First Time in Italy???? HERE IS A FANTASTIC ITINERARY!

That is me, the first time in Venice. What a dreamy wonder…..I was inside the Bridge of Sighs looking out like the prisoners did 400 years or so ago…..I did sigh, and it was beautiful!

If you are going to Italy for the first time. I 100% urge you to go without a group. Just grab a friend, and go. Keep in mind, there is a LOT to see in Italy, and you are NOT going to see it all. I would for sure, plan for AT LEAST 10 full days. The flight, and the jet lag will get you for the first couple of days, so, you will want 10 days or more. So, you want to start with this itinerary:

10 days:

Fly to and from Rome if you can and have enough time. This gives you the best price for airfare, and you could luck out with non stop flights from some major airport hubs in the US. Both critical, cheap and nonstop!

But, this itinerary you fly into Rome, and then out of Venice. But worth it to see what you can see with this plan.

I would use the cities that you stay in as hubs to see not only that city, but the surrounding areas via day tours. See what I mean below.

day 1- land in Rome in the morning. Drop off luggage at your hotel, and go. Go see Rome! Beautiful walkable open air museum city! Of course there is a checklist of things you must walk by and see. Do not forget the Pantheon! I mean that place is incredible. Have dinner somewhere, perhaps take in a golf cart tour of the city. These are nice and only a couple of hours, and great way to kick off your vacation.

day 2- see the Vatican – this will be crowded and horrible. But its beautiful and worth it! Once in a lifetime opportunity.

day 3- day trip to Amalfi Coast stopping in Naples. Or a day tour to Pompeii.

day 4- train up to Florence. Check into hotel, and walk around the city.

day 5- go to see David! He is beautiful. I recommend that you just purchase tickets AHEAD of time to go into the museum do not take a tour. It was so boring I almost died….twice. That gives you the rest of the day to wander around Florence and check off your boxes.

day 6- take a day tour to Cinque Terre! If you see NOTHING on this ENTIRE trip MAKE SURE YOU SEE this place!!! What in the crap….the entire time, you will say, oh my goodness, oh my goodness….lol. Do not miss this place for sure. I would go back to Italy and stay at one of the villages here. Probably Monterosso al Mare there is a beautiful beach here, its so dreamy……..anyway, where were we…..

day 7- take the train to Venice. Check into hotel…May I recommend a hotel? H10. Love this place. Right on the main canal right next to the Rialto Bridge. I always say, put your hotel next to a major sight, this way, you can tell a taxi driver when you are lost to take you to that major sight, AND if you see nothing else, you at least get to see that sight. Anyway. I would just take this day, and immerse yourself in Venice and enjoy….this place is like no where else on this planet!

day 8- I would book a tour of the city. Or whatever they call it. Someone that can take you around the main St. Marc Square and so on and give you the details. There are SO many hidden sights in Venice. Things you will walk right by and not even know what you are looking at. So, I would do that tour this day, make sure it includes the Doges Palace, The Prison, and The Bridge of Sighs.

day 9- Grab water bus tickets and go self guided to Murano, Burano, and Torcello. All AMAZING islands, and all unique. I would add Lido Island as well if you have time.

day 10- I would not book anything this day. I would just walk around a eat, drink, and soak up the sights of Venice Italy for your last day.

This is a similar itineray that I used the first time I went to Italy. I am in love with Italy. If I go to Europe and Italy is not on the plan, I am so bummed. Once you go, you will forever want to go back!

If you have any questions or suggestions on how this itinerary could be even better, please drop it in the comments section of this website.

Until next time, this is Donna with GMA ON THE GO- remember to put good food in your body and good times in your soul!