Italy Route: Rome, Florence, Venice & Amalfi

Welcome to Rome. Transfer from Fiumicino to the center is quick via the Leonardo Express (32 min to Termini, 14 EUR).

Your first walk is through Trastevere, the most authentic neighborhood: cobblestone alleys, laundry hanging between balconies and family-run trattorias. Dinner by the Pantheon (free entry) lit up at night.

Tip: Try the supplì (Roman rice croquette) at Supplizio; it's the best appetizer to kick off your Italian trip.

Last day in Rome before the train. Start at Piazza Navona with its three baroque fountains (Bernini's is spectacular). Toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain (1 coin = you'll return to Rome) and visit the Pantheon inside.

In the afternoon, catch the Frecciarossa to Florence (1h30, from 19 EUR if booked in advance). You'll arrive just in time for a passeggiata over the Ponte Vecchio at sunset.

Tip: Buy Trenitalia tickets 2-3 weeks ahead; prices increase significantly closer to the date.

A day trip to the Tuscan countryside. A Chianti excursion takes you through cypress hills, two wineries with Chianti Classico DOCG tastings and a lunch with local km-0 products.

The landscapes are postcard-perfect: endless vineyards, stone houses and villages like Greve in Chianti or Castellina. If going independently, rent a car or book a small group tour.

Tip: Don't drive if you're tasting; drink-driving checkpoints on Tuscan roads are frequent.

Your last day in Venice. A gondola ride (80 EUR / 30 min, negotiable) is touristy but magical: the narrow canals, low bridges and peeling facades have a unique charm.

Then take the train to Naples (5h30 with change in Rome, or 1h flight). From Naples, a SITA bus along the SS163 drops you in Positano with breathtaking views.

Tip: A gondola is cheaper if shared with another couple; ask at the dock if anyone wants to join.

A sea day on the Amalfi Coast. The small-group cruise visits hidden caves, beaches inaccessible by land and snorkeling stops in turquoise waters.

Positano from the sea is mesmerizing: colorful houses stacked on the cliff with the blue Tyrrhenian as backdrop. Lunch on board or at a coastal trattoria.

Tip: Bring high SPF sunscreen and water shoes; Amalfi beaches are pebble, not sand.