5 days. 2 cities. The essentials of 2,500 years of civilization. Rome (3 days): Colosseum, Vatican, Pantheon, Trastevere, Borghese. Florence (2 days): Duomo, David, Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio, sunset. Connected by a 1h30 Frecciarossa that costs €25-35 booked ahead. Have 10 days? → · Only 1 day in Rome? →
Day 1: Fiumicino→Termini (Leonardo Express, €14, 32 min). Check in. Colosseum + Forum (pre-booked, 2.5h). Lunch Trastevere. Pantheon (free) + Navona + Trevi. Day 2: Vatican 8am (pre-booked) → Sistine → St. Peter's. Afternoon: Borghese (pre-booked 3pm). Pincio sunset. Day 3: Morning: San Clemente 3 layers + Caravaggio churches (free). Afternoon: espresso crawl + shopping + pack.
Day 3 evening OR Day 4 morning: Frecciarossa Roma Termini→Firenze SMN (1h30, €25-35 on Trainline). Day 4: David 8:15am (pre-booked). Dome climb 10am (pre-booked). Mercato Centrale lunch. Uffizi 2pm (pre-booked). Piazzale Michelangelo sunset. Oltrarno dinner. Day 5: Bargello or Palazzo Pitti + Boboli (morning). Ponte Vecchio + gelato. Afternoon: Siena day trip (bus 1h15, €8) OR shopping + Officina SMN. Fly from Florence Peretola (FLR) or Pisa (PSA, 1h train).
Mid-range: Flights €400-700. Hotels €100-150/night (€500-750). Trains €30-50. Museums €80-120. Food €40-60/day (€200-300). Total: ~€1,200-2,000/person for 5 days. Detailed calculator →