Day 1: Arrived at Lecco, Lake Como via train & bus from the Milan Airport. It was late afternoon by then so we decided to take a train to Varenna for dinner. Varenna is located right along the water and absolutely STUNNING for sunset. We walked around and had dinner outdoors. Since it was right along the water, we had the most peaceful first night! We even saw beautiful swans a few feet away from us in the lake. The trains stopped running around 10 pm, so we took a taxi back, which cost about 50 euros (try to always take public transportation when you can, as taxi’s are insanely expensive).
Day 2: We spent all day in Bellagio by taking a 1.5 hour ferry from Lecco. Even on a warm July day, the ferry ride can tend to be a little chilly, so try to bring a sweater! Bellagio is filled with small shops, café’s, and restaurants. Walk around and enjoy the beauty of this little town. You will probably need 3-4 hours max. We had lunch overlooking the beautiful blue lake and enjoyed taking some photos. Depending on where you are staying, you can take a ferry back or even a train. We headed to Venice via train in the late afternoon.
Still Day 2: We arrived in the evening to Venice. Once you get off the train, you have to buy canal ferry tickets which will be your mode of transportation throughout Venice (no streets for cars). Assuming you will be in Venice for more than 24 hours, buy the package deal so you are not spending per ferry ride, which gets expensive. Also, do not worry, the ferries run 24/7, so you can stay out as early or as late as you’d like. Our hotel was about 35 minutes from the train station ferry stop so we were able to sight see a little as we headed towards it! We had dinner and went straight to sleep because we planned an early start to the next day.
Day 3: This was our adventure day through Venice. We went to the Burano Island, which is INCREDIBLE! This is where they make all of their lace fabric, so you will walk by tons of shops and have the opportunity to buy authentic clothes. The town is filled with bright/colorful houses, which makes it a great spot for photos. Don’t forget to grab a gelato while you are walking around! When we went back to the main island of Venice, we just walked around and wandered the streets. There are a ton of local shops, food places, and alleyways to lose yourself in. There are also a few small bridges throughout Venice where you can get from one side of the canal to the other, so I recommend doing that for the experience. We didn’t have plans to go to St. Mark’s Square because it gets so touristy, but we had to walk through it to get back to our hotel, so that was also a great sight to see! We flew to Naples in the evening and went straight to bed.
Day 4: We went to Naples as a hub for transportation so we could take the ferry over to Capri! I would recommend calling your hotel in advance because most have free shuttle service, otherwise you will have to wait for a bus. Taxi’s are ridiculously expensive, so try NOT to take any!! Once we got there, we decided this would be our night that we go out and have some cocktails 😊 Some of our friends were also there so it was a great time. We stayed in the Anacapri area, which has so many shops and restaurants. Try to sit outdoors for food/drinks and be sure to try a limoncello! (I definitely have ONE too many lol) For attractions, definitely do a tour of the Blue Grotto or rent your own boat for an afternoon excursion. Also, there’s a spot on the island where you can take a cable car up the mountain for a full scenic view!
Day 5: We took a ferry to the Amalfi Coast which was only about 30 minutes or so from Capri. Since we were staying in Amalfi, we decided to change really quickly and go straight to Positano. We missed the last ferry from Amalfi to Positano so we had to take the bus. TRY NOT TO TAKE THE BUS! Since you are driving at the edge of a cliff on windy roads, you may get really carsick. Plan in advance to take the ferry, I promise it will be the best decision. In Positano, we walked around the streets, hopped into the water for a quick dip, and relaxed ocean side. We were there around 6 pm so the beaches open up and there are very few people, leaving you with the best views. There are so many beautiful shops, so be prepared to spend money because you won’t be able to refuse. Also book dinner reservations in advance so you can get a great view of the iconic colorful buildings while enjoying your meal outdoors! We took a bus back since the ferries stopped running but we bought anti-nausea meds, which is a very common thing because most tourists on our bus had them!
Day 6: We relaxed in Amalfi the next day. It was so hot and exhausting, but we made it out for some food and walked the inner streets of the town. We were recommended to do some walking sites, but we were just TOO hot, lol! We heard great things though, so definitely try to roam around if you have the time. We took a ferry to Sorrento and then a train from Sorrento to Rome late afternoon. If you are looking to stay in the Amalfi Coast area for longer, you can do day trips to Salerno, Ravello, and Sorrento, which I have heard are absolutely incredible and a little less touristy/crowded!
Day 6: The second half of our day was spent in Rome. We went to the Spanish Steps and walked around a little bit. To be honest, it wasn’t any spectacular, but it’s an iconic location so it’s great if you want to go there for a few minutes to check out. Then we went for an outdoors dinner. Afterwards, we went to one of the popular squares called “Piazza Campo de’ Fiori”. The square is pretty much filled with restaurants and people on the “younger side”. After 8 pm, most places have hookah, so we grabbed one and people watched. This was one of my favorite parts!
Day 7: I was on my own during this part of the trip. The first thing I did was go to the Colosseum during sunrise. Yes- I woke up at 5 am on vacation to get the most epic picture ever!! Then I went to the Trevi Fountain. Going early is KEY because this place gets ridiculously crowded. I also headed to the Trastevere neighborhood which is so colorful and fun. Once again, this is an area with people on the “younger” side, so it’s more relatable and fun! I posted at a coffee shop and read for a few hours 😊 This was an early night for me since I woke up for sunrise.
Day 8: Most of my last day in Rome was spent at Rome Pizza School! I booked the tickets in advance because I wanted to take a class that has both pasta and pizza ! The class was amazing because the instructors and the chef were so funny! It made my whole experience even better. The food ended up so delicious because the ingredients were fresh and all local! I highly recommend doing this in Rome! On my last night, I went back to the Trastevere area for some cocktail. I must admit that travelling solo through Rome was not my forte, however, I still enjoyed the experience. After Rome I was off to Menorca for my next adventure 😊
I hope this 8 day itinerary helps you out in planning your travels! Italy is an incredibly beautiful country that you can spend WEEKS exploring. I loved every little bit of it, and I can’t wait until my next adventure there 😊 If you have any more questions or would like more specific information on pricing of places or transportation, please email me, leave me a comment below, or DM on Instagram! If you are looking for food recommendations, worry not. Click here for my favorite spots to eat during my 8 days in Italy!