Itinerary Overview

D1–D3 Rome → D4 Florence → D5 Tuscany & Pisa → D6 Venice → D7 Milan. The entire journey is connected by high-speed trains Frecciarossa or Italo: Rome to Florence takes about 1.5 hours, Florence to Venice about 2 hours, and Venice to Milan about 2.5 hours.

D1–D3 Rome: The Ancient Capital and Art

• D1: Arrive in Rome → Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill (it’s recommended to buy a combo ticket and book in advance) → Evening at Trevi Fountain and Pantheon.
• D2: Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel → St. Peter’s Basilica and Square → Evening at Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps, and Via Condotti.
• D3: Castel Sant’Angelo → Borghese Gallery (booking required) → Stroll along the Tiber River and dinner in Trastevere.

D4 Florence: The Renaissance

Take a morning high-speed train to Florence. Florence Cathedral and Giotto’s Bell Tower (you can climb to the top) → Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo’s David → Uffizi Gallery → Sunset at Ponte Vecchio. Dinner recommendation: Tuscan T-bone steak and local red wine.

D5 Tuscany & Pisa: Countryside and Leaning Tower

You can join a day tour or drive yourself to connect medieval hill towns such as Siena and San Gimignano, experiencing the Tuscany countryside; in the evening, visit Pisa to see the Leaning Tower and Piazza dei Miracoli, then return to Florence for the night.

D6 Venice: A Water City Stroll

Take a high-speed train to Venice. St. Mark’s Square and St. Mark’s Basilica → Doge’s Palace and Bridge of Sighs → Take a gondola or vaporetto to cruise the Grand Canal → Spend a half-day visiting Murano (Glass Island) or Burano (Colorful Island). Note: Venice charges a visitor entry fee on certain dates for day-trippers.

D7 Milan: A Fashionable Finale

Milan Cathedral and rooftop terrace → Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II → Exterior of La Scala Opera House or catch a performance → Santa Maria delle Grazie to see Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper (booking well in advance is essential). Evening departure from Milan Malpensa Airport.

Tips

• Book tickets in advance on the official websites for the Colosseum, Vatican Museums, Uffizi Gallery, and The Last Supper.
• Book high-speed intercity train tickets early to get early-bird prices, which are significantly lower than buying on the spot.
• Keep luggage as light as possible—Italian old towns have many cobblestone streets and steps, making it inconvenient to drag suitcases.