A 12-Day Itinerary for Exploring the Best of Italy

  • Day 1: Como
    1 hour 20 minutes (35 miles) from Milan

    Kick-start your Italian adventure in the beautiful town of Como, situated on the shimmering Lake Como. Stroll along the waterfront and indulge in some authentic Italian cuisine. Don’t miss a visit to Como Cathedral, a stunning church with Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles.

  • Day 2 and 3: Milan
    1 hour 20 minutes (33 miles) from Como

    Get ready for some high-end fashion, delicious food, and beautiful art in Milan. Spend your first day shopping at the famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and exploring the beautiful architecture of the city. On day two, make sure to visit the world-famous painting ‘The Last Supper’ by Leonardo da Vinci at Santa Maria delle Grazie church.

  • Day 4 and 5: Venice
    2 hours and 20 minutes (160 miles) from Milan

    Get lost in the winding alleys and canals of Venice. Visit St. Marks Basilica and Palazzo Ducale, and take a gondola ride in the iconic Grand Canal. On Day five, visit the island of Murano to witness the beautiful glass-making craft.

  • Day 6 and 7: Florence
    2 hours and 18 minutes (167 miles) from Venice

    Explore one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, Florence. Discover the famous statue of David at the Academia Gallery, stroll across the Ponte Vecchio, and visit the breathtaking Florence Cathedral.

  • Day 8 and 9: Rome
    1 hour 25 minutes (144 miles) from Florence

    For the next two days, explore the historic city of Rome. Visit the Colosseum and other iconic landmarks including Vatican City, The Trevi Fountain, and The Pantheon. Make sure to indulge in some authentic pizza, pasta and gelato in your spare time.

  • Day 10: Amalfi Coast
    2 hours 25 minutes (137 miles) from Rome

    Spend a leisurely day exploring the breathtaking and picturesque Amalfi Coast. Visit the beautiful town of Positano and enjoy the stunning views from the cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

  • Day 11: Cinque Terre
    5 hours 30 minutes (267 miles) from Amalfi Coast

    On your final full day, visit the iconic Cinque Terre villages to experience the breathtaking scenery of the Italian Riviera. Hike along the coastline, visit the picturesque harbour of Vernazza, and indulge in the local seafood cuisine.

  • Day 12: Departure

    Take a morning flight out of the nearest airport back home and reminisce about your incredible trip exploring the best of Italy.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Como Cathedral (1-2 hours, free)
  • The Last Supper painting (30 minutes, €10)
  • Gondola ride in Venice (35 minutes, €80)
  • Academia Gallery in Florence (1-2 hours, €12)
  • Colosseum in Rome (2-3 hours, €12)
  • Hiking in Cinque Terre (5-7 hours, €7.50)
  • Total Estimated Costs: €121.50

Transportation

Travellers can get around Italy via trains and buses which are convenient, affordable, and reliable. The estimated transportation cost for the entire trip is around €220, and the total travel time will take approximately 16-18 hours.

Useful tips

If you have more time, consider visiting Tuscany, which is about halfway between Florence and Rome, and is home to some of the most beautiful countryside landscapes in Italy. If you have less time, skip the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre and focus more on the main cities of Florence, Rome, and Venice.

Airports

The nearest airports to these destinations are:

  • Malpensa Airport (MXP) in Milan (35 miles from Como)
  • Treviso Airport (TSF) in Venice (4 miles from the city centre)
  • Fiumicino Airport (FCO) in Rome (21.7 miles from the city centre)

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