A Travel Guide Series
Ten days in Italy — Renaissance art, Adriatic canals, ancient ruins & great pasta
About This Guide
This itinerary is built around three of Italy's most storied cities with smart day trips woven in. Five nights in Florence give you time to breathe — Uffizi, the Duomo, a day trip to Rome, a morning in Pisa, and an afternoon cycling through Lucca. Three nights in Venice layer in the islands of Murano and Burano, a full-day Prosecco Hills tour, and evenings getting deliberately lost in the calli. The final night returns to Florence for a clean departure.
The pacing is intentional: morning tours and attractions, afternoon flexibility, and dinner reservations that reward the effort of the day. Nearly every key museum ticket, train, and tour is pre-booked — but the guide flags when to be precise versus when to stay loose.
Before You Leave Home
A little Italian goes a long way. Locals genuinely appreciate the effort — even a few words opens doors that English alone won't.
City One
Friday · April 3 · Arrival Day
Tony should be waiting in the car at SJG parking by 2:20 PM. Leave work as early as possible to get to Newark Airport comfortably ahead of departure.
Arrive around 4 PM after the flight and transfer. Drop bags, refresh, and head out — there's plenty of daylight left. The hotel is perfectly positioned for exploring the city center on foot.
Wander Piazza Santa Maria Novella and the surrounding streets. This is the ideal moment for a first Italian aperitivo — find a café with outdoor seating and order a Negroni or Aperol Spritz. Let the jet lag dissolve into the city.
Dinner reservation confirmed. A classic Florentine trattoria — the perfect first dinner in the city. Don't overdo it tonight; you have a full walking tour starting at 8:30 AM tomorrow.
Saturday · April 4 · Full Day Florence
Have breakfast and be ready to leave by 8 AM sharp. Long day ahead.
Uffizi and Accademia 8:30 AM Timed Entry Small Group Duomo Walking Tour. A 4-hour tour covering the greatest hits of the Renaissance. This is one of the most important mornings of the trip — be on time and hydrated.
Grab a coffee and light snack at a café near the Arno, or a sandwich to eat on the move. Stroll to the Ponte Vecchio — the only Florentine bridge not destroyed during WWII, lined with jewelry shops and views of the river.
Then wander Piazza della Signoria — an open-air sculpture gallery with the Neptune Fountain and a replica of Michelangelo's David.
Walk to the Duomo exterior and take it in before the bell tower climb. The scale of Brunelleschi's dome is something that photographs never quite capture.
Sweeping views over the entire city. Must be in line by 2:05 PM. No backpacks or large bags. Must exit and climb down by 3:00 PM.
If the stair climb was a lot, find a sit-down spot or head to the hotel briefly. If you have energy, grab a sandwich on the go.
With audio tour. Michelangelo and Galileo are buried here — one of the most significant churches in Florence.
Sculpture and artifacts from the cathedral complex. Open until 7:00 PM — worth a stop if you have energy. If not, rest at the hotel or a nearby café before the shopping streets.
Browse Florence's great pedestrian streets. If you did a sandwich lunch, this is the moment for gelato.
Sun sets at 7:45 PM — arrive at least 30 minutes early. Check the weather forecast for both today and tomorrow and choose the better evening. Both spots are on the agenda.
Dinner reservation confirmed via The Fork with 30% food discount. Walk back to the hotel after — a full day.
Timed entry is strict. Get in line no later than 2:05 PM. No backpacks or large bags — leave them at the hotel or use a small crossbody.
You have two evenings for two viewpoints. Check the weather and your energy level for both days and plan accordingly. San Miniato is the better photographic choice on a clear evening.
This is a 4-hour small-group tour starting at 8:30 AM. Eat a real breakfast before you go — there's no meaningful food break until after noon.
Sunday · April 5 · Easter Sunday
No rush this morning. Have a full breakfast — you won't have time for a proper meal until the cooking class this afternoon.
A Renaissance Easter tradition held since the 14th century: a historical cart loaded with fireworks is ignited by a dove-shaped rocket during Easter mass, symbolizing renewal and good fortune for the city. Starts ~10:00–11:00 AM. Arrive early — this draws enormous crowds.
This happens once a year. Don't miss it.
You won't have time to do everything before the cooking class. The website says you can enter Palazzo Pitti before your timed tour slot. Pick what appeals most and don't overpack this window.
Arrive a few minutes early — you need to be at Palazzo Pitti by 12:45 PM latest. See the baroque staircase, wisteria tunnel, panoramic terraces, fountains, and formal gardens.
30-minute guided tour. Meeting point is in the entrance hall leading into the Galleria Palatina, first floor. Showing your ticket early gives priority access to the full circuit before your official slot time. Note: once you exit any museum in the Pitti complex, you cannot re-enter.
Attached to Pitti Palace. Free to visit today — check how long the lines are. If it's too crowded, wander the Oltrarno neighborhood instead: artisan workshops, leather shops, and small trattorias. Note: some may be closed on Easter Sunday.
20-minute walk from the gardens. Leave by 2:25 to arrive by 2:45 PM.
Small group cooking class. Make pasta and gelato from scratch. Finishes around 6:00 PM — and you'll eat what you made. One of the most memorable afternoons of the trip.
If you went to Piazzale Michelangelo on Saturday, go to San Miniato al Monte tonight (or vice versa). Sun sets at 7:45 PM — be there by 7. If you're tired and already have great shots, head back to the hotel.
You ate during the cooking class, so dinner can be light. Walk-in options depending on hunger and energy.
⚠ Don't stay out too late. Train station at 7:15 AM tomorrow. Make sure you have snacks in the room for breakfast.
Monday · April 6 · Day Trip
Ask the hotel for coffee and a croissant to go. Light bag day — no big backpacks for the bike tour.
Regionale Veloce 4015 · Firenze S.M. Novella (07:28) → Pisa Centrale (08:42). Tickets in Google Wallet.
Walk from Pisa Centrale to the Piazza del Duomo — the monumental heart of Pisa. The Cathedral, Baptistery, Leaning Tower, and Camposanto embody the Pisan Republic at its peak.
Quick 15-minute visit — or skip and do it after the tower depending on timing.
Arrive at 9:30 AM for the 9:45 AM slot. You may need to leave bags in the cloakroom. Take exterior photos now or after depending on crowds and light.
Quick stop before the train. Pasticceria Salza is recommended nearby. Then walk back to Pisa Centrale.
Buy tickets to Stazione di Lucca in person or on the app. Short regional train ride.
Don't stuff yourself — the bike tour includes food tastings. Keep it light.
Cycle around the famous tree-lined Renaissance walls and through the medieval streets with local food and wine tastings along the way. One of the most enjoyable few hours of the whole trip. Ends ~5:15 PM.
Buy return ticket in person or on the app. Arrive back in Florence around 6:30 PM. Return to the hotel to refresh and get ready for dinner.
5-minute walk from the hotel. This is the restaurant where the chef makes your pasta in a cheese wheel at the table. Worth the wait all day.
Must cancel more than 2 hours before the reservation or you will be charged €20. If plans change, cancel promptly.
The Lucca bike tour means no large bags. Leave luggage at the hotel and travel light today.
Tuesday · April 7 · Day Trip
Grab coffee from the hotel if possible. Head to Firenze SMN for the 7:05 AM departure.
Firenze S.M. Novella (07:05) → Roma Termini (08:35). 90-minute high-speed ride.
Pasticceria Sessa 1930 is right by Termini — traditional Italian pastry shop open early. Cappuccino and cornetto for the walk to the Colosseum.
Be at the Colosseum by 9:30 AM. Tour booked with "The Tour Guide" — check your ticket for exactly where to meet the guide. The tour runs until approximately 1:00 PM and covers the Forum and Palatine Hill as well.
You have an online reservation at Pasqualino Al Colosseo dal 1956 — a classic Italian restaurant right by the Colosseum. Use it if you want to sit and recharge. Skip it if you want to maximize time — you can't do this if you plan to go inside the Pantheon.
Stroll from the Colosseum toward Piazza Venezia. Forum ruins and great views the whole way.
One of Rome's most impressive ancient interiors. Quick stop — skip if lines are too long and you need to save time for the Vatican.
Use the "Free Now" app to book a taxi. Confirm the ride time is faster than walking before booking. Need to arrive by 4:00 PM for check-in.
Check-in at 4 PM. Follow the check-in steps on your ticket exactly. The guided tour begins at 4:30 PM. The Sistine Chapel, Raphael Rooms, and the sheer scale of the collection make this one of the most significant museum visits in the world.
After the tour, depending on time: walk back via Via dei Coronari (cobblestone street with artisan shops) or take a taxi to the Spanish Steps.
Grab dinner quickly or on the go before getting here. These are best experienced in the evening light.
30-minute walk or taxi if reliable. Be at the station by 8:45 PM for the 9:10 PM departure.
Roma Termini (21:10) → Firenze S.M. Novella (22:58). Late arrival — sleep on the train.
The guided tour begins at 4:30 PM but check-in opens at 4 PM. Follow the exact check-in steps on your ticket. Don't be late — the Vatican moves on its own schedule.
You'll be inside the Vatican Museums for several hours after 4 PM. Have a proper lunch or a substantial snack before you arrive — there's limited time after for a real dinner before the train.
City Two
Wednesday · April 8 · Travel Day
Leisurely morning — the train doesn't leave until 11:20 AM.
Pack and check out of Hotel L'Orologio. 10-minute walk to Firenze SMN.
Firenze S.M. Novella (11:20) → Venezia S. Lucia (13:34).
Walk or take a water taxi from Venezia S. Lucia to the hotel. Unpack, relax, and let the strangeness and beauty of the city settle in.
Wander without a plan. Follow calli that interest you and get pleasantly lost. Stop for cicchetti and an early aperitivo at a local bacaro (Venetian wine bar). Head toward the Rialto Bridge and walk the Grand Canal — historic palazzi on both sides, vaporettos cutting through the water.
15 minutes from the hotel.
Wander past Piazza San Marco to see it lit at night before the daytime crowds arrive tomorrow. Then head back to the hotel.
Thursday · April 9 · Full Day Venice
Walk to the tour meeting spot after — 20 minutes, leave by 8:50 AM.
Arrive 15 minutes before start. Guide holds a green Walks sign. The tour runs 9:30 AM–12:30 PM and covers the interior of St. Mark's Basilica (including the Terraces) and the full Doge's Palace. One of the great European palace tours.
Have lunch nearby or plan to eat on one of the islands. Take the vaporetto to Murano (famous for glass-blowing) and Burano (colorful houses and lace). Plan dinner time around island exploration — you can eat dinner on one of the islands or head back to Venice.
Dinner reservation confirmed.
Take Line 4.1 or 4.2 from Fondamente Nove to Murano, then continue to Burano. Budget a good 3–4 hours for both islands — Burano alone warrants at least 90 minutes.
The Walks of Italy tour meets at the Correr Museum, Piazza San Marco 52, under the portico just outside the entrance. Look for the green Walks sign. Arrive 15 minutes early.
Friday · April 10 · Day Trip
The tour company provides train tickets to the meeting point. Look for details on your Viator ticket in Apple Wallet — confirm meeting instructions before this morning.
A full day in the Conegliano Valdobbiadene wine region — rolling hills, historic estates, and tastings of Italy's most celebrated sparkling wine in the place it was born. Details in your Viator booking.
Arrive back in Venice around 6:00 PM. Relax at the hotel.
Make a reservation at a nearby restaurant before the day starts — you'll be tired and hungry when you return and won't want to search.
Saturday · April 11 · FlixBus Day
Have drinks and snacks for the 3.5-hour ride. Stop if you need supplies on the way.
How to get to Venice Mestre: Venice Mestre (Stazione FS) is on the mainland — take a vaporetto or walk to Piazzale Roma, then a local train or bus across the causeway to Mestre station. Confirm your route the night before.
Departs Venice Mestre (Stazione FS) at 12:10 PM. Arrives Florence (Villa Costanza) at 3:40 PM.
Take a taxi or tram from Villa Costanza back to Firenze S.M. Novella or directly to your hotel, Grand Hotel Cavour. Check in, relax briefly, and unpack just what you need for one night.
Where do you want to go? Where do you want to eat? This is your last free evening of the trip — make it count. The Grand Hotel Cavour is centrally located; most of the city center is walkable.
Sunday · April 12 · Departure Day
Very early pickup. Have bags packed and ready the night before. 7 AM flight — check bags, as they will likely be overweight after 10 days of shopping and souvenirs.
Check bags at the counter. Ten days done. Arrivederci, Italia.
4:30 AM pickup leaves no margin. Have everything packed and by the door before you go to sleep. Set multiple alarms.
After 10 days in Italy with cooking classes, markets, and shopping, bags will likely be overweight. Check rather than carry on — make it easy on yourself for the journey home.
Dining Guide
Confirmed reservations and recommended options across Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Rome, and Venice.
Classic Florentine trattoria. The ideal first dinner in the city — traditional cooking in a warm room. Reservation confirmed.
✦ Reservation BookedBooked via The Fork with 30% food discount. Pair with a sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo or San Miniato first.
✦ The Fork · 30% DiscountAfter eating what you made in the cooking class, keep dinner light. The rooftop bar at La Scaletta (if open) offers drinks over the Ponte Vecchio. Walk-in pizza works perfectly.
The cheese wheel pasta experience. This is the dinner you've been waiting for. Cancel more than 2 hours before or pay a €20 fee.
⚠ Cancel 2+ hrs Before or Pay €20Grab a coffee and pastry near the square before catching the train to Lucca. Quick stop, highly recommended.
Light lunch before the bike and bites tour. Don't overeat — the tour includes tastings along the route.
Traditional pastry shop right by Termini. Open early — cappuccino and cornetto before walking to the Colosseum.
Online reservation made — real Italian restaurant with pasta dishes near the Colosseum. Use it if you want a sit-down lunch. Skip if you want to maximize time. Note: incompatible with going inside the Pantheon.
✦ Optional ReservationAfter the Trevi Fountain stop, a gelato before the walk to the train station. Dinner in Rome on a day-trip is tight — eat at lunch and snack through the evening.
First dinner in Venice. Reservation confirmed.
✦ Reservation BookedDinner reservation confirmed for the islands day.
✦ Reservation BookedTwo of Florence's most praised sandwich shops for a quick lunch between the bell tower and Santa Croce. Il Bufalo Trippone for authentic local flavor; Pino's / Salumeria Verdi for classic panini with a possible wait.