This sample route has been retired from the collection. It stays here so links and trips already built from it keep working. Trips you have saved are not changed. See the current Italy itineraries.
6-8 days · Rome → Venice · $150–$249/night
Best months: Winter (Dec–Feb)
Day 1 — Rome, Testaccio
Entry is capped by the hour and sells out days in advance in peak season — this is the 'accidental miss' visitors regret most.
Day 2 — Rome, Testaccio
This is the closest you'll get to gladiator-level Rome — small groups, real hypogeum access, and it sells out weeks ahead in high season.
Check availability on TiqetsDay 3 — Rome, Testaccio
Getting in before the crowds is the single biggest quality-of-visit lever for the Vatican — regular-entry lines can eat half a morning.
Day 4 — Venice, Dorsoduro
Trenitalia runs many direct Frecciarossa trains at about 4 hours (3h59 to 4h20); Italo also runs direct. Checked against Trenitalia's journey search for 14 October 2026.
Check train timesDay 5 — Venice, Dorsoduro
This gets you into rooms the standard palace ticket doesn't — including the actual prison cells.
Day 6 — Venice, Dorsoduro
The entry line here is one of the worst in Venice without a reservation — this fixes that.
Day 7 — Departure
- Borghese Gallery guided tour (timed entry required): Book roughly 21 days ahead in high season
- Colosseum, underground & arena floor tour: Book roughly 21 days ahead in high season
€1,017–€2,975
For 1 people, 6 nights — about €145–€425 per day
- Rome (3n): lodging €347–€866, food €150–€240
- Venice (3n): lodging €347–€866, food €200–€320
Costs and transfer times are honest ranges from our shared cost-data and transfer research, not live prices or a fixed itinerary — swap any day, and confirm booking details before you go. A “Regional pick” is a real, bookable experience somewhere in that region, not necessarily walking distance from the base named above — check its own location before planning your day around it. Some booking links on this page are affiliate links, at no extra cost to you — see our affiliate disclosure.