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Tailor-made trip to Italy Italy: two cities rather than four.

Rome, Florence, Venice: the classic trio works very well by train, and very badly in five days. The quality of the trip depends on what you agree not to see.

Recommended length
7 to 12 days
Best time to go
April to June and September to October
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Why this destination with me

Travelling to Italy: what I know about this destination.

Italy is one of the destinations I build most often: Rome, Florence, Venice, Sardinia, Sicily, the lakes, the Cinque Terre, or a train journey from one city to the next.

For example, I organised a stay in Venice given by two sisters to their parents, with boat transfers from the airport, vaporetto passes and skip-the-line visits booked in advance. I also built a family trip taking in Milan, Florence, the lakes and the Cinque Terre.

The trap in Italy is wanting to see everything. Two cities truly lived are worth more than four rushed through, and that is what I stand up for in every itinerary.

When to go

When to go to Italy? The right month depends on what you are coming for.

The table applies to the centre and north of the country. Summer is hot, very busy and expensive in the art cities; spring and autumn change the experience completely.

Climate, crowds and price level month by month
MonthClimateCrowdsPrice level
JanuaryCold and damp in the north, mild in Rome, quiet citiesLowLow season
FebruaryCool, carnival in Venice at the end of the monthLow, high during carnivalLow season
MarchEarly spring, days growing longerModerateMid season
AprilMild and bright, one of the best months, Easter very busyHighHigh season
MayWarm without excess, long evenings, beautiful lightHighHigh season
JuneHeat building, crowds well establishedVery highHigh season
JulyHot and humid in the cities, lots of peopleVery highHigh season
AugustThe hottest month, local closures around mid-AugustVery highHigh season
SeptemberHeat eased, remarkable light, the ideal monthHighHigh season
OctoberMild, autumn light, cities easier to breathe inModerateMid season
NovemberCool and rainy, high water possible in VeniceLowLow season
DecemberCold, Christmas markets, end of the month very busyLow, high at the end of the monthLow season

Itineraries

Itineraries in Italy: routes that are genuinely built.

These itineraries are working bases, not packages. Each one is adjusted to your pace, your budget and the season.

Proposal — eight days, seven nights

Rome and Florence, by train

Two cities, two bases, no car. The train links them in under two hours, which makes any road journey unnecessary.

Days 1 to 4 — Rome

Four nights. Rome is best explored neighbourhood by neighbourhood rather than as a list of monuments: it is the only way not to spend your day on public transport. The major sites are booked online well in advance.

Day 5 — Train to Florence

A high-speed train journey, then settling in. Half a day discovering the city on foot, with no packed programme.

Days 6 and 7 — Florence and Tuscany

One day in the city, one day on an excursion into Tuscany. The most popular museums are booked several weeks ahead; otherwise the queue eats up the morning.

Day 8 — Departure

Return from Florence or Rome depending on the flights.

What is included

  • Flights, booked by me, with online check-in and boarding passes
  • The complete itinerary, day by day, with real travel times
  • Accommodation booked and confirmed
  • Transfers and on-the-ground logistics
  • The detailed travel book, digital or printed

What is not

  • Meals not mentioned
  • Travel insurance, which I can offer you as an option

Proposal — twelve days

The trio, without enduring it

Rome, Florence and Venice, but with the time they need: four nights, four nights, three nights.

Days 1 to 4 — Rome

Four nights in Rome, explored neighbourhood by neighbourhood. The Colosseum and the Vatican Museums are booked online well in advance: I take care of it so you do not have to queue.

Days 5 to 8 — Florence and Tuscany

High-speed train to Florence, then four nights. One or two days in the Tuscan countryside, with or without a car as you prefer.

Days 9 to 12 — Venice

Three nights there, which lets you experience the city early in the morning and in the evening, once the day-trippers have left. It is a completely different city.

What is included

  • Flights, booked by me, with online check-in and boarding passes
  • The complete itinerary, day by day, with real travel times
  • Accommodation booked and confirmed
  • Transfers and on-the-ground logistics
  • The detailed travel book, digital or printed

What is not

  • Meals not mentioned
  • Travel insurance, which I can offer you as an option
Julie Ruault

Julie, your point of contact

I design every trip on my own, from our first conversation to your return. You have the same person throughout, who knows your file.

Frequently asked questions

Your questions about a trip to Italy, and my answers.

How many days for Rome and Florence?

Eight days there let you see both without rushing: four nights in each. To add Venice, allow twelve days.

Should I hire a car?

For the cities, no, and it is even counterproductive because of the limited traffic zones. For Tuscany, Puglia or Sardinia, yes. The right formula often combines the train between cities and a car for a countryside stretch.

What is the best time to go?

May, June, September and October. September and October are my favourites: the heat has eased, the light is remarkable and the cities become manageable again.

How much does a trip to Italy cost?

The budget depends mainly on the season, the length of stay and the standard of accommodation. I ask for your budget from our first conversation, then build an itinerary that respects it. Once the itinerary is approved, I send you an overall estimate, then the detailed quote. My fees are built into the price of the services: there are no hidden costs.

Is Italy a good choice for a honeymoon?

Yes, and it is a frequent request. The format then changes: fewer cities, more countryside, accommodation chosen for the experience. See the honeymoon page.

What about the south, Sicily, Puglia?

Yes. Beyond the art cities, I also build trips to the south and the islands, Sicily and Sardinia in particular. These are destinations where the season and the choice of base matter even more, and where a car is often essential.

Two ways to begin

A clear project, or just a wish?

Both can be worked on. The only difference is the starting point.

Tell me about your project

The form takes three minutes. Dates are not required: if you do not have any yet, an approximate period is enough.

Describe my project

Book a call

Thirty minutes by video or phone, free and with no commitment, to clarify an idea that is still taking shape and see whether I am the right person for you.

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