10 days is the sweet spot for a first Italy trip. You get the golden triangle (Rome, Florence, Venice) PLUS one of Italy's great landscape experiences — the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre (or both, if you move efficiently). The 3 extra days compared to a 7-day trip transform the experience: you're no longer rushing between cities. You have time for a long lunch, a sunset aperitivo, a wrong turn that leads to a hidden piazza. This itinerary adds the Amalfi Coast (1 day) and Cinque Terre (1 day) plus a buffer day for depth.
Plan my 10-day trip →Same as the 7-day itinerary: Day 1 ancient Rome (Colosseum/Forum), Day 2 Vatican, Day 3 centro + Borghese. The extra day option: if you arrived early on Day 1, use the afternoon of Day 3 for a day trip to Tivoli (Villa d'Este + Hadrian's Villa, 45min by bus/train).
Transport: Rome→Naples Frecce (1h10, €15-30). Option A (Pompeii + move to Amalfi): Deposit bags at Naples Centrale, take Circumvesuviana to Pompeii (40min, €3.90). 3h at Pompeii. Continue to Sorrento (30min), ferry to Positano/Amalfi (25min, €18-22). Option B (Naples food day): Full day in Naples — pizza at Da Michele, MANN museum, Spaccanapoli walk. Evening: train/bus to Amalfi Coast. Sleep: Amalfi Coast (Positano/Amalfi/Ravello).
Morning: explore your village (Positano stairs, Ravello's terraces, Amalfi's cathedral). If you do ONE thing: Take the SITA bus along the coast road from Amalfi→Positano (or reverse) — the most dramatic road in Europe. OR rent a boat for half a day (€100-200 for a small boat, split among group). Afternoon: ferry from Amalfi/Positano→Salerno (30min), then Frecce Salerno→Florence (3.5h, €30-50). Arrive Florence evening.
Same as 7-day plan: Day 6 Duomo + Uffizi + Oltrarno dinner. Day 7 David + Mercato Centrale + Piazzale Michelangelo sunset. Alternative Day 7: Day trip to Siena (1.5h bus) or San Gimignano.
Transport: Florence→La Spezia Regionale (2.5h, €13 — or Frecce 2h, €20-30). From La Spezia: local train between the 5 villages (every 15-20min, Cinque Terre Card €16/day includes trains + trails). The plan: Start at Monterosso (the beach village). Hike Monterosso→Vernazza (2h, the most scenic trail). Lunch in Vernazza (the most photogenic village). Train to Manarola (the sunset village). Train to Riomaggiore. Train back to La Spezia→Florence. Return to Florence late evening.
Transport: Florence→Venice Frecce (2h). Same as 7-day plan: Day 9 Grand Canal + San Marco + bacaro crawl. Day 10 Burano/Murano + final wandering. Depart from Venice Marco Polo airport or continue to next destination.
Add ~€300-500 to the 7-day budget for 3 extra nights + Amalfi accommodation (pricier) + transport + Cinque Terre day. Full cost guide → · Best time Amalfi → · Interrail option →