Italy is so adored by travelers it’s nearly impossible to meet someone who doesn’t light up at the opportunity to talk about their favorite gelataria in Florence or a must-visit boutique they stumbled upon in Rome. There is no one exact formula to create a perfect Italy trip, you can visit a million times and experience something new or different each time and that’s the beauty of Italy.

There are many ways to do this trip, but to make the most of your time and keep travel efficient I recommend flying into Milan and working your way south or vice versa in Naples and traveling north. This trip includes stops in Lake Como, Florence, Rome and the Amalfi Coast.

IMPORTANT ITALY TRAVEL TIPS

Italy uses the EURO for currency. The exchange rate for Americans fluctuates, but typically 1 Euro equals 1.09 United States Dollar meaning Americans will be spending more to travel to Italy.
Almost all shops and restaurants accept credit card, but keep some cash on hand for taxis and tipping. The best place to get EURO is from your home bank before you leave for Italy. The exchange kiosks at the airports charge hefty fees for swapping currency leaving you with only a fraction of the amount you originally had. Your home bank will have the most competitive exchange rates and usually need 48-72 hours in advance to get you EURO.
Public transportation is great in Italy and you can use the train to get almost anywhere you need. Every destination in this itinerary is accessible by train with some car transfers or ferries need in Lake Como and Amalfi. You can purchase train tickets (I use Italia Rail or Trainline) 45-60 days in advance. Be sure to book the high-speed train like the Frecciarossa when possible. If you’re traveling with big suitcases, premium or first class seating is an absolute must and only costs slightly more. Domestic flights aren’t necessary unless you’re traveling to Sicily or Sardinia.
High season for Italy is June - September meaning more tourists, higher hotel rates and busy tours. For a more cost-effective trip consider visiting during shoulder season which is March - May and October - November. One important thing to note is that if the Amalfi Coast and Capri are a non-negotiable for your itinerary, many of the hotels are seasonal and close November - early April.
During high season especially it’s imperative to book tours and restaurant reservations in advance. For lunch it’s ok to be more casual and find something on the street, but for dinner specifically reservations are encouraged. Some restaurants will close from 3-6 PM for siesta, reopening for dinner service.
If you’re used to sleeping on an American king-sized bed, you’re not going to find that in Italy. What’s more common is a “double” bed, which is two Twin mattresses pushed together with a topper to make it one bed that’s not quite as large as a King or Queen sized mattress, it’s somewhere in between.

Lake Como (3 days)

Lago di Como (Lake Como) is known for its dramatic scenery, set against the foothills of the Alps, it’s truly something out of a fairytale. The lake is shaped like an upside down “Y” with the biggest towns being Como (the most accessible) and Bellagio in the center, about a 1-hour ferry ride from Como town. It’s also one of the deepest lakes in Europe with the deepest point measuring at 1,300 ft, which can be terrifying or fascinating for some! This is the perfect destination for R&R with most of your time being spent lounging at one of the stunning resorts, on a boat, or walking the charming villages. While beautiful and worth the visit, the downside of Lake Como is that getting here in the high season can be somewhat complicated and very expensive with the influx of visitors and a shortage of taxi drivers, crammed ferries and overbooked restaurants. It’s always recommended to secure transfers and tours far in advance.

In terms of transportation around the lake, many bigger villages like Bellagio, Tremezzo and Cernobbio are accessible via ferry departing at the docks in Como. This will be the most cost-effective means to getting around the lake. Flying in to Milan is advised and if you’re an experienced traveler and feel comfortable navigating the train from the Milan airport to Como there is a nonstop train that will get you to Como in just over an hour. If you’re flying international, battling jet lag and trying to get your bearings on the first leg of the trip, I highly recommend a private driver. This is typically quicker, but more expensive with rides costing anywhere between €150 - 350.

Hotels

Contact me to book your Italy hotels and receive exclusive perks like complimentary room upgrades, hotel credits, etc.

Villa D’este | Cernobbio They just celebrated their 150th anniversary as a hotel, this is an extremely historic and iconic property on the lake. They are known for their sprawling gardens, floating swimming pool and traditional, classic style. Cernobbio village is walkable from the hotel offering upscale shops, pharmacies and gardens a big plus on the lake! They also have 13 house boats only available to guests.
Mandarin Oriental | Blavio Just across the lake from Villa D’este, the Mandarin offers something different for travelers who enjoy more spacious, contemporary rooms. They just completed a build out of a multi-million dollar spa complete with hot and cold plunge pools. They also offer complimentary shuttle services into Como town which is a great amenity especially considering how expensive it can be to get around the lake.
Grand Hotel Tremezzo: The “it” place to stay on Lake Como, it’s a family-run hotel that combines contemporary and classic design located just across from Bellagio with spectacular views in a central part of the lake.
Il Sereno | Torno An anomaly when it comes to the other traditional hotels on the lake, this super modern, intimate hotel is great for guests looking for ultimate privacy.
Villa Passalacqua | Moltrasio A restored 24-room family owned mansion just 10-minutes north of Villa d’Este and the sister hotel to Grand Hotel Tremezzo. This hotel is thoughtfully designed and the newest on the lake just over a year old. It has the charm of the historic hotels on the lake, but with modern conveniences. During the summer they offer programming on their five terraces from garden movie nights to yoga. They even have their own chicken coop!

Activities/Sightseeing

Private boat tour of the lake
Walk around Como town and Bellagio village
Villa Carlotta (Tremezzo)
Villa Balbianello (Tremezzo)
Visit Brunate and via cable car (starts in Como)
Basilica of Sant'Abbondio (Como)
Duomo Cathedral (Como)
Lake Como Greenway Hike

Florence (3 days)

I’ve never met a traveler who doesn’t love Florence. It’s a bustling city with incredible dining, shopping, history and architecture while remaining totally walkable with the rolling Tuscan countryside nearby. Since it’s so easy to get around you can knock out the major sightseeing in a matter of 3 days. If you’re looking for a longer stay, you could easily spend 5+ days here with 3 spent in the city center and another 2-3 in the countryside. There are many direct trains to Florence from Milan, Venice, Rome and plenty of regional trains that will take you to smaller towns in Tuscany like Arezzo and Siena.

There are so many ways to experience Florence and Tuscany, it just comes down to what you’re looking for. If it’s your first time to Florence I always recommend making the city center your home base and booking day trips to the countryside. If you’ve visited before you may want to spend only a day or two in Florence then venture out to nearby towns like Pisa, Siena or Arezzo for wine tasting and R&R.

Hotels

Contact me to book your Italy hotels and receive exclusive perks like complimentary room upgrades, hotel credits, etc.

Four Seasons Firenze Once owned by the infamous Medici family, this stunning property feels more like a museum with its history and sprawling gardens. It’s the only hotel in the city center with a pool and private garden. This is a great option for travelers looking for a quieter location while still remaining walking distance to everything.
Potrait Firenze: Located right next to Ponte Vecchio, this Ferragamo-family run hotel offers apartment-style accommodations with views of the Arno River.
Rocco Forte Hotel Savoy: Located in the center of the city’s Piazza della Republica, the Savoy offers more contemporary rooms and decor, which can be hard to find in Italy!
Brunelleschi Hotel: Solid 4-star option with the oldest building in Florence dating over 1,500 years old. Guests can actually stay in the castle part of the hotel and there is an onsite museum with an original Roman bath. Great location with beautiful views of the Duomo. Not a great choice for older travelers as there are many stairs.
The Westin Excelsior: Another great 4-star option in the heart of the city with a traditional feel and lots of history.
Gallery Art Hotel: 4-star option in the Lungarno portfolio and newer construction with a more contemporary feel in the rooms.

Activities/Sightseeing

Vespa tour of Florence
Bike tour with picnic
Cooking and pasta making classes
Private or group tour of the Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore, bell tower, and baptistry
Ponte Vecchio shopping and walk
Private or group tour of Uffizi Gallery
Private or group tour of the Accademia (Statue of David)
Villa Gamberaia
Gucci Gardens and museum
San Lorenzo Market (Leather, clothing, souvenirs)
Wine tasting in the countryside

Dining

Paninis

All’Antico Vinaio (The most famous panini spot, but expect to wait in line at least 1 hour)
Pino's Sandwiches
Girone De’ Ghiotti
I Fratellini

Lunch/Dinner

La Cucina del Ghiandi
Cammillo Trattoria
Paoli (The oldest restaurant in Florence with beautiful frescoes still intact)
La Giostra
Buca Lapi
Osteria Della Tre Panche
Trattoria Gargani
Trattoria 13 Gobbi
Ristorante Parione
Osteria Vini e Vecchi Sapori
Trattoria Mario
Antico Noe
Grom (gelato)
Paszkowski Bar
Gelateria Perchè

Amalfi Coast (5 days)

This is most likely what you’re coming to Italy for! The Amalfi Coast is by far the most requested destination for couples and it’s one of those destinations that’s actually worth the hype you see on social media. Many travelers like to spend a minimum of three days on the coast then ferry over to Capri for a couple of days. For an island, Capri is very bustling offering the best luxury shopping and beach clubs. There are a few important things to know before heading to the Amalfi Coast that will make or break your trip:

If you are planning on visiting during high season (June - September) expect hotel rates in ideal towns like Positano, Amalfi and Ravello to be well over $1,000/night. This is a splurge destination and it’s crucial to stay in a good area along the coast so it’s worth adjusting your budget in other parts of your itinerary if needed.
Amalfi Coast hotels should ideally be booked 8-9 months in advance for the best rates and availability. While this is anxiety-inducing for some to book so far in advance it’s necessary and many of the hotels offer flexible cancellation with no money due at booking.
Most of the coast is not walkable from the hotels unless you’re staying in one of the villages. When you arrive in the actual villages, yes you can walk to shops and restaurants, but the coast is very rocky and many hotels sit high along the cliffs only accessible via small, winding roads.
Leave the driving to the experts and hire a private driver to get to/from your hotel, tourists should not rent cars. This is wildly unsafe and the roads are much smaller than what you’d see in America. The traffic during warm weather months is unbearable and you’ll find that cars have to pull off the side of the road many times to allow oncoming traffic to pass. The car companies control the rates because there’s limited transportation available and other options like ferries and buses take much longer.
Consider your overall health and if you’ve had any recent knee or back issues because you will be walking up many cobblestone steps and streets to explore these villages.
This is not a destination that offers pristine, white sand beaches that you’ll find in the Caribbean, expect pebble and rocky beaches.The only hotel that offers a private beach is Borgo Santandrea, but most hotels have a “beach” club which consists of platform along the water with steps or stairs to get in plus food/beverage service.

Hotels

Contact me to book your Italy hotels and receive exclusive perks like complimentary room upgrades, hotel credits, etc.

Borgo Sant Andrea: (Amalfi) This has quickly moved into the #1 spot as my favorite hotel in the world. It’s only four years old and the design is contemporary with 25 different variations of hand painted tiles across the property. The attention to detail and level of service is impeccable. They also offer complimentary shuttles into Amalfi town (15 minutes away). This is the only hotel along the coast that has a private beach.
Hotel Santa Caterina: (Amalfi) This is great for travelers looking for a more “authentic” Italian resort run by a wonderfully warm family and it’s the only hotel offering a seaside pool.
Palazzo Avino: (Ravello) The Avino sisters run this property and even live onsite during high season so expect to see them during your stay! It’s truly a paradise slightly removed from the coast and is located in the mountain-top village of Ravello with warm service and a spectacular garden setting with sweeping views of the coast. I absolutely love this property and highly recommend for a split stay meaning spend a couple of days at another hotel closer to the water then head here. You can walk to many restaurants and shops from this hotel!
Casa Angelina: (Praino) More minimalist, white-washed property that looks like it belongs in Greece with a beautiful rooftop restaurant and bar offering beautiful views of Positano. Their beach club is only accessible via steps so keep that in mind!
Le Sirenuse: (Positano) I’d say this is the most well-known hotel on the coast, mostly due to the influx of influencers and celebrities who frequent Le Sirenuse. It’s hard to miss their red building and this is a great option for those who prefer to have access to walk around the town of Positano and the local beach.
Il San Pietro: (Positano) An exclusive oceanfront resort with a see-and-be-seen crowd in one of the most coveted seaside lounges in Italy, just 5 minutes drive outside of the main village of Positano.
Belmond Hotel Caruso (Ravello) This is located right next to Palazzo Avino and also offers walkability into Ravello. It’s a meticulously restored palace with the most iconic pool on the coast offering sweeping views of the ocean.
JK Capri: A boutique hotel located on cliff overlooking the sea by the marina. This is the ideal location for travelers who want to be slightly removed from the action.
Tiberio Palace: (Capri) Tiberio Palace is ideal for people who want to be in the middle of it and centrally located in Capri with a whimsical and fun vibe.
Villa La Palma: (Capri) In the very center of Capri Town this hotel is from the team behind Hotel du Cap, with one of the hottest bars on the island.
Capri Palace: Located in the secluded town of Anacapri, on top of the island’s mountains, Capri Palace is a great choice for those who’ve been to Capri a time or two and want true R&R.

Activities/Sightseeing

Lemon farm tour
Private boat day along the coast
Experience the Blue Grotto via boat
Summer concerts in Ravello
Tour Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrione in Ravello
Private or group cooking class in Positano
Ceramics shopping (the coast is known for beautiful, handcrafted ceramic pieces)
Hikes: The Path of Gods and Valle delle Ferriere both in Amalfi
La Fontelina beach club (Capri)
Arienzo Beach Club in Positano
Visit the Gardens of Augustus (Capri)
Get handmade sandals from the sandal maker Canfora. Jackie Kennedy got her sandals from here!

Dining

Lido Azzurro (Amalfi)
Pasticceria Sal De Riso (Minori)
LA Sponda at Le Sirenuse
Lo Scoglio (Marina di Cantone, featured on Stanley Tucci’s show)
Cumpa Cosimo (Ravello) My personal favorite!
La Cambusa (Positano)
La Tonnarella (accessible via boat from Borgo Santandrea)
Trattoria Ippocampo
Trattoria da Gemma (Amalfi)
Pasticerria Pansa

Rome (3 days)

Chances are you’ll be spending at least one day of your trip in Rome as their international airport offers the most nonstop flights from the U.S. Like any big city, expect busy streets, vendors peddling trinkets, and lots of walking! The difference between Rome and major U.S. cities is the sheer amount of history and day-to-day life takes place in buildings that are thousands of years old. The great part is much of the major sightseeing like the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and Pantheon are all free and can easily be done in one day leaving the other days open for scheduled tours and getting lost in the city.

Hotels

Contact me to book your Italy hotels and receive exclusive perks like complimentary room upgrades, hotel credits, etc.

Hotel de Russie: The place to “see and be seen” in Rome, they have a secret courtyard garden and it’s worth a visit even if you’re not staying there. Centrally located by the Spanish Steps and Palazzo di Popollo.
Six Senses Rome: The newest hotel in Rome and the perfect combination of contemporary and historic. Just a couple minute walk from the Trevi Fountain, they focus on wellness with a beautiful modern Roman bath experience and lavish spa. This is a great break from the traditional hotels you’ll find in most Italian cities.
Hotel De la Ville: Located just atop the Spanish Steps, it’s the sister hotel to De Russie and has a great contemporary art collection.
Hotel Eden: Very glamorous and traditional with great dining onsite also centrally located.
Hotel Hassler: For traditionalists, this hotel is located at the top of the Spanish Steps with beautiful views and a central location.
St. Regis Rome: A beautifully resorted hotel that fuses traditional style, large rooms and a rotating contemporary art collection. Their bar is a must-see.
Villa Agrippina: Great for families with spacious, connecting room options and one of the only hotels with a pool! It’s located just across the river closer to the very local Trastevere neighborhood.
Regina Baglioni Roma: One of the best value in Rome!
Babuino 181: More of a serviced-apartment feel, this is a great 4-star option with an unbeatable location
Hotel Locarno: Traditional, boutique hotel with a beautiful courtyard and complimentary bikes
First Roma Dolce: The name says it all, this hotel has an amazing onsite bakery with a huge pastry selection daily.