8-Day Low-Budget Italy: 3 Days in Rome → 4 Days in Florence → Return to Rio de Janeiro (Flight departs Rome 23:00)

Day 1: Arrive & Ancient Rome

Rome, Italy on February 15, 2026

8:00AM

Arrive Fiumicino (FCO) & transfer to city

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.
EUR14, 1h15m.

9:30AM

Check-in or luggage drop at accommodation

Request early check-in or store luggage at a centrally located budget guesthouse near Termini/Colosseum so you can start exploring immediately.
EUR0, 0h30m.

10:00AM

Breakfast: espresso & cornetto at a local bar

Grab a quick, inexpensive Italian breakfast (espresso + cornetto) at a neighborhood bar to fuel your first day.
EUR5, 0h20m.

10:30AM

Colosseum exterior & Roman Forum walk

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, usually ~8:30–16:30 in winter).
EUR0, 2h0m.

1:00PM

Lunch: pizzeria al taglio or panino shop

Eat at a nearby pizzeria al taglio (pizza by the slice) or paninoteca for a cheap, filling lunch near the sites.
EUR10, 1h0m.

2:30PM

Pantheon & Piazza Navona stroll

Walk to the Pantheon (free entry) and enjoy Piazza Navona's fountains and lively street scene for a relaxed, low-cost afternoon; note some attractions have reduced hours in winter—verify before you go.
EUR0, 1h0m.

4:00PM

Trevi Fountain & Spanish Steps

Continue to Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps for classic Rome photo stops and people-watching; these are free public spaces (watch for temporary maintenance closures at times).
EUR0, 0h45m.

7:30PM

Dinner in Trastevere (budget trattoria)

Cross the Tiber to Trastevere for reasonably priced trattorie offering hearty pasta and pizza in a lively neighborhood—arrive early to secure seating and avoid weekend crowds.
EUR18, 1h30m.

9:30PM

Overnight at budget guesthouse — Rome (night 1)

Return to your centrally located budget accommodation to rest; staying central reduces extra transport costs and simplifies the next day's Vatican visit.
EUR70, 0h30m.
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Day 2: Vatican & City Walks

Rome, Italy on February 16, 2026

7:30AM

Breakfast at local bar

Quick espresso and pastry at a neighborhood cafe to start early and beat crowds at the Vatican; bars are the cheapest option for breakfast in Rome.
EUR5, 0h20m.

8:30AM

Travel to Vatican City

Walk or take a short metro/bus ride to Vatican City; arrive early to your prebooked Vatican Museums timed entry (Vatican Museums are usually closed on Sundays except the last Sunday of the month—verify the schedule).
EUR1.50, 0h20m.

9:00AM

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel (prebooked ticket)

Prebook a timed entry to see the Vatican Galleries and Sistine Chapel to avoid long queues; museums can be busy—confirm opening times for February and holiday closures before traveling.
EUR20, 3h0m.

12:30PM

St. Peter's Basilica visit

Visit St. Peter's Basilica (free entry); security queues form quickly and the dome climb or necropolis tours are extra and require separate tickets and time checks.
EUR0, 1h0m.

1:45PM

Lunch: pastificio or panini near the Vatican

Choose an inexpensive pastificio (fresh pasta to-go) or panino shop to keep costs low and eat like a local.
EUR10, 0h45m.

3:30PM

Castel Sant'Angelo & Tiber riverside walk

Walk along the Tiber to Castel Sant'Angelo for pleasant riverside views; entry to the castle is optional and ticketed (winter hours can be shorter—check before you go).
EUR0, 1h30m.

6:30PM

Campo de' Fiori & evening snacks

Wander Campo de' Fiori and nearby streets for light shopping and snacks—markets are great for sampling local products cheaply.
EUR0, 0h45m.

8:00PM

Dinner at a family-run osteria

Pick a modest, well-reviewed osteria for traditional Roman dishes at friendly prices—go early to secure a table on busy nights.
EUR20, 1h30m.

10:00PM

Overnight at budget guesthouse — Rome (night 2)

Return to your accommodation to rest and prepare for the Pompeii day trip tomorrow.
EUR70, 0h30m.
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Day 3: Pompeii Day Trip

Pompeii (day trip from Rome), Italy on February 17, 2026

6:00AM

Early train Rome → Naples (high-speed or intercity)

Take an early high-speed or intercity train to Napoli Centrale; book in advance for the best fares—journey time ~1–1.5 hours depending on service.
EUR30, 1h15m.

8:00AM

Circumvesuviana train Naples → Pompeii Scavi

Transfer to the local Circumvesuviana train for a cheap direct ride to Pompeii Scavi station, which is adjacent to the archaeological site.
EUR3, 0h40m.

9:00AM

Pompeii Archaeological Park

Explore the well-preserved ruins of Pompeii—site opening times in winter are usually similar but check the official calendar; allow 3–4 hours for main highlights and walking, bring water and comfortable shoes.
EUR16, 3h30m.

1:00PM

Lunch: pizzeria or cafe near the site

Refuel with an economical pizza or pasta at a nearby cafe before returning to Naples and then to Rome.
EUR12, 1h0m.

2:30PM

Return Circumvesuviana → Naples & train to Rome

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.
EUR30, 2h30m.

7:30PM

Light dinner near accommodation

Have a relaxed, budget-friendly dinner close to where you're staying—after a long day it's best to keep it simple.
EUR15, 1h0m.

9:00PM

Overnight at budget guesthouse — Rome (night 3)

Rest up in Rome before tomorrow's transfer to Florence.
EUR70, 0h30m.
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Day 4: Travel to Florence & Accademia

Florence, Italy on February 18, 2026

7:30AM

Breakfast & train Rome → Florence

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.
EUR25, 2h0m.

10:30AM

Check-in / luggage drop

Drop luggage at a centrally located budget guesthouse near the Duomo or SMN station so you can explore on foot all day.
EUR0, 0h30m.

11:00AM

Galleria dell'Accademia (David) — prebooked

See Michelangelo's David at the Accademia; prebooked timed-entry tickets minimize lines—gallery hours vary in winter so confirm for your date.
EUR16, 1h30m.

12:45PM

Lunch: Tuscan panino or small trattoria

Enjoy an affordable panino or a simple trattoria pasta near the Accademia to taste Tuscan flavors without a large bill.
EUR10, 0h45m.

2:00PM

Duomo exterior & optional climb (booked separately)

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 (in February dome climbing may have reduced slots—book ahead).
EUR0, 2h0m.

4:30PM

Ponte Vecchio & Oltrarno wandering

Cross the Arno to browse artisan workshops and scenic streets in Oltrarno—this is free and offers a quieter, authentic Florentine vibe.
EUR0, 1h0m.

7:30PM

Dinner at a budget trattoria

Dine at an unpretentious local trattoria offering hearty Tuscan dishes at reasonable prices—reserve or arrive early for group seating.
EUR18, 1h30m.

9:30PM

Overnight at budget guesthouse — Florence (night 1)

Settle into your Florence accommodation for a multi-night stay to use as a base for nearby day trips and museum visits.
EUR60, 0h30m.
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Day 5: Pisa Day Trip

Florence, Italy (day trip to Pisa) on February 19, 2026

7:30AM

Breakfast & regional train Florence → Pisa

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.
EUR8, 1h15m.

9:15AM

Piazza dei Miracoli: Leaning Tower & Cathedral

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 (winter hours may be shorter).
EUR0, 1h0m.

10:30AM

Baptistery and Camposanto

Explore the Baptistery and Camposanto in the square for their architecture and frescoes—entry fees are modest and combined tickets are often available.
EUR10, 1h0m.

12:30PM

Lunch near the square

Enjoy an affordable lunch of pasta or pizza close to the site to maximize your time in Pisa before returning to Florence.
EUR12, 1h0m.

2:00PM

Return to Florence & optional Boboli Gardens

Take a regional train back to Florence; if you have energy and time, stroll the Boboli Gardens (check seasonal hours; in February weather may be cool but the views remain lovely).
EUR8, 2h0m.

7:30PM

Dinner: pizza, panino or osteria

Choose a casual pizzeria, panino shop or local osteria in Florence for a budget-friendly meal after the day trip.
EUR15, 1h0m.

9:00PM

Overnight at budget guesthouse — Florence (night 2)

Return to the same Florence accommodation to rest and prepare for tomorrow's Venice day trip.
EUR60, 0h30m.
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Day 6: Venice Day Trip

Venice, Italy (day trip from Florence) on February 20, 2026

6:45AM

Early train Florence → Venice Santa Lucia

Catch an early intercity/regional train to Venice Santa Lucia; book in advance for cheaper fares—journey typically 2–3 hours depending on service.
EUR25, 3h0m.

10:15AM

Piazza San Marco & St. Mark's Basilica (exterior)

Arrive in St. Mark's Square for iconic views; interior entry to the basilica may have limited hours—check opening times for February before planning interior visits.
EUR0, 1h0m.

12:00PM

Lunch: cicchetti hopping in a bacaro

Sample cicchetti (Venetian small plates) at local bacari for an affordable, varied lunch experience typical of Venice.
EUR12, 1h0m.

1:30PM

Rialto Bridge & market stroll

Explore the Rialto area and market stalls—wandering is free and gives a good sense of Venetian daily life.
EUR0, 0h45m.

2:30PM

Vaporetto ride on the Grand Canal

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.
EUR8, 0h45m.

4:00PM

Wander Cannaregio or Dorsoduro & early dinner

Head to Cannaregio or Dorsoduro neighborhoods to find more affordable dinner options away from the busiest tourist zones.
EUR18, 1h30m.

6:30PM

Return train Venice → Florence

Board an evening train back to Florence (booked in advance) so you are based there for the next day's Siena + San Gimignano excursion.
EUR25, 3h0m.

10:00PM

Overnight at budget guesthouse — Florence (night 3)

Return to your Florence accommodation to rest after a long but rewarding day trip.
EUR60, 0h30m.
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Day 7: Siena & San Gimignano (train + bus loop)

Florence → Siena → San Gimignano → Florence, Italy on February 21, 2026

6:45AM

Train Florence (SMN) → Siena (regional train)

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.
EUR12, 1h40m.

8:30AM

Piazza del Campo (Siena) & morning stroll

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.
EUR0, 0h45m.

9:15AM

Siena Cathedral (Duomo) complex

Visit the Duomo di Siena and the cathedral complex (Museo dell'Opera / Baptistery); the complex generally opens in the morning—check exact hours and consider a combined ticket for multiple parts.
EUR8, 1h0m.

10:30AM

Late breakfast / light snack in Siena

Enjoy a coffee and pastry or a quick panino in Siena's historic center to refuel before catching the regional bus to San Gimignano.
EUR6, 0h30m.

11:15AM

Bus Siena → San Gimignano (regional bus, SITA/Tiemme)

Board a regional SITA/Tiemme bus from Siena to San Gimignano (direct buses run 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.
EUR6, 1h15m.

12:45PM

Arrive San Gimignano & lunch

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.
EUR12, 1h0m.

2:00PM

Explore towers & historic center

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).
EUR6, 1h30m.

3:45PM

Gelato at Gelateria Dondoli & viewpoints

Treat yourself to the famous gelato at Gelateria Dondoli and stroll to nearby viewpoints or ramparts for classic Tuscan panoramas—affordable and iconic.
EUR4, 0h30m.

4:30PM

Bus San Gimignano → Poggibonsi (short regional bus)

Catch a short local bus from San Gimignano down to Poggibonsi (bus schedules connect to regional trains back to Florence); buy tickets locally and confirm times the day before.
EUR2, 0h20m.

5:00PM

Train Poggibonsi → Florence (regional train)

Board a regional train from Poggibonsi-San Gimignano station to Florence SMN; journey time ~1h15–1h30—verify connections and allow time for transfers.
EUR6, 1h20m.

6:30PM

Arrive back in Florence & brief rest

Return to your Florence guesthouse to rest and freshen up after the day of travel—central location helps minimize last-mile transport costs.
EUR0, 0h30m.

7:30PM

Final dinner in Florence: modest osteria

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.
EUR18, 1h30m.

9:30PM

Overnight at budget guesthouse — Florence (night 4)

Return to your accommodation to pack and prepare for travel back to Rome tomorrow for your departure flight.
EUR60, 0h30m.
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Day 8: Return to Rome & Fly

Florence → Rome → Rio de Janeiro (flight departs Rome 23:00), Italy → Brazil on February 22, 2026

8:00AM

Leisurely breakfast & final packing

Have a relaxed breakfast at a local bar and finish packing; check luggage weight limits for your long-haul flight to Rio and verify you have travel documents and boarding info.
EUR6, 0h45m.

10:00AM

Last-minute Florence stroll or budget museum visit

Use the morning to revisit a favorite spot (Ponte Vecchio or Mercato Centrale) or pop into a small museum; many museums have morning opening times but check specific hours for February closures or reduced hours.
EUR0, 1h30m.

12:30PM

Lunch: inexpensive trattoria or panini

Enjoy an affordable final Tuscan lunch—choose a sandwich shop or family-run trattoria to keep the budget low while enjoying local flavors.
EUR12, 1h0m.

2:00PM

Train Florence → Rome (high-speed/economy fare)

Board an early-afternoon high-speed or intercity train to Roma Termini; book in advance for the best fares—journey typically 1.5–2 hours on high-speed services.
EUR25, 2h0m.

4:15PM

Arrive Roma Termini & store small luggage if needed

Arrive at Rome Termini; if you prefer to explore without large bags, use station luggage storage (hours vary) or keep your main luggage in Florence if your accommodation offers late storage—confirm options the night before.
EUR6, 0h30m.

4:45PM

Early evening: short walk or inexpensive attraction

Take a short walk to nearby sites (e.g., Villa Borghese gardens for free, or Piazza Barberini) for fresh air and photos—many parks and plazas are open year-round but museum hours vary.
EUR0, 1h15m.

7:00PM

Dinner near Termini: budget pasta or pizzeria

Have an early, budget-friendly dinner close to Termini to avoid rushing—choose a casual pizzeria, panino shop or trattoria with good reviews for value.
EUR15, 1h0m.

7:20PM

Leonardo Express to Fiumicino Airport (recommended)

Board the Leonardo Express from Roma Termini to Fiumicino (about 32 minutes). For an international flight departing at 23:00, aim to arrive at the airport around 20:00 (3 hours before) to clear check-in and security comfortably.
EUR14, 0h32m.

8:00PM

Arrive Fiumicino (FCO), check-in & security

Arrive at FCO in time for international check-in and security; keep travel documents and boarding pass accessible—allow extra time for busy holiday seasons or unexpected queues.
EUR0, 2h0m.

10:00PM

Boarding time window begins / final preparations

Be at the gate well ahead of boarding; many airlines begin boarding ~45–60 minutes before departure for long-haul flights—confirm your airline's boarding time and gate.
EUR0, 0h30m.

11:00PM

Flight departs Rome → Rio de Janeiro

Depart Rome for Rio de Janeiro. Have travel insurance details and local arrival information ready for Brazil (e.g., transit from Galeão airport to Rio city center).
EUR0, 11h0m.
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Itinerary created by AI-assisted, human-reviewed