5 Days in Rome and Florence

You will likely arrive in Rome in the morning or mid-afternoon, so it's a great time to check-in to your hotel, freshen up and grab a bite to eat at a local cafe. You will likely be tired from traveling, so I recommend enjoying the Welcome to Rome experience, which will be a terrific starting point for your time in Rome.

Depending on your arrival time, I recommend lunch at Antico Forno Roscioli, which is a short walk away from the Welcome to Rome experience and features delicious pizza by the slice.

If you have time, enjoy a Hop-on Hop-off Bus tour of the city or experience a private golf cart tour of the beautiful city of Rome.

No trip to Rome is complete without a trip to the Colosseum. Book a guided tour and enjoy the full experience. I recommend booking your tour first thing in the morning, as there should be fewer crowds and in the summer, cooler temperatures.

Explore the Capitoline Museum, which is a group of art and archaeological museums located in Piazza del Campidoglio, on top of the Capitoline Hill. The museum is home to some of the most iconic statues in Rome and houses a collection of ancient Roman art and artifacts. It is considered to be one of the oldest public museums in the world.

For dinner, take a cooking class! Take a break from sightseeing and take a cooking class to learn one of Italy's famous cuisines - pasta!

Enjoy a tour of Vatican City, the Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museum and St. Peter's Basilica. There are many companies that provide you with a small group-tour experience, but I highly recommend you book your excursion early, as they sell out quickly. After your tour, explore more of Vatican City on your own, including the Gardens of Vatican City, and enjoy the ambiance in a local cafe for a snack or lunch.

Note: A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements.

Love food? Take a food tour for dinner! Enjoy a culinary walking tour with a guide and learn the local secrets, try samples of traditional Italian foods and desserts and taste the local specialties.

Enjoy breakfast in Rome and then take a train from Rome to your next stop: Florence! Around a 2-hour train ride, Florence allows you to immerse yourself in history, architecture and of course, delicious food and wine.

For art lovers, visit the Accademia Gallery of Florence to see Michaelangelo's David, and The Uffizi Gallery to view Botticelli's Venus. Piazza del Duomo contains Accademia Gallery and then you can climb to the top of Brunelleschi’s famous Duomo that caps the Florence Cathedral.

There are many tours you can book on your first day, including:

• Taking a Vespa tour through Tuscany where you travel through the scenic hills, famous churches and enjoy delicious food and wine.

• Who doesn't love pizza?! Take a pizza making and gelato class for an unforgettable culinary experience.

• Florence sunset walking tour with food and wine tastings. What isn't to love? Experience the rich culture and flavors of Tuscany while exploring the beautiful city.

Take a day trip from Florence to Pisa, knowing for its iconic Leaning Tower. Not only will you see this landmark, but several other beautiful places, such as the Piazza del Miracoli (where the Leaning Tower resides) and the birthplace of Galileo. There are several museums and art galleries. Pisa is also home to delicious seafood dishes and of course, wine!

Want to book a tour to Pisa? I recommend a local guided tour that also includes the cities of Siena, San Gimignano, and Pisa. Some tours include lunch and wine tastings, as well as exploring the gothic cathedral in Siena.