From Vatican tours to vineyard drives, from Papal blessings to Cinque Terre hikes, our 2019 Italy journey was a flavorful, full-hearted family trip we’ll never forget. Here’s our day-by-day itinerary of unforgettable stays, immersive activities, and what made each place feel special.

Day 1: Arrival in Rome

• Stay: Rental apartment near the Vatican
• Activity: Arrival, airport pickup, and neighborhood stroll
• Special to This Place: We were greeted by our driver with a sign — a cinematic start to Rome! That evening, we wandered near the Vatican and had dinner on Via Doria.

Day 2: Vatican City Wonders

• Stay: Rome apartment
• Activity: Early-access Vatican and Sistine Chapel tour with a guide, followed by the rare Scavi tour under St. Peter’s Basilica, evening in the Trastevere neighborhood
• Special to This Place: The Vatican was a lifelong dream to see and worth the trip alone. Watching Trastevere come alive with an unexpected piazza band and dining at Nannarella — the pasta Amatriciana was unforgettable.

Day 3: Ancient Rome & Sacred Relics

• Stay: Rome apartment
• Activity: Guided day with a private driver: Coliseum, Trevi Fountain, basilicas, and relics from the Crucifixion
• Special to This Place: The Cross, nails and thorns from the crucifixion of Jesus at the Church of the Holy Cross of Jerusalem — deeply moving and completely unique. Of course the Coliseum is a must-see for first-time visitors. Amazing.

Day 4: A Tuscan Drive

• Stay: Il Paretaio, Tuscany
• Activity: Picked up our rental car and drove to Tuscany via hot springs and Montepulciano
• Special to This Place: The Bagni di San Filippo hot springs were the ultimate roadside reset, and dinner in Montepulciano made us fall in love with Tuscan steak.

Days 5–6: Tuscan Hill Towns

• Stay: Il Paretaio, Tuscany
• Activity: Day trips to San Gimignano, Barberino, Monteriggioni
• Special to This Place: Each town seemed to capture what our imaginations had told us Italy would be, and the incredibly beautiful vistas, scenic drives, and shared meals at Il Paretaio made it feel like home.

Day 7: Coastline Shift – PISA, Cinque Terre

• Stay: Rental apartment in Riomaggiore, Liguria
• Activity: Dropped off car in Pisa and spent a couple of hours seeing the sights, then took the train to Riomaggiore, and hiked Monterosso to Vernazza
• Special to This Place: Hiking between coastal villages with ocean views and cliffside towns was pure Italian magic.

Day 8: Sea-Kayaking Cinque Terre

• Stay: Riomaggiore
• Activity: Kayaking along the dramatic Ligurian coast
• Special to This Place: Seeing the colorful cliffside villages from the water gave a whole new perspective to Cinque Terre’s beauty.

Day 9: Florence Begins

• Stay: Florence rental apartment, Piazza dè Mozzi
• Activity: Train ride from Riomaggiore to Florence
• Special to This Place: Arriving in Florence felt like entering a Renaissance painting. Our apartment had views and vibes to match.

Day 10: Museums and Gardens

• Stay: Florence
• Activity: Uffizi Gallery, Boboli Gardens, and Pitti Palace
• Special to This Place: The art was legendary, but the peaceful Boboli Gardens gave us a moment of quiet reflection among the statues and cypress trees.

Day 11: Venice in a Day

• Stay: Florence
• Activity: Day trip by train to Venice
• Special to This Place: Strolling canals, crossing bridges, and soaking in Venice’s surreal charm all in one day — whirlwind and worth it.

Day 12: David and Leather

• Stay: Florence
• Activity: Accademia Gallery (hello, David!), followed by market shopping and haggling for great deals on Florentine leather
• Special to This Place: Seeing Michelangelo’s David in person. The unexpected size and detail definitely leaves a lasting impression.

Day 13: Milan Arrival + Anniversary Dinner

• Stay: Rental apartment in Milan
• Activity: Train to Milan and dinner at La Dogana del Buongusto to celebrate our anniversary
• Special to This Place: Celebrating our anniversary with a dinner in Milan couldn’t be more romantic!

Day 14: Milan’s Majestic Duomo

• Stay: Milan
• Activity: Duomo Cathedral and Rooftop Tour
• Special to This Place: Viewing the city from the literal rooftop of the Duomo Cathedral is an unforgettable experience.

Day 15: Homeward Bound

• Stay: Home
• Activity: Flight from Milan to Atlanta
• Special to This Place: Memories packed, souvenirs stowed, and hearts full.