Ah, bella Italia. A country that has been at the top of bucket lists for decades. It is such well-trodden tourist territory that it can be overwhelming to plan an itinerary. I’ve never been anywhere else that is so incredibly dense with sights and experiences and cuisines. You really can’t go wrong, so I wouldn’t dare say this is the ultimate Italian roadtrip, but it was one of my favorite and most memorable trips I’ve ever been on!
The best description for this itinerary is a sampler, you get a little taste of everything and will take notes throughout of where you’d like to return to spend more time and where you would skip next time. For me that would be Florence and Venice, respectively. As a result, this trip is relatively fast-paced, we drove an average of 2 hours per day and changed hotels almost every day. But still had time to see the major sites, meander and stop along the way, and eat some incredible food! So without further ado:
The Utlimate-ish Italian Roadtrip-ish Itinerary
All roads lead to Rome, so start here. Get acclimated with your neighborhood, we stayed in Trastevere, and visit the Rome you’ve been imagining: the Colosseum and Roman Forum. See an opera, wander around, eat some gelato – la dolce vita!
Spend the morning walking through Piazza Navona and the Pantheon (one of my favorite sites). Then spend the afternoon at museums in Villa Borghese to see both classic and modern art, as well as relax in the gardens.
Welcome to technically another country! Be prepared to spend a lot of the day in line, but it’s worth it for some incredible architecture. Do not miss the St. Peter’s Basilica for an awe-inspiring ceiling!
Time to hit the road! Drive up to Florence (4 hours) with a stop at Porto Ercole halfway for some beachfront lunch. Leave your car at Parco Michelangelo and walk into the city. Stroll along the river, see the famous Piazza del Duomo, and enjoy a nice glass of vino. You’re in Tuscany now!
One of my favorite spots on the trip! Lucca (1 hour) is a picturesque and quaint town. You’ll have to park the car outside of the city walls and walk in. The ramparts are now a pedestrian/bike path and there are some wonderful museums that you can spend the night in!
A very quick drive to Pisa (20 minutes), only requires a few hours to see the fascinating phenomenon that is hundreds of people posing for the exact same photo. There’s also a very nice riverside town that most tourist buses do not get to see! Continue on from here to the coast.
Leave the car in La Spezia (1.5 hours) and take the train to Vernazza (20 minutes) or another Cinque Terre town. This UNESCO site is truly gorgeous and unique, especially when you have the whole place to yourself at night.
Take the train back to La Spezia. Then drive up the coast to Turin (3 hours). Halfway up, stop for lunch in Genoa to try some original pesto! The nearby town of Asti (45 minutes from Turin) hosts the truffle and wine festival – a highlight of my trip!
Leave early in the day so you can take the scenic route through Lake Como (2 hours) along the winding roads. Stop for a lakeside lunch then continue on to Milan (1 hour). Spend the night and see some incredible gothic architecture and fashion landmarks.
Known as the setting for Romeo & Juliet, Verona (2 hours) is also stunning and calmer than anticipated. We stayed outside of the city at a super sweet bed & breakfast, then walked across the coolest bridge into town.
One of the most famous and popular parts of Italy – Venice (1 hour). Park the car and take a boat (20 minutes) into the city. It’s truly like nothing you’ve ever seen and the colors are marvelous. But the crowds and the labyrinth streets are maddening after a day.
It’s time to head home! If you have a late night flight like ours, take your time driving back through Bologna (1.5 hours) for the best classic pasta bolognese ever and stretch your legs at the Park of Monsters (30 minutes from the airport). Arrivederci Italia!
A few notes about this itinerary to keep in mind:
- This is round-trip itinerary from Rome since that’s where the cheapest flights were, but can easily be adapted.
- Yes, you need three days in Rome to at least scratch the surface of this incredible capital.
- I do really want to go south of Rome to see the Amalfi Coast, Naples, and Pompeii, if you have extra time you should!
- Italy is so dense, remember to take your time! Don’t try to do too much and promise yourself to return again.