Clear passport control and collect luggage, then take the Leonardo Express train to Roma Termini for a fast, budget-friendly transfer downtown; allow 45–75 minutes for arrivals and transfer.
Walk around the Colosseum exterior and along the Roman Forum area—photos and the atmosphere cost nothing and give a strong introduction to ancient Rome; official entry is optional and ticketed (check Colosseum opening times, typically 8:30–19:00 but vary seasonally).
Continue to Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps for classic Rome photo stops and people-watching; these are free public spaces (note occasional restrictions around the Trevi area).
Walk or take a short metro/bus ride to Vatican City; arrive early to your prebooked Vatican Museums timed entry (museums typically open ~9:00AM; verify the exact opening time on your date).
Prebook a timed entry to see the Vatican Galleries and Sistine Chapel to avoid long queues; museums can be busy and are usually closed on some holidays—verify the calendar before booking.
Visit St. Peter's Basilica (free entry); note that security queues form quickly and the dome climb or necropolis tours are extra and require tickets and opening-time checks.
Pick a modest, well-reviewed osteria for traditional Roman dishes at friendly prices—dinner times in Italy tend to start later, but go early to avoid crowds with a group.
Explore the huge, well-preserved ruins of Pompeii—site opening times are usually around 9:00–17:00 (seasonal), so allow 3–4 hours for main highlights and walking; bring water and comfortable shoes.
Head back to Napoli Centrale and board a prebooked intercity/high-speed train to Rome; include transfer buffer time for connections and ticket validation where required.
Quick breakfast then board an early economy/intercity train to Florence Santa Maria Novella; booking in advance brings the cheapest fares—travel ~1.5–2 hours on high-speed, slightly longer on regional.
See Michelangelo's David at the Accademia; prebooked timed-entry tickets minimize lines—gallery hours typically start around 8:15/9:00 but confirm for your date.
Admire the Duomo, Baptistery and Giotto's Campanile from outside; if you want panoramic city views buy a combined timed ticket for the dome/campanile/museum (check opening hours and book ahead if climbing the dome).
Have a quick breakfast and take an early regional train to Pisa Centrale (about 1 hour); regional trains are inexpensive and frequent—buy tickets at the station or online.
Visit the compact Piazza dei Miracoli to see the Leaning Tower and the cathedral; climbing the tower requires a timed ticket and is optional—verify tower opening hours before booking.
Explore the Baptistery and Camposanto in the square for their architecture and frescoes—entry fees are modest and combined tickets are often available.
Arrive in St. Mark's Square for iconic views; interior entry to the basilica is sometimes limited and may have short queues—check opening hours that day (often 9:30–17:00 but vary).
Take a vaporetto (water bus) for scenic views along the Grand Canal—single rides are far more budget-friendly than a gondola and still memorable; check vaporetto timetables for your travel day.
Take an early regional train from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Siena (some services require a change, commonly at Empoli; total journey time ~1h30–1h50). Check Trenitalia timetables and validate paper tickets if required.
Arrive in Siena and wander the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo to appreciate the medieval civic heart of the city—walking the square is free and especially pleasant in the morning.
Visit the Duomo di Siena and the cathedral complex (Museo dell'Opera / Baptistery); the complex generally opens in the morning—check exact hours the day before and consider a combined ticket for multiple parts.
Board a regional SITA/Tiemme bus from Siena to San Gimignano (direct buses available several times daily); the journey is typically 50–75 minutes—confirm the timetable the day before and buy the ticket at the station or authorized vendor.
Arrive in the medieval hill town and have lunch at an affordable trattoria or panino shop—San Gimignano can be touristy, so choose side-street spots for better prices.
Wander the compact historic center, admire the skyline of medieval towers, enter small museums or climb Torre Grossa if open (check tower opening hours; climbing requires a ticket).
Treat yourself to the famous gelato at Gelateria Dondoli and stroll to nearby viewpoints or ramparts for classic Tuscan panoramas—affordable and iconic.
Catch a short local bus from San Gimignano down to Poggibonsi (bus schedules are frequent enough for day-trippers; buy tickets locally), which connects to regional trains back to Florence.
Board a regional train from Poggibonsi-San Gimignano station to Florence SMN; journey time ~1h15–1h30—verify connections and allow time for any short bus/train transfers.
Enjoy a final low-budget dinner at a neighborhood osteria or pizzeria to celebrate the trip—ask locals for recommended affordable spots away from immediate tourist corridors.