The Italian Grand Tour

Who it is for

For a first trip to Italy with art and architecture in Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan.

Not for anyone who wants to focus the trip on beaches; this proposal devotes the days to city centres and museums.

The strategy

The trip runs from Rome to Florence, Venice and Milan. In Rome, put the Vatican and ancient Rome on different days to allow breaks while walking. Check trains, visiting hours and tickets before booking hotels; include the Last Supper in that planning. Compare departure from Milan with connections to your return destination.

What you will see

• Colosseum, Rome. Opened in AD 80 under Titus: an ellipse 188 by 156 m, 48 m tall, with an estimated capacity of 50,000 spectators.
• Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the dome, Florence. Begun in 1296 by Arnolfo di Cambio and closed by Brunelleschi's dome between 1420 and 1436: a 45.5 m span, herringbone brickwork, two shells and no wooden centering.
• Basilica di San Marco, Venice. Ducal church begun in 1063 on a Byzantine Greek-cross plan, consecrated in 1094, with about 8,000 m² of gold-ground mosaics.
• Duomo di Milano, Milan. Gothic cathedral begun in 1386 in Candoglia marble, with 135 spires and about 3,400 statues; the golden Madonnina, from 1774, stands at 108.5 m.

Day by day

Rome

1. 1
   Day 1: Ancient Rome, from the Colosseum to the Capitoline

   1. 1Coliseu (Anfiteatro Flávio)2hEssential
   2. 2Foro Romano2hEssential
   3. 4Palatino e Horti Farnesiani1hWorth a visit
   4. Circo Máximo20minIf there is time
   5. Monti1h30Worth a visit
2. 2
   Day 2: The Vatican and the right bank

   1. 5Museus Vaticanos e Capela Sistina3h30Worth a visit
   2. 6Basílica de São Pedro1h30Worth a visit
   3. Castel Sant'Angelo1h15If there is time
   4. Trastevere e Santa Maria2hWorth a visit
3. 3
   Day 3: Baroque, Borghese, and Appia Antica

   1. 3Panteão45minEssential
   2. 8Piazza Navona30minWorth a visit
   3. Campo de' Fiori40minWorth a visit
   4. Fontana di Trevi20minIf there is time
   5. 7Galleria Borghese2hWorth a visit
   6. 9Via Appia Antica e catacumbasmeio diaWorth a visit
   7. Mercato Testaccio1hWorth a visit
4. 4
   Day 4: Ostia Antica (day trip) · if you have more time

   
5. 5
   Day 5: Tivoli (day trip) · if you have more time

   

Florence

1. 6
   Day 6: The religious axis and the civic axis

   1. 2Baptistery of San GiovanniUp to half an hourEssential
   2. 4Palazzo Vecchio and Piazza della SignoriaWorth a visit
2. 7
   Day 7: Michelangelo in the morning, Oltrarno in the afternoon

   1. 8Galleria dell'AccademiaOne to two hoursIf there is time
   2. 9Ponte Vecchio and the Vasari CorridorUp to half an hourIf there is time
   3. 7San Miniato al Monte and Piazzale MichelangeloWorth a visit
3. 8
   Day 8: Sculpture, cells and the hill · if you have more time

   

Venice

1. 9
   Day 9: San Marco and the State

   1. 2Palazzo DucaleEssential
   2. 5San Giorgio MaggioreUp to half an hourEssential
2. 10
   Day 10: Rialto, Frari, and Dorsoduro

   1. 6Scuola Grande di San RoccoUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   2. 9Gallerie dell'AccademiaIf there is time
3. 11
   Day 11: The lagoon and everyday life · if you have more time

   

Milan

1. 12
   Day 12: Duomo, Last Supper, and Brera

   1. 8Museo del NovecentoWorth a visit
   2. 4Galleria Vittorio Emanuele IIUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   3. 3Pinacoteca di BreraEssential
2. 13
   Day 13: Leonardo, the Sforza and the west · if you have more time

   1. 6Basilica di Sant'AmbrogioUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   2. 5Castello Sforzesco and Parco SempioneWorth a visit