12 Days in Italy - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Discover Venice, Florence, Amalfi Coast, & Rome

Hit up Italy's highlights with this highlights itinerary that takes you to the Eternal City, the capital of Tuscany, the picture-perfect Amalfi Coast, and the canals of "La Serenissima."

Arrive in Rome and catch the high-speed train to Venice, where you'll go on a walking tour of the Floating City and explore the Grand Canal by boat. Stroll through Piazza San Marco and stop into the ornate Doge's Palace before taking a romantic gondola ride on the city's canals. On day four, you'll zip down to Florence on the train, arriving in time for a guided food tour. Sample local specialties like truffle panini and chocolate focaccia — plus expertly made cappuccino and locally produced wine — then get some rest before the next day's side trip to the wine region of Chianti, making quick stops in the historic centers of Siena and San Gimignano on the way.

On day seven, you'll transfer to Amalfi. See the shoreline on a sunset cruise from Positano before relaxing over a dinner of fresh seafood. The following day, you'll side-trip to Capri and Anacapri, catching a boat from Sorrento. A highlight of the day's tour is a stop at Grotta Azzurra, a naturally hollowed sea cave. Relax on the beach for a day before finishing the trip in Rome, where you'll tour the Vatican Museums (home of the Sistine Chapel), the Forum, and the Colosseum, and dine outside in Trastevere, one of Rome's most colorful neighborhoods. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Milan and Italy's Lakes Region

The busy fashion capital of Milan, the snowy peaks of the Dolomite Mountains, and the pristine lakes of Italy's northern region await travelers on this diverse 12-day trip plan.

Begin the trip in Milan, visiting La Scala Opera House and the city's iconic Duomo cathedral on a guided tour. Take time for luxury shopping, art gallery-hopping, and sipping Aperol spritzes at outdoor cafés before continuing on to Lake Como. Explore quaint seaside villages and take a walking tour of beautiful Bellagio, then tour the 12th-century Romanesque Basilica of San Giacomo or rent a paddleboard or kayak and head out on the calm water. Soak up some sun at the beaches of Lido di Bellagio and San Giovanni before moving onto nearby Lake Maggiore.

You'll lunch at a lakefront restaurant, then hop on a ferry to see the lake's eleven islands, including Isola Bella ("the Beautiful Island") and the Borromean Islands. On day eight, make the three-hour trip to Lake Garda, known for its romantic mountain villages. You'll finish the trip with an active day-long tour of the Dolomite Mountains, taking a break for a traditional Tyrolean lunch, and a side trip to Verona, believed to be Shakespeare's inspiration for the setting of 'Romeo and Juliet.' Relax for one last day on Lake Garda before heading home. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Cinque Terre and the Italian Riviera

On this coastal itinerary, you'll hike between the scenic villages of the Cinque Terre, stopping to relax on the beach and taste locally produced wines along the way. 

The trip starts and ends in Pisa, world-famous for its Leaning Tower. Transfer to the Cinque Terre in Liguria, where you'll sleep in one of the region's gorgeous coastal villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. All five are connected by hiking trail and train — and together, they make up Cinque Terre National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll spend the first several days of the itinerary hiking between the villages, stopping for al fresco lunches and wine tastings, and you'll take a cooking class in the home of a local chef. 

On day five, move onto Portofino for a sunset kayak cruise followed by a tasting of locally produced wines. The next day, you'll day-trip to Genoa for a walking tour of the historic center. Return to Portofino for a boat tour and a free day for relaxing on the beach or driving along the Riviera's coastal roads. Head back to Pisa for a city tour, then squeeze in a Tuscan day tour, including stops in the Chianti wine region and an afternoon tour of Siena before relaxing for one more evening in Pisa. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Best of Sicily

Discover the top attractions of Sicily with this 12-day trip that features a hike to the top of Mount Etna, a tour of Palermo's Catacombs, tastings at island wineries, and a walking food tour in Catania.

Kick off the trip in Palermo with a guided evening tour. The following day, you'll see the city on a Segway and take a cooking class in the afternoon. Tour the Palermo Catacombs and Monreale Cathedral on day three before moving onto Taormina, with its striking views over the Ionian Sea. In addition to its cultural highlights, from an ancient theater to its 10th-century Palazzo Corvaja, the city is the jumping-off point to visit Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe. Take a full-day tour to the top on day six, then explore the region from a different perspective on day seven, when you'll go on a wine tour of three local wineries.

The last few days of the trip will be spent in Catania. On day nine, go for a walk around the city to see Sicily's largest church, San Nicoló l’Arena, and the Fontana dell’ Elefante, a fountain made from lava rock. The next day, you'll go on a walking food tour, sampling regional specialties like granita (a refreshing shaved ice with fresh fruit juice), Sicilian brioche, and arancini (fried rice balls). Finish up with a visit to the 2,200-year-old Teatro Romano and a stroll through busy La Pescheria fish market
and a few relaxing hours in the sunshine at the beaches of Lido Azzurro and San Giovanni Li Cuti. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Family Adventure - Venice to Rome

Have kids in tow? No problem. This family-oriented adventure around Italy offers fun for all ages in Venice, Florence, and Rome (spoiler alert: "gladiator school" is on the agenda).

Divide your time between Venice, Florence, and Rome on this family-friendly tour, starting in the Floating City with a kid-oriented walking tour, a scavenger hunt, and a mask-making class during which the whole family will learn how to make Carnevale-style masks. You'll pedal through Lido on day four and spend the afternoon in the green garden maze of Villa Pisani. The following day, take the train to Florence — the journey is part of the fun, especially if you bring a picnic — and begin your visit in a new city with a family-friendly food tour.

The next day features a treasure hunt through Florence and visits to kid-oriented museums, including Museo Galileo with its science-themed workshops. Finish up your stay in Florence with a pizza-making class. Then it's off to Rome for Gladiator School and a family-friendly tour of the Vatican. You'll go on a golf cart tour the next day and see the Capitoline Museum and Piazza del Campidoglio. Take a picnic to the Villa Borghese Gardens and rent bicycles on the last day. Learn more

More Great 12-Day Italy Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your Italy trip? Check out these other 12-day Italy itineraries, ranging from active, to cultural, to luxury, or family-friendly trips.

Or, describe your ideal trip and we will connect you with a local specialist to make it happen.