VENICE – 3 NIGHTS

A logical place to start the best Italy itinerary is in Venice, given it’s location and ease of getting to due to the popularity of the airport.The floating city is one of the most unique cities in the world and a place that should not be missed. It has no roads and is instead made up of canals full of boats and gondolas taking lovers and friends on scenic rides through the almost-unreal landscape.  It’s also rumored to be sinking, so you better get there before it’s gone!

LAKE COMO (BELLAGIO) – 3 NIGHTS

Lake Como is a lake located in northern Italy, very close to the border of Switzerland, and just 3 hours from Venice by train.It is a popular upscale resort town, known for its dramatic beauty and being the home of George Clooney. The lake is home to many towns including Bellagio, Como, Tremezzo, Varenna, and Lecco to name a few.  It is beautiful, glamorous, and relaxing, and I found it to be very unique to the rest of Italy. Can’t see Italy in 3 weeks without stopping by Bellagio!

CINQUE TERRE – 3 NIGHTS

Cinque Terre, a string of five towns on the Italian Riviera, is known for its colorful seaside houses and rewarding hikes. As if that alone is not enough, it is also the birthplace of pesto, and the seafood is as fresh as can be.  If you like hiking and/or are looking for good photo ops, this is your spot!

FLORENCE – 3 NIGHTS

Florence, the capital of the Tuscany region, is home to many famous museums, incredible architecture, and a vibrant nightlife.Often called the birthplace of the Renaissance, it is a popular destination for those interested in art and culture. I don’t think I’ve ever met a person that doesn’t love Florence, so you really can’t go wrong here and more than likely had this on your list before you even landed here. If you like wine, do not miss a day trip to wine country! Florence is an especially popular destination, so I highly recommend booking any tours or museums you are interested in in advance.

AMALFI COAST (POSITANO) – 4 NIGHTS

Amalfi Coast is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone.” and I really could not agree more.  It is a place you have to see to believe and even then you will hardly believe it is real.  If there’s one place that I recommend you visit, it’s this.

It is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen, is incredibly charming and glamorous, and is the perfect place to relax between Florence and Rome.Positano can be a bit of a pain to get to, but it is incredibly worth it. Trains don’t go all the way there so you’ll need to hop on a ferry or hire a car.

ROME – 3 NIGHTS

Roma, the lively capital of Italy, is the perfect final stop on your 3 week itinerary! It is full of rich history and a vibrant social scene that you will surely appreciate after your visits to some of the smaller seaside towns.

Home of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Michelango’s Sistine Chapel and so much more, you will more likely run out of time than of things to do here. It’s also a major transportation hub so you can make an easy exit.

PUGLIA — 3 NIGHTS

If you’re looking for another option before or after the Amalfi Coast and want something gorgeous and super low-key, Puglia is for you.Puglia Italy, a region in the southeast corner, is a place it seems many have not yet discovered. It’s a charming Italian area full of whitewashed coastal towns and beautiful remote beaches.

The public transportation there is pretty non-existent, so you’ll need to rent a car. But trust me, it’s a fun adventure! Italy is full of both vibrant cities and low-key seaside towns which the above itinerary mixes evenly so that you are not too bored but also not too overwhelmed.  All destinations can be conveniently arrived at by train, making it very easy to get from place to place.