Rome, Florence & Venice by Rail
High-speed rail connecting Rome, Florence, and Venice, including a day trip to Pisa and Lucca, and the Venetian Lagoon islands.
The most classic north-south route for first-time visitors to Italy, relying entirely on high-speed trains and walking, with no car rental needed. Spend four nights in Rome exploring ancient ruins and the Vatican, three nights in Florence for Renaissance art and a day trip to Pisa and Lucca, and finish with two nights in Venice. Skipping the Cinque Terre and Amalfi Coast allows for a more relaxed pace in each city.
Popular venues require advance booking during peak season; midsummer is extremely hot and crowded.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in Rome & Stroll the Historic Center
Rome（Spanish Steps、Trevi Fountain、Pantheon、Piazza Navona）
Take the airport express train (approx. 30 minutes) to Termini Station. In the afternoon, walk from the Spanish Steps to Piazza Navona.
Stay: Historic Centre (Pantheon & Piazza Navona)
Day 2 · Ancient Rome Day
Rome（Colosseum、Roman Forum / Palatine Hill、Capitoline Museums、Altare della Patria (Vittoriano)）
Walk or take the metro from the historic center to the Colosseum. The sites are adjacent, so expect to walk all day.
The Colosseum requires timed-entry tickets, which must be booked in advance.
Stay: Historic Centre (Pantheon & Piazza Navona)
Day 3 · The Vatican & the Tiber Riverbank
Rome（Vatican Museums、St. Peter's Basilica、Castel Sant'Angelo）
Take the metro or bus to the Vatican, then walk back to the historic center along the Tiber River in the afternoon.
The Vatican Museums are usually closed on Sundays; book your tickets as early as possible.
Stay: Historic Centre (Pantheon & Piazza Navona)
Day 4 · Borghese & Trastevere
Rome（Galleria Borghese、Villa Borghese Gardens & Pincio Terrace、Campo de' Fiori、Trastevere）
Take a bus to Villa Borghese in the morning, then walk or take transit to Trastevere in the afternoon.
The Borghese Gallery requires pre-booked timed-entry slots.
Stay: Historic Centre (Pantheon & Piazza Navona)
Day 5 · High-Speed Train to Florence
Florence & Tuscany（Florence Cathedral (Duomo)、Giotto's Campanile、Ponte Vecchio、Piazzale Michelangelo）
Take a high-speed train from Termini Station to Santa Maria Novella Station in the morning (approx. 1.5 hours), and explore on foot in the afternoon.
Climbing the Duomo dome must be booked well in advance.
Stay: Santa Maria Novella and Station Area
Day 6 · Renaissance Art Museum Day
Florence & Tuscany（Galleria dell'Accademia、Mercato Centrale、Piazza della Signoria、Uffizi Gallery）
Walk everywhere in the historic center; it takes about 15 minutes to walk from the Accademia Gallery to the Uffizi.
The Uffizi and Accademia are closed on Mondays; swap this day with the next if it falls on a Monday.
Stay: Santa Maria Novella and Station Area
Day 7 · Lucca & Pisa Rail Day Trip
Florence & Tuscany（Lucca、Leaning Tower of Pisa）
Take a regional train from Florence to Lucca (approx. 1.5 hours), transfer to Pisa (approx. 30 minutes), and return in the evening.
Climbing the Leaning Tower of Pisa requires a pre-booked time slot.
Stay: Santa Maria Novella and Station Area
Day 8 · High-Speed Train to Venice
Venice（Grand Canal & Rialto Bridge、Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari、Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute）
Take a high-speed train to Venice Santa Lucia Station (approx. 2+ hours). In the afternoon, walk or take a vaporetto (water bus) along the Grand Canal.
Make sure your train ticket is to Santa Lucia Station; overnight guests must also register for an exemption on Venice access fee days.
Stay: Cannaregio
Day 9 · In-Depth Day in San Marco
Venice（St. Mark's Square & Basilica、Doge's Palace、Bridge of Sighs、St Mark's Campanile）
Walk or take a vaporetto from your accommodation to St. Mark's Square, and spend the day exploring on foot.
Lines at St. Mark's Basilica can be very long; try to go early in the morning.
Stay: Cannaregio
Day 10 · Lagoon Islands & Departure
Take a vaporetto to Murano in the morning, and continue to Burano if time permits. Afterwards, take a boat or bus to the airport (approx. 40 minutes).
If your flight is around midday, head directly to the airport instead.