We made it to Italy! Sharing our Rome and Florence itinerary, what we did, where we stayed, etc. In our YouTube Italy vlog, what we take you across our first 5 days of our Italy trip! Pat and I had so much fun filming this vlog to share with all of you but to also have for our memories!
Scroll down for my complete list of all the things to do, what to see, restaurants, places to stay etc. that I had on my list from my initial trip planning research! I used this list as a reference throughout the trip! The video shows our 5 day Rome and Florence Itinerary!
Rome
THINGS TO DO/SEE:
Colosseoum (THE COLOSSEUM FROM VIA NICOLA SALVI ) one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built back in 70 / 80 AD the Colosseum is a huge oval amphitheatre where up to 80,000 spectators would gather to watch gladiator fights and other public performances. Address from photos below: 00184 Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy
Palataine Hill one of the most ancient areas in all of Rome. It sits 40 meters above the Roman Forum, looking out upon many ancient ruins. Also to see the forum for free, Fori Imperiali and you’ll be able to see a good section from the pedestrian viewing platform itself.
Trevi Fountain
Spanish Steps & church upstairs is super pretty
Piazza del popolo, can walk around and get panaramic view
Pantheon
Piazza Navona
Best sunset views of Rome:
Ponte Umberto
Garden of the Oranges
Vatican Musem & St. Peter’s Basilica (Vatican City is free to enter btw)
The Secret Keyhole-just google it lol
Close to Vatican
Via portico d’Ottavia (ancient ruins)
Isola Tiberius (only island in Rome)
Castel Sant’Angelo
Other cute areas:
Quartiere Coppede’ Rome’s smallest district- lots of charm, fountain of three frogs
Trastevere heart of rome- best bars pubs restaurants
Campo dei Fiori (the cutest square of flowers + oldest square with pizza)
Other:
Santa Prassede: This dainty church is famous for one of its columns onto which Christ is said to have been tied and flagellated.
Stroll through Villa Borghese- FREE
Stadio dei Marmi- athletics stadium- FREE
Food:
Rosciolo Caffe Pasticceria: breakfast-espressos, breakfast sandwiches, pastries
La Carbonara *old style roman restaurant
Da Teo
Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina: Dinner and the strongest Negronis, amazing pasta.
Felice Testaccio
Osteria Pal
Osteria Palmira
Taverna Trilussa: Dinner
Enoteca L’antidoto: Great for appetizers
Da Enzo in Travestere (do not take reservations)
Sora Margherita
Ar GallettoDar Moschino
Roscioli
Drinks
Hotel de Russia
9 Hotel Cesari roof top bar
Terrazza Les Etoiles view of St. Peter’s
Terrazza Boromini Rooftop-make reservations!
STORES
Luxury Shopping Area: Via dei Condotti (right by Spanish Steps)
Best clothing stores in Rome
Coin – the most famous Italian clothing store in Rome
Oviesse – the best cheap clothes shopping in Rome
Benetton Stores
Kiabi – off the beaten path and cheap
Conbipel
La Rinascente Rome
Primark
If you visit the Coin department store in Piazzale Appio in the mornings from Monday to Saturday, you could also take a stroll around the second-hand clothing market on Via Sannio, which is within walking distance from the store.
Rome day one outfits
Rome day two outfits
Now we move on to Florence!
I studied abroad in Florence and it’s truly such a special place. It was such a joy to be able to share Florence with Pat (were together as boyfriend and girlfriend while I had studied there!) These days here in Florence we just beyond special, Pat loved Florence, he said it was his favorite place out of all the places we went to!
THINGS TO DO/SEE:
Duomo: The Cathedral di Santa Maria del Fiore is an architectural masterpiece that took over 140 years to complete (Duomo) Cathedral typically opens at 10:00 AM
Skip-the-Line: Florence Duomo Tour with Brunelleschi’s Dome Climb here
FLORENCE HAS SO MANY ART MUSEUMS **determine what you want to see ahead of time, book tours or see about bundling some attractions together to save $$
Uffizi Galleries
Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze (David)
Watch the sunset at Piazzale Michaelanglo
Grab gelato and sit in Piazza della Signoria- usually live music + great people watching
Can always grab a pizza, panini, wine and sit on the side of the Arno River
Stroll across the Ponte Vechhio bridge (shops + always lively, always live music)
Climb Giotto’s Tower
Piazza della Repubblica- has a carousel there, but always a lively area + street performers + art
Vintage Fotoautomatica Booths all over Florence! The one we went to: Via Santa Monaca, 1, 50124 Firenze , also there is a cute and delicious bakery right next to it: S.Forno
Visit the Oldest Pharmacy in the World. Officina Profumo Farmaceutica was founded by Dominican friars shortly after 1221 and used medicinal herbs to make balms and medications for the monks’ infirmary. The building itself is STUNNING!
Search for Secret Bakeries (usually opened between midnight and four AM, knock on window say what you want, give a euro or two!)
Stroll through the San Lorenzo leather market (super close to the Mercato Centrale)
Another location is the Mercato Nuovo, which sits under an ancient loggia only steps from Piazza della Signoria and is filled with leather goods and souvenirs
Look for Wine windows- google it!
Santa Croce Church-It’s also a site steeped in history. Here you’ll find the graves of some of Italy’s most brilliant minds, including Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli!
Visit the Oltrarno neighborhood for something different. The Oltraarno district has a bunch of independent boutiques and workshops to check out!
Other:
Gucci museum/ gardens and osteria- If you order the burger, it comes in a pink Gucci take away box!
Palazzo Vecchio
Palazzo Pitti
Bobolia Gardens
OTHER NEAR BY Day TRIP IDEAS:
Siena, Pisa, San Gimignano
Tuscan countryside (vespa tours, e-bike tours, wine tours etc.)
STORES
Luxury Shopping Area: Via Tornabuoni
Best clothing stores in Florence
Rinascente (Italian department store)
Scuola del Cuoio shop for leather bags Address: Via San Giuseppe 5R 50122 Firenze, Italia
Food
Ristorante Pensavo Peggio – DELICIOUS super local
Osteria del Pavone: THIS IS ACROSS THE ARNO
Il Cibreo -traditional Tuscan dishes
Osteria Pastella BOOK IN ADVANCE
Trattoria dei 13 Gobi – traditional- rigaton0
Buca Mario
La Giostra
Il Santo Bevitore across the Arno
Trattoria San Pierino-dinner by Santa Croce
Vini e Vicchi- must make reservations, near Piazza Della Signoria
steria Pastel – The truffle pasta, made on a Grana Padano cheese wheel
Il Santo Bevitore– Located in Oltrarno neighborhood- recommended by a local Right across the Arno
Il Barretto– By Ponte vecchio
Osteria Santo Spirito–truffle gnocchi-way across the arno
Golden View restaurant (has view of Ponte Vecchio Bridge)
La Loggia Restaurant (Villa San Michele, Belmont Hotel), one of the city’s finest dining establishments
Gelato
BEST WE HAD EVER: Perche no! (Right by Piazza Della Signoria )
Gelateria Della Passera: (Across the Arno)
La Strega Nocciola Right by the duomo
Gelateria dei Neri (along the river towards Santa Croce)
Gelateria Santo Trinita- (Across the Arno)
More casual / Sandwiches
Osteria All’Antico Vinaio (behind the piazza della signoria, along the river)
I Fratellini right by piazza Della signoria
Panini Toscani between duomo and north of piazza Della signoria
Da Vinattieri between duomo and north of piazza Della signoria
SandwiChic
Lunch at Mercato Centrale (map of food spots)
The Lampredotto sandwich made by Lorenzo Nigro on the ground floor is an authentic Florentine treat.
Vivoli for affogato afternoon rest by piazza Della signoria close to Santa croce
Rooftops:
Rinascente
Grand Hotel Minerva
La Terrazza bar at the Hotel Continentale
B-Roof at Hotel Baglioni – Lunch
Robiglio
Favorite gelateria in Florence: Perche No Gelateria (Via dei Tavolini, 19r, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy)
Day One Outfits
Day Two Outfits
Giotto’s Bell Tower Climb & Church Entry Tickets:
Prada Bag
Dior Bag
Local dinner spot: Ristorante Pensavo Peggio – DELICIOUS
Stripe Cardigan I wore a lot here
I hope you enjoyed today’s post of Rome and Florence itinerary, what to do and see and all the things! I share a weekly newsletter recapping sales, outfits, etc so be on the look out for that!
I
