After arriving and dropping bags at your hotel, ease into Venice with a relaxed stroll through Dorsoduro, stopping at the art-filled Gallerie dell'Accademia to admire Venetian masterpieces and then wandering down to the atmospheric Zattere promenade for a caffè and views across the Giudecca Canal. Continue to the lively Campo Santa Margherita to soak up local life-browse artisan shops, sample cicchetti at a bacaro, and watch residents begin their day in one of Venice's most charming neighborhoods.
After a leisurely lunch, cross the canals toward Piazza San Marco, then slip into the quieter lanes to discover the intricate mosaics of Basilica di San Marco from outside and the elegant arcades of Procuratie Vecchie; pause for a gelato at a nearby café and watch gondolas glide by. Continue with a peaceful vaporetto ride along the Grand Canal to Rialto Market-browse fresh produce and seafood stalls, sample local olives or street snacks, and end the afternoon on the Rialto Bridge for classic views as the light softens over the water.
As twilight falls, wander to the atmospheric island of San Giorgio Maggiore for a golden view of the skyline from the church's campanile, then drift back to the city by vaporetto and follow quieter canals toward Campo San Polo, where locals gather as lights come on. Finish with a relaxed dinner at a traditional osteria near Squero di San Trovaso, tasting fresh seafood and local wine while listening to the soft lapping of water against the gondola yards.
Begin with an early stroll through Castello's quieter lanes to the atmospheric Arsenale waterfront, then cross into the characterful Riva degli Schiavoni for fresh morning light on the lagoon and a coffee at a waterside caffè. Continue to the elegant Correr Museum to ground your day in Venetian history and art, then slip into the nearby Libreria Acqua Alta for a charming, book-filled detour before the crowds arrive at St. Mark's area.
After a leisurely lunch, wander into the labyrinthine streets toward Campo SS. Giovanni e Paolo, then climb the narrow steps of Scuola Grande di San Marco to admire its Renaissance façade and quieter courtyard. Continue with a scenic gondola or traghetto crossing near Ponte dei Sette Archi to reach Cannaregio - explore the Jewish Ghetto's historic synagogues and sample spritz and cicchetti at a canal-side bacaro as the afternoon light warms the neighborhood.
As dusk settles, drift into the quieter charm of Santa Maria Formosa and follow its adjoining lanes toward the atmospheric Rio dei Mendicanti for mirror-like canal reflections and soft lamplight. Stop for an aperitivo on the lively terrace of Campo San Maurizio, then cap the night with a concert or chamber recital at Chiesa di San Vidal, where music fills the baroque nave and offers a perfect, intimate end to a day exploring St. Mark's and the Rialto.
Start your final Venetian morning with a peaceful breakfast at Pasticceria Tonolo, then wander through the photographer-friendly lanes of Santa Croce to discover quiet canals and local artisan shops before the city fully wakes. Pause at the hidden Scuola Grande di San Rocco to admire its Tintoretto cycle (a contemplative final art stop), then collect your bags and take a vaporetto to Venezia Santa Lucia station for your onward train to Naples, carrying one last espresso and a box of local biscotti for the journey.
After a morning departure, linger in Venice with a relaxed lunch on the sunny terrace of Campo San Simeon Grande sampling tramezzini and a spritz, then take a final vaporetto cruise down the Grand Canal to admire palazzi from the water. Board your high-speed train at Venezia Santa Lucia, store your luggage in the carriage, and upon arrival in Naples head straight to Piazza del Plebiscito for a late-evening passeggiata and your first Neapolitan pizza at the historic Antica Pizzeria Port'Alba, soaking in the city's lively street atmosphere as you transition from Venice to Campania.
After arriving in Naples and dropping your bags at the hotel, take a sunset stroll through Spaccanapoli, slipping into the narrow lanes to sample a fresh sfogliatella at Sfogliatella Mary and watch local life unfold. As twilight deepens, head to Via Toledo for an aperitivo at a lively bar, then finish the night with a relaxed dinner of classic Neapolitan dishes at Trattoria da Nennella while listening to the rhythms of the historic centre.
Begin with an authentic Neapolitan breakfast at Gran Caffè Gambrinus, then stroll through the elegant arcades of Galleria Umberto I toward the nearby Teatro di San Carlo for a guided tour of one of Europe's oldest opera houses. Continue to Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli to see the Pompeii treasures up close-an ideal cultural bridge from your upcoming Pompeii day trip-before pausing for espresso in the lively courtyard of Piazzetta Nilo.
Wend through the lively lanes of Spaccanapoli toward Via dei Tribunali, stopping to watch craftsmen roll pizza dough at a street-front pizzeria and to sample taralli and espresso at a bustling bakery; continue to the hidden Cappella Sansevero to marvel at the veiled sculpture of the Veiled Christ and its atmospheric, candlelit interior. Finish with a slow walk down to the waterfront promenade of Lungomare Caracciolo for gelato and sea views, pausing at a seaside trattoria to taste fresh seafood while the light softens over the Bay of Naples.
As evening falls, wander up to Piazza Bellini where students and musicians gather among ancient ruins-sip a Neapolitan craft beer at a lively terrace bar and watch the square come alive. Continue to the atmospheric Quartieri Spagnoli for a street-food crawl of fried pizza and arancini from local stalls, then finish with a nightcap on the panoramic terrace of Castel dell'Ovo to admire the illuminated skyline and Bay of Naples.
Catch an early Circumvesuviana train or a private transfer to Pompeii Scavi - Villa dei Misteri and spend the morning wandering through its sunlit streets, pausing to inspect everyday life at the House of the Faun and the eerie plaster casts in the Largo dei Lavoratori; take a guided walk to learn how the eruption froze the town in time. After exploring, enjoy a quick coffee and sfogliatella at a nearby café outside the ruins before heading to the shuttle that climbs toward Parco Nazionale del Vesuvio, where a short hike brings you to the crater rim for sweeping views over the Bay of Naples.
After the morning at the ruins and a coffee, take a short drive or local bus to the charming nearby town of Herculaneum to stroll its better-preserved streets and marvel at intact frescoes and mosaics in the House of the Mosaic Atrium; stop for a light lunch of focaccia and local mozzarella at a family-run café near Via dell'Abbondanza. Later, head toward the slopes of Vesuvius to visit the informative Vesuvius Visitor Centre (Centro Visitatori), then join a guided uphill walk along the volcanic trail to viewpoints on the lower crater flanks for sweeping panoramas of the Bay and to watch the changing light over the landscape as the afternoon wanes.
After returning from Vesuvius, settle into the charming nearby town of Torre Annunziata for an aperitivo on a waterfront terrace overlooking the Sorrentine Coast, then stroll the seafront to watch fishing boats come home. Finish the night in Ercolano with dinner at a family-run trattoria serving Campanian classics-order fresh seafood and local wine-then pause at Villa Campolieto's lit façade for a peaceful end to a day of ancient streets and volcanic panoramas.
Board an early high-speed train at Napoli Centrale, tuck into a cappuccino and sfogliatella as the Campanian coast slips away, and arrive in Rome ready to explore without delay. Drop bags at your hotel then walk through Piazza della Repubblica to the towering Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri (a striking Michelangelo-era church built in Diocletian's baths) and continue to the nearby Terme di Diocleziano ruins and the atmospheric Museo Nazionale Romano (Palazzo Massimo) for an intimate encounter with Roman sculpture and mosaics before a leisurely lunch in the Monti neighborhood.
After arriving in Rome and settling your bags, wander through the lively lanes of Campo dei Fiori, browse the open-air market stalls for local cheeses and artisan goods, then pause for a light lunch of supplì and a glass of Frascati at a nearby trattoria. Continue with a relaxed stroll across the historic Ponte Sisto to the bohemian Trastevere district-explore its cobbled streets, discover hidden frescoes in Santa Maria in Trastevere's side chapels, and enjoy an aperitivo at a terrace bar as the neighbourhood's evening atmosphere builds.
After checking into your hotel, wander toward Piazza Navona to admire its Baroque fountains and street artists, then slip into the nearby hidden gem Sant'Agata dei Goti for a quiet, candlelit moment away from the crowds. Finish with dinner in the atmospheric Ghetto district-sample Roman-Jewish classics like carciofi alla giudia at a family-run osteria-and take a post-meal passeggiata along the softly lit Lungotevere to watch reflections on the Tiber.
Begin with an early arrival at Colosseo to beat the crowds-join a guided underground-and-upper-tier tour to feel the arena's scale and hear stories of gladiators and pageantry. Afterward, wander through the nearby Arco di Costantino and enter the sparsely crowded slopes of the Palatino to explore its sunlit ruins and terraced gardens, enjoying expansive views down into the ancient streets of the Foro Romano while your guide traces Rome's rise from republic to empire.
After a morning among the imperial heart, drift toward the Capitoline Hill to visit the atmospheric Musei Capitolini, where ancient bronzes and the sweeping terrace offer layered views over the Forum; pause at the café on the terrace for a late-morning espresso and to absorb the panorama. Continue with a guided walk through the nearby Via dei Fori Imperiali toward the less-visited ruins of the Basilica of Maxentius and the tranquil Temple of Romulus, then climb to the airy gardens of Giardino degli Aranci (Parco Savello) for golden light, lemon-scented breezes and a relaxed aperitivo with a view of St. Peter's dome as the afternoon melts into evening.
As dusk settles, wander from the Forum toward the atmospheric Piazza del Campidoglio to watch the city lights come on from Michelangelo's elegant square, then descend into the lesser-known Via dei Coronari for window-shopping in antique shops and artisan boutiques. Continue with dinner in the historic Rione Monti at a cozy trattoria serving slow-cooked Roman stews, and finish the night with a gelato while strolling to the softly illuminated ruins near Porta San Sebastiano for a quiet, post-sightseeing passeggiata.
Start your final morning with an early visit to St. Peter's Basilica to climb the dome for sweeping views over Rome and the Tiber, then linger to admire Bernini's colonnade from the piazza. Afterward, head to the nearby Vatican Museums-book a skip-the-line entry to move efficiently through the galleries, pause at the Raphael Rooms and end with a reflective moment beneath the frescoed ceiling of the Sistine Chapel before collecting your bags and making your way to the station or airport.
After your morning at St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, spend a relaxed afternoon wandering the lesser-known treasures nearby: stroll the peaceful gardens and statues of Borgo Pio for charming cafés and artisan shops, then cross the Tiber to explore the curated exhibitions at Museo Nazionale del Palazzo di Venezia where Renaissance and papal-era collections give context to the day's highlights. Finish with a final leisurely lunch of Roman classics at Ristorante L'Archetto near Piazza Venezia, giving you time to collect luggage and head to the station or airport with one last espresso in hand.
After your museum-filled day, take a tranquil walk through Piazza San Pietro once more, then cross the river for a sunset aperitivo in the charming lanes of Piazza Trilussa, where outdoor terraces fill with locals and live music. For a relaxed final dinner, reserve a table at Osteria der Belli in Trastevere to savor Roman seafood specialties, then finish with a slow passeggiata along the softly lit Lungotevere degli Alberteschi, watching the Tiber reflections as you head to the station or airport.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Dorsoduro (neighborhood stroll) | Free |
| Gallerie dell'Accademia | €13 |
| Zattere promenade (caffè) | €5 |
| Campo Santa Margherita (cicchetti & drinks) | €10 |
| Piazza San Marco (public square) | Free |
| Basilica di San Marco (exterior viewing) | Free |
| Procuratie Vecchie (arcades / gelato) | €6 |
| Vaporetto ride (single along Grand Canal) | €8 |
| Rialto Market (street snacks) | €6 |
| Rialto Bridge (viewing) | Free |
| San Giorgio Maggiore (campanile / island visit) | €10 |
| Campo San Polo (dinner at osteria near Squero di San Trovaso) | €30 |
| Arsenale waterfront (stroll) | Free |
| Riva degli Schiavoni (coffee) | €5 |
| Correr Museum (Museo Correr) | €12 |
| Libreria Acqua Alta (bookshop visit) | Free |
| Scuola Grande di San Marco (exterior / courtyard) | Free |
| Gondola or traghetto crossing (short) | €2 |
| Cannaregio & Jewish Ghetto (synagogues - entrance) | €10 |
| Santa Maria Formosa (stroll) | Free |
| Campo San Maurizio (aperitivo) | €12 |
| Chiesa di San Vidal (concert / recital) | €15 |
| Pasticceria Tonolo (breakfast) | €8 |
| Santa Croce (stroll) | Free |
| Scuola Grande di San Rocco | €10 |
| Venezia Santa Lucia train station (train to Naples - high-speed seat) | €50 |
| Piazza del Plebiscito (passeggiata) | Free |
| Antica Pizzeria Port'Alba (pizza) | €12 |
| Spaccanapoli (stroll / sfogliatella) | €4 |
| Via Toledo (aperitivo) | €10 |
| Gran Caffè Gambrinus (breakfast) | €8 |
| Galleria Umberto I (stroll) | Free |
| Teatro di San Carlo (guided tour) | €10 |
| Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli (MANN) | €12 |
| Piazzetta Nilo (espresso) | €2 |
| Via dei Tribunali (street-food & bakeries) | €8 |
| Cappella Sansevero (entrance) | €10 |
| Lungomare Caracciolo (gelato / waterfront stroll) | €5 |
| Piazza Bellini (drink) | €6 |
| Quartieri Spagnoli (street-food crawl) | €10 |
| Castel dell'Ovo (terrace / nightcap) | Free |
| Pompeii Scavi - Villa dei Misteri (entrance) | €18 |
| Guided tour of Pompeii (small-group) | €25 |
| Coffee / sfogliatella near Pompeii | €4 |
| Shuttle to Parco Nazionale del Vesuvio / Visitor Centre | €10 |
| Vesuvius crater hike (entrance / guide) | €10 |
| Herculaneum (Ercolano) entrance | €13 |
| Lunch in Herculaneum (focaccia & mozzarella) | €12 |
| Torre Annunziata (aperitivo) | €8 |
| Ercolano dinner (family-run trattoria) | €25 |
| Napoli Centrale → Rome high-speed train (seat) | €40 |
| Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri (visit) | Free |
| Terme di Diocleziano / Museo Nazionale Romano (Palazzo Massimo) | €12 |
| Campo dei Fiori (market / snacks) | €6 |
| Ponte Sisto & Trastevere (stroll) | Free |
| Santa Maria in Trastevere (visit) | Free |
| Piazza Navona (visit) | Free |
| Sant'Agata dei Goti (visit) | Free |
| Dinner in the Ghetto (Roman-Jewish classics) | €30 |
| Colosseo (Colosseum) - standard ticket | €18 |
| Guided underground & upper-tier Colosseum tour (optional) | €40 |
| Palatino (Palatine Hill) entrance (combined with Colosseum/Forum) | Free |
| Musei Capitolini (entrance) | €16 |
| Giardino degli Aranci (Parco Savello) | Free |
| Dinner in Rione Monti (trattoria) | €25 |
| St. Peter's Basilica (dome climb) | €10 |
| Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel (skip-the-line ticket) | €20 |
| Borgo Pio (stroll / cafes) | Free |
| Museo Nazionale del Palazzo di Venezia (entrance) | €10 |
| Lunch at Ristorante L'Archetto | €25 |
| Piazza Trilussa (aperitivo) | €10 |
| Osteria der Belli (Trastevere dinner) | €30 |
| Estimated Total (per person) | €889 |