12-Day Shoestring Budget Itinerary for Rome, Positano, and Florence

• Day 1: Rome
  From Fiumicino Airport

  Explore the Colosseum, Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain. Order pizza al taglio and linger in a local cafe.

• Day 2: Rome
  From Day 1 locations

  Visit Vatican City and St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Roman Forum

• Day 3: Rome to Positano
  3 hours by train from Rome Termini Railway station to Salerno Railway station and ferry to Positano

  Admire the beach views in Positano. Visit the Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta and indulgence in Italian gelato.

• Day 4: Positano
  From Day 3 locations

  Enroll in a boat tour in Marina Piccola, and visit the Poseidon Thermal Gardens.

• Day 5: Positano to Florence
  From Positano Salerno Railway Station to Florence Santa Maria Novella Railway Station

  Take a train to Florence and have a walk in Piazza del Duomo. Visit the Uffizi Gallery or Palazzo Vecchio

• Day 6: Florence
  From Day 5 locations

  Explore Ponte Vecchio Bridge and Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore with its large cupola. Stroll in Piazzale Michelangelo before sunset.

• Day 7: Florence
  From Day 6 locations

  Visit The David at Galleria dell'Accademia. Explore Mercato Centrale and enjoy Italian cuisine.

• Day 8: Florence
  From Day 7 locations

  Take a day trip to Cinque Terre and visit its five picturesque villages.

• Day 9:
  Depart from Florence

  Transfer to the airport for departure.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Colosseum (2 hours, free)
• Pantheon (45 minutes, free)
• Trevi Fountain (30 minutes, free)
• Vatican City and St. Peter's Basilica (2.5 hours, free)
• Sistine Chapel (45 minutes, €20)
• Roman Forum (2 hours, €16)
• Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta (1 hour, free)
• Boat tour in Marina Piccola (3 hours, €50)
• Poseidon Thermal Gardens (3 hours, €33)
• Uffizi Gallery (2 hours, €20)
• Palazzo Vecchio (2 hours, €12)
• Duomo di Firenze (45 minutes, free)
• Ponte Vecchio Bridge (30 minutes, free)
• Piazzale Michelangelo (1 hour, free)
• The David at Galleria dell'Accademia (2 hours, €16)
• Mercato Centrale (2 hours, €18)
• Cinque Terre (1 day, €40)

Total Estimated Costs: €305

Transportation

Travelers may reach Fiumicino Airport using public transportation (30 minutes, €8) or take a taxi (30 minutes, €48-€52). For day trips to Cinque Terre, buy train passes (€16).

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider adding day trips to Pompeii or Naples. If you are on a tighter budget, avoid expensive restaurants and tourist traps.

Airports

Fiumicino Airport (FCO) is Rome's main airport, located around 32 km southwest of Rome. Florence Airport (FLR) is the nearest airport to Florence, which is about 4km from the city center.