Italy Itinerary: 10 Days in Italy Trip Plan
By Parker Villas
With everything going on in the world, you deserve that dream vacation to Italy you’ve wanted. Whether you’re an art fanatic, a history buff, a beach lover, or just want to experience one of the most beautiful countries in the world, Italy is for you.
With that in mind, you’ll want to have a plan before you go so that you’re able to maximize your experience and have the best trip possible. Remember, though, that no matter how you spend your trip to Italy, it will undoubtedly be an incredible experience and a vacation you will never forget.
One of the best ways to see Italy is by renting a car and exploring this beautiful country by car. The drives through scenic Italy are among some of the picturesque you will ever go on. Take in the views, see all the amazing colors, and experience the country the way it was meant to be seen.
Since travel arrangements will vary widely between visitors and can easily span a day or two, travel days are excluded from this itinerary. Remember that these locations and activities are ordered so that you can easily move from one to the other with a relatively short drive (or train ride) between destinations instead of having to figure out the best route on your own.
So without further adieu, let’s look at the best way to spend 10 days in Italy.
If you’ve ever traveled long distances, you’ll know how exhausting the experience can be. So, if you’ve been traveling for a day or two, what better way to start your Italian excursion than relaxing on the beautiful beaches along the Amalfi Coast?
Along the Amalfi Coast, you’ll find breathtaking views, delicious restaurants, beautiful cities, and an endless shoreline of Italian beaches. With all the small coastal towns along the coast, you can dive straight into authentic Italian culture while you soak up the sun, no matter where you stay along the coast.
Sitting on the southern coast of Italy, the Amalfi coast will offer you a different experience than the northern beaches — which you’ll be visiting towards the end of your 10-day trip — so it’s an absolute must and a great place to start your vacation.
After relaxing on the coast, head just over an hour north, and you’ll reach Naples and the ancient ruins of Pompeii. The ruins at Pompeii show the ancient remains of the destruction caused by Mount Vesuvius’s eruption nearly 2,000 years ago in 79 A.D. You’re free to explore the city on your own or sign up for a guided tour if you’re a true history buff.
After exploring Pompeii, head to nearby Naples for your second day. Naples is flush with museums to explore, pizzerias to try, and beautiful architecture to see and explore.
While you’re in the area, feel free to also check out other nearby areas, including Sorrento and Capri. The cities in this region are all fairly similar and nearby, so stay in whichever one you prefer, and you’ll still be able to easily experience them all.
Rome is an absolute must on any Italy itinerary. After leaving Naples, you’ll have about 2 ½ hours of driving through beautiful central Italy until you come upon Rome. Even with two days dedicated to exploring Rome as much as possible, you won’t be able to see and do everything. Rome could be an entire 10-day trip on its own!
You’ll want to do as much sightseeing as possible for your first day in Rome. Rome houses some of the most famous historical buildings you won’t want to miss. Be sure to make time to take an audio tour through the Colosseum as well as visit the Pantheon.
While you’re at it, you’ll definitely want to check out the Roman Forum and the Trevi Fountain. Along the way to all these incredible places, you’ll find several other exciting places that are worth taking the time to explore. These are just the ones you don’t want to miss.
For your second day in Rome, you’ll still have a full palette of amazing places to see and do, but let’s hit the big ones you don’t want to skip out on. A tour through the Vatican is necessary if you’re in Rome.
While you could tour the Vatican alone and have a great time, we suggest a guided tour for the full experience. On a guided tour, you will also be able to explore the Vatican further. During the tour, you’ll see Michelangelo’s masterpiece at the Sistine Chapel and the architectural beauty of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Once you’re finished with your Vatican tour, consider checking out some of the incredible art in the area by visiting the Borghese art gallery. Finish your stay in Rome by visiting the Trastevere neighborhood for more amazing architecture and gourmet food you won’t soon forget.
One of the most beautiful regions in the country, Tuscany offers some of the most picturesque landscapes you can imagine. The final destination will be Florence, the capital city of Tuscany, only about three hours from Rome by car. But you’ll quickly realize while we suggest a day road-tripping through the region and seeing all that you can see.
Spend your day driving through the region’s picturesque countryside, stopping anywhere along the way that catches your fancy. Whether you want to take in the beautiful landscapes, explore the rolling hills, or visit hilltop villages, a drive through Tuscany is a great way to spend a day.
Consider heading to Montaione, which is in the center of the Tuscan region. A small city in the gorgeous countryside of Tuscany, Montaione offers visitors an escape from the hustle and bustle of big cities. Book a stay at the Castellare di Tonda Tuscany Country Resort and Spa to spend your evenin
After you’ve taken in the amazing views in the area on day 5, you may have chosen to stay in Florence or one of the smaller nearby cities. No matter which, make your way to Florence and get ready for a fun-filled day.
Florence is a city focused on art and architecture, and it will provide you with some of the most incredible views of buildings you’ll ever see. While in Florence, you won’t miss out on touring the Uffizi Gallery or checking out the Florence Cathedral known as Duomo. The incredible building will leave you in awe as you take in its size and beauty.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa does not require anywhere near a full day to see. So, on day 7, you should finish seeing or doing anything in Florence and Tuscany that you haven’t had a chance to do yet. The drive from Florence to Pisa is just over an hour, so don’t feel rushed about heading there first thing.
One of the most famous attractions in all of Italy is the Leaning Tower of Pisa. While we suggest checking it out just because of how well-known and unique it is, don’t expect it to be a full day’s worth of activity. The tower is worth seeing, but expect heavy crowds during popular times of the year.
Remember above when we mentioned that you’d be visiting the coast of northern Italy later in your trip? That day is finally here! From Pisa, you’ll have about an hour and a half drive to arrive at Cinque Terre.
Cinque Terre is one of northern Italy’s most famous coastal areas due to its sheer beauty and picturesque views of the Mediterranean Sea. Composed of five fishing villages, this coastal region is known for its colorful buildings and welcoming atmosphere. If you have the time, try visiting all five villages—Corniglia, Manarola, Monterosso, Riomaggiore, and Vernazza—to get the full experience.
We suggest ending your day in Monterosso for the best beach experience and unique views. You’ll find a gorgeous coastline and an incredible view of all the other fishing villages when they are lit up at night.
The longest drive of your trip will also be your last. Getting from Cinque Terre to your final destination in Venice will take about four hours. You can make the drive on Day 8 or Day 9, depending on whether you want a few extra hours at Cinque Terre or Venice.
Before you spend the last day of your trip relaxing on slow gondola rides through the city, spend your first day in Venice enjoying the beautiful city. Although water buses are a popular way to get around, we suggest walking on this day to take it all in. A small and compact city, Venice can get busy, but you should have no problem avoiding the crowds by spending more time walking the less traveled roads.
Sitting right on the water, Venice is known for its fresh, delicious seafood, so be sure to try that out when you get hungry after your day of exploration.
Your last day in Italy, so let’s make it a good one. You’ll want to pick up wherever you left off on Day 9 before you call it a night.
As fun as the trip has been, you might start feeling exhausted from all the activities you’ve enjoyed over the last nine days. There’s no better way to cap off an unforgettable Italian experience than by taking gondola rides through the beautiful canals of Venice.
About as authentic Venetian as you can get, gondola rides can be some of the most romantic activities you’ll ever do with your loved one. If your trip isn’t a romantic one, don’t worry. The views you get from the canals will be a unique experience you wouldn’t be able to get anywhere else.
• Day 1: Arrive in Rome
• Day 2: Rome
• Day 3: Florence
• Day 4: Florence
• Day 5: Venice
• Day 6: Venice
• Day 7: Cinque Terre
• Day 8: Amalfi Coast
• Day 9: Amalfi Coast
• Day 10: Depart Italy
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