I stood in St. Mark’s Square in Venice, watching my daughter Lily try to feed a pigeon that was clearly more interested in her gelato. My husband Michael was already checking the map for the nearest vaporetto stop, and Ethan was asleep in the stroller. It was our third Italian city in ten days, and I had that familiar, slightly panicked feeling — the one that asks if we’re doing this right. Should we have swapped Venice for Florence? Added Paris? Dropped Rome entirely? If you’re building a first-time Italy itinerary, the two most common paths are the classic trio of Rome, Florence, and Venice, or a broader swing that includes Paris or London. I’ve traveled both routes, and the answer depends on what you actually want from your trip.
If you have 10–14 days and want depth, stick with Rome, Florence, and Venice. If you have 14+ days and crave variety, add Paris or London — but expect to trade slower moments for more train rides.
First-time travelers to Italy
Couples wanting romance
Families with young kids
Rome, Florence, Venice: The Classic Italian Triangle
This is the route most people picture when they think of Italy — and for good reason.
High-speed trains connect all three cities, with Rome to Florence taking roughly 1.5 hours and Florence to Venice around 2 hours, according to Price of Travel. That means you can base yourself in one city and still do day trips, though I recommend at least three nights per city. The average daily cost across these cities runs between €150 and €280, covering accommodation, meals, and entry fees.
Rome gives you the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Vatican. Florence delivers the Uffizi Gallery, the Duomo, and Michelangelo’s David. Venice offers the Grand Canal, St. Mark’s Square, and the Rialto Bridge. Each city has a distinct personality — Rome is ancient and chaotic, Florence is refined and walkable, Venice is surreal and waterlogged.
Book your Colosseum and Vatican Museums tickets online before you leave. The CoopCulture site handles Colosseum tickets, and the Vatican Museums official site sells timed entries. Walk-up lines can eat two hours of your day.
Adding Paris or London: The Bigger Picture
If you have two weeks or more, adding a non-Italian city changes the rhythm of your trip.
Open-jaw tickets — flying into Paris and out of Rome, for example — can be cost-effective, as noted by Price of Travel. A flight from Paris to Venice can occasionally be cheaper than the train, though high-speed rail remains the most reliable option within Italy. Paris requires a minimum of three nights, and you’ll want at least four to see the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and a few neighborhoods without rushing.
London adds a different layer — English-speaking, with world-class museums and a completely different food scene. But it also adds travel time. A flight from London to Rome takes about two and a half hours, plus airport transfers. That’s half a day gone, which matters when you’re on a tight schedule.
Adding a fourth city means you’ll spend more time in transit and less time wandering. With kids, that trade-off is real. Ethan got restless on the Florence-to-Venice train, and I can’t imagine doing that twice in one trip.
Which Route Fits Your Travel Style?
The right choice depends on your priorities, not just your available days.
| Factor | Rome, Florence, Venice | Rome, Paris, London (or similar) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum days needed | 9–10 | 12–14 |
| Train time between cities | 1.5–2 hours | 2.5+ hours (plus flights) |
| Cultural variety | Italian only | Italian + French/British |
| Kid-friendliness | High (short trains, familiar food) | Moderate (longer travel, different languages) |
| Best for | Deep Italy immersion | Broader European experience |
If you’re a first-time traveler to Italy, the classic triangle gives you the most concentrated experience. You see the three most iconic cities without the fatigue of international travel between them. If you’ve already been to Italy or want a wider taste of Europe, adding Paris or London makes sense — but only if you have the time to do it without rushing.
- Stick to Rome, Florence, and Venice if you have 10 days or fewer — the train connections are fast and reliable.
- Add Paris or London only if you have at least 14 days and are comfortable with longer travel days.
- Book key attraction tickets online before you go to avoid wasting time in line.
Before You Go to Italy
Is Venice worth visiting with kids?
Yes, but plan around the crowds. Spring and early summer are the best times, though flooding can be an issue. Gondola rides are expensive — around €80 for a 30-minute ride — but kids love them.
Stick to the smaller canals and early morning walks to avoid the worst of the crowds. Our family found the vaporetto system easy to use with a stroller.
How many days do I need in Florence?
Three to four days is ideal. That gives you time for the Uffizi, the Duomo, and a day trip into the Tuscan countryside. Two days feels rushed, especially if you want to see Michelangelo’s David without sprinting through the Accademia.
Florence is compact and walkable, which makes it easier with kids than Rome.
Is Rome, Florence, Venice too touristy?
Yes, especially in peak season. The Colosseum and St. Mark’s Square are packed from June through August. But the crowds thin out in shoulder seasons — March to May and September to October.
If you want to avoid the worst of it, book early morning tickets and visit popular spots on weekdays.
Should I skip Venice and go to Florence instead?
That depends on what you want. Venice is unique — there’s nowhere else like it. But it’s also expensive and prone to flooding. Florence offers more art, better food, and easier day trips.
If you only have time for two cities, Florence is the better choice for most travelers. Venice is worth it if you’re willing to deal with the crowds and cost.
What’s the biggest downside of adding Paris or London?
Travel time. You lose at least half a day moving between countries, and that’s time you could spend exploring. The cultural shift is also jarring — going from Rome’s chaos to Paris’s order takes adjustment.
If you’re on a tight budget, the extra flights and accommodation can push your daily cost well above the €280 average.
Making the Call That Fits Your Trip
I’ve done both routes, and I keep coming back to the same conclusion: the classic triangle gives you more Italy per day. You spend less time in transit and more time eating, walking, and getting lost. That matters when you’re traveling with a seven-year-old who wants to see the Trevi Fountain and a four-year-old who just wants to run in a piazza. If you have the time and the energy for a fourth city, go for it. But don’t underestimate the value of staying put and letting a place sink in. For more on making the most of your time in Venice, read our guide to exploring Venice’s treasures and local secrets.
Sources and further reading
Rappler. “How to plan a trip to Italy including Rome, Venice, Florence.” 🔗
Price of Travel. “Best first-time itineraries: Italy and France.” 🔗
Segv Tours. “Compare Rome, Venice and Florence.” 🔗
Related reading on Emily in Italy
Venice at Dawn: Why Getting Up Early Is the Best Decision You’ll Make — Practical advice for beating the crowds and seeing Venice in a quieter light.
Venice Food: Must-Try Eateries — A rundown of the best places to eat in Venice, from cicchetti bars to family-friendly restaurants.
Italy’s Heartbeat: Rome to Milan by Train — What to expect on Italy’s high-speed rail network, including tips for traveling with kids.