2 Week North Italy Itinerary

From Canada we flew into Paris, which is typically a cheaper flight than flying into Rome. That being said if you can get to Rome directly, we recommend you start there. In Rome, we took the train from the airport into the city (about an hour) and with an early flight this meant a quick nap before exploring the city.

For those who have not travelled to Europe before, I recommend using the Trainline app to purchase your tickets which can help you avoid any line ups.

Day 1: Rome

Since you might need some time to adjust, we recommend using the first day to get lost in the streets. We ended up stumbling across most of the major attractions including

Day 2: Rome

• Morning:

  • Start your day early with a visit to the Colosseum. Arriving early helps beat the crowds.

  • Explore the Roman Forum adjacent to the Colosseum, where you can see ancient ruins and temples.

• Afternoon:

  • Head to Palatine Hill, the legendary birthplace of Rome, offering panoramic views of the city.

  • Visit the nearby Capitoline Hill and explore the Capitoline Museums, housing a vast collection of ancient Roman artifacts.

• Evening:

  • Wander through the charming streets of Trastevere, known for its lively atmosphere and authentic Roman trattorias. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 2: Vatican City and Baroque Rome

• Morning:

  • Visit the Vatican Museums early to avoid long lines and crowds. Explore the vast collection of art and sculptures, including the famous Sistine Chapel.

  • Stroll through St. Peter's Square and admire St. Peter's Basilica, the largest church in the world.

• Afternoon:

  • Have lunch in the vicinity of the Vatican City.

  • Explore the Castel Sant'Angelo, a towering cylindrical building originally built as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian.

• Evening:

  • Spend the evening exploring the Baroque landmarks of Rome. Visit the Spanish Steps and the nearby Trevi Fountain, throwing a coin to ensure your return to Rome.

  • Enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants in the historic center.

Day 3: Cinque Terre

We did a day trip to Cinque Terre.

Day 4: Venice

• Day 4: Travel to Venice, explore St. Mark's Square, visit St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace. Take a gondola ride along the canals.

• Day 5: Spend a day wandering through the charming streets of Venice, visit the Rialto Bridge, and explore the neighborhoods of Cannaregio and Dorsoduro.

• Day 6: Take a day trip to the nearby islands of Murano and Burano to see glassblowing and colorful houses, respectively.

Day 7-9: Verona and Lake Garda

• Day 7: Travel to Verona, visit Juliet's House and balcony, explore the Roman Arena, and stroll along the Adige River.

• Day 8: Spend the day relaxing at Lake Garda, enjoy water activities like swimming, sailing, or simply relax by the lakeside. Visit Sirmione and its Scaliger Castle.

• Day 9: Explore the picturesque town of Malcesine, take the cable car up Monte Baldo for stunning views, and wander through the town's medieval streets.

Day 10-12: Florence

• Day 10: Travel to Florence, visit the iconic landmarks such as the Florence Cathedral (Duomo), Giotto's Bell Tower, and the Uffizi Gallery.

• Day 11: Explore the historic center of Florence, visit the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo's David, and wander through the charming streets of Oltrarno.

• Day 12: Take a day trip to the Tuscan countryside, visit the towns of Siena and San Gimignano, known for their medieval architecture and stunning landscapes.

Day 12-14: Milan

• Day 1: Arrival in Milan, explore the city center, visit the iconic Duomo di Milano, and stroll through Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

• Day 2: Spend the day at Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece, "The Last Supper," in the Santa Maria delle Grazie church. Explore the fashion district and shop in Quadrilatero della Moda.

• Day 3: Take a day trip to Lake Como, enjoy the scenic beauty, visit Villa del Balbianello or Villa Carlotta, and take a boat tour on the lake.

Perfect Packing List for 10 Days in Central America

I recently had the opportunity to do a 10 day trip with one of my best friends, in which we visited two countries in Central America - El Salvador and Costa Rica. Although I have not yet perfected my packing lists, I think this trip I came a little bit closer to having everything I needed and would recommend to anyone doing a similar trip.

As a suggested list to get you started, I encourage you to reach out with any recommendations/additions that you would recommend as must-have items. Here is what we have so far:

Personal Item

In this case, since I did need to bring my laptop my personal item was a small backpack. However, I am all for travelling light whenever possible. So, laptop (which I have listed as an optional item) aside what I would ideally recommend is a personal item the size of the Uniqlo Round Mini Shoulder Bag. I know tons of people had recommended this bag in the past, I wasn’t convinced it would offer that much extra space than my Lululemon belt bag. However, it is big enough you can fit a small book or a plastic water bottle. If you decide to go this route, you might have to redistribute the following items …

• Water bottle (Swell)

• Money and a small change purse/wallet

• Passport

• Book (optional)

• USB charger for airdrop

• Extra power block and charging cable

• Hairbrush

• Laptop & Charger (OPTIONAL)

  I have a remote job and typically try to do a day or two of work while away to maximize the number of trips I can do each year. Since, you might have different circumstances this is an optional item. I felt safe taking my old laptop around with me and my backpack has a secure place to store it, however, if you don’t need your electronics you can avoid this item altogether and pack a little bit lighter.

Carry-On

I use the Osprey Fairview 40 Women’s Travel Backpack and a set of cheap packing cubes from Amazon, although I have heard the compression packing cubes are well worth the investment. So these are the ones I am considering. Open to hearing if these are in fact better from anyone that has tried them in the past.

• 1 pair of jeans

• Black tank top

• White tank top

• Black puffer (that can roll up)

• Black hoodie

• 1 pair of runners (you might need two if you plan on hiking) In this case our hikes were moderate and I brought my Air Forces.

• Sun hat or baseball cap (I recommend baseball caps which pack better)

• Underwear (one per night in case laundry unavailable)

• Pajamas

• Cover up

• Silk skirt

• Black t shirt

• White t shirt

• Tan shorts

• Biker shorts

• Effortless pants

• Sandals (Tevas) - Link here

  I know this one is not always a popular choice. However, after seeing these sandals come up on TikTok consistently and purchasing a pair to try, I highly recommend any “backpacker” or otherwise traveller consider them. They are comfortable for walking, good for rocky beaches (which we experienced in El Salvador) and since they are waterproof are great for showers that you might have to share.