountain – Rome’s grand Rococo fountain, adorned with dramatic sculptures and fed by an ancient aqueduct.

Day 4 – Rome to Naples

Check out and travel by train to Naples. Check in at the hotel before exploring the historic city centre.

• Historic Centre of Naples – A UNESCO-listed maze of lively lanes, churches, palaces, pizzerias and artisan workshops.
• Naples Underground – Descend beneath the city to explore ancient Greek and Roman tunnels, aqueducts and chambers.
• Piazza del Plebiscito – Naples’ grand public square, framed by the Royal Palace and the Basilica of San Francesco di Paola.

Day 5 – Amalfi Coast

Enjoy a full-day excursion to three beautiful coastal towns before returning to Naples in the evening.

• Positano – A spectacular cliffside town of pastel houses, boutique-lined lanes and Mediterranean views.
• Sorrento – A charming town perched above the Bay of Naples, known for lemon groves, lively squares and sea views.
• Amalfi – A historic maritime town with a striking cathedral, narrow lanes and a picturesque waterfront.

Day 6 – Naples to Florence

Take a morning train from Naples to Florence, arrive by noon and check in at the hotel.

• Basilica of Santa Maria Novella – A landmark Dominican church celebrated for its patterned marble façade and Renaissance artworks.
• Piazzale Michelangelo – A panoramic hilltop square featuring a bronze replica of Michelangelo’s David and sweeping city views.
• Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore – Florence’s magnificent cathedral, crowned by Brunelleschi’s celebrated terracotta dome.

Day 7 – Florence to Venice

Continue exploring Florence before taking an evening train to Venice. Check in and relax at the hotel.

• Fountain of Neptune – An imposing 16th-century fountain in Piazza della Signoria honouring Florence’s maritime ambitions.
• Fontana del Porcellino – A popular bronze boar fountain traditionally believed to bring good luck to visitors.
• Pitti Palace – A vast Renaissance palace housing important art collections and the former apartments of Florence’s rulers.

Day 8 – Venice

Discover Venice’s grand squares, historic palaces, bridges and celebrated waterways.

• St Mark’s Square – Venice’s monumental central square, surrounded by ornate architecture and historic cafés.
• St Mark’s Basilica – A magnificent Italo-Byzantine cathedral renowned for its golden mosaics and domed interior.
• Doge’s Palace – The lavish Gothic palace that served as the residence and seat of government of Venice’s doges.
• Bridge of Sighs – An enclosed Baroque bridge that once connected the Doge’s Palace to the historic prison.
• Rialto Bridge – Venice’s iconic stone bridge spanning the Grand Canal amid shops and lively markets.
• Grand Canal Gondola Ride – Glide through Venice’s waterways aboard a traditional gondola past palaces and hidden canals.

Day 9 – Venice to Milan

Travel by train from Venice to Milan, check in at the hotel and explore the city.

• Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II – An elegant 19th-century glass-roofed arcade filled with luxury shops, restaurants and cafés.
• Navigli – Milan’s lively canal district, popular for evening aperitivo, restaurants and nightlife.

Day 10 – Milan

Explore Milan’s Gothic architecture, Renaissance heritage and renowned cultural landmarks.

• Duomo di Milano – One of the world’s largest cathedrals and an extraordinary Gothic masterpiece crowned by countless spires.
• Piazza Mercanti – An atmospheric medieval square once at the commercial heart of Milan.
• Santa Maria delle Grazie – A UNESCO-listed church and convent housing Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper.
• Sforza Castle – A vast medieval and Renaissance fortress containing museums, artworks and historic courtyards.
• Teatro alla Scala – One of the world’s most celebrated opera houses, renowned for its grand auditorium and musical heritage.

Day 11 – Return

Check out from the hotel and proceed to Milan Airport for your return flight.

Ready to Explore Italy?

Let Astral Trips customise this journey around your travel dates, interests and preferred pace.