Italian Road Trip Highlights and Guide | Generated by AI
Two-Week Road Trip Itinerary in Italy: Highlights and Planning Guide
Italy is a dream for road trips, with its mix of ancient ruins, Renaissance art, coastal cliffs, and rolling vineyards. This 14-day itinerary focuses on a classic loop starting and ending in major hubs (fly into Rome, out of Venice), covering iconic tourist spots like Rome’s Colosseum, Florence’s Uffizi Gallery, Venice’s canals, the dramatic Amalfi Coast, hiking trails in Cinque Terre, and wine country in Tuscany. It’s designed for 2-4 people, assuming a rental car for flexibility in scenic rural areas while using trains or short drives in congested cities to avoid stress.
Total driving: About 800-1,000 km (500-620 miles), spread out to prevent fatigue. Expect 4-6 hours of driving on transition days, with easy highways (autostrade) and winding coastal roads. Budget €1,500-2,500 per person (excluding flights), covering car rental (€400-600 one-way), fuel/tolls (€200-300), mid-range hotels (€100-150/night), meals (€50-80/day), and entry fees (€200-300 total).
Key Tourist Spots Covered
- Rome: Colosseum, Vatican, Pantheon – ancient history and Baroque grandeur.
- Amalfi Coast/Sorrento: Cliffside villages like Positano and Amalfi – stunning Mediterranean views and beaches.
- Tuscany/Florence: Uffizi, Duomo, Siena’s medieval streets – art, architecture, and Chianti wine tastings.
- Cinque Terre: Colorful fishing villages and hikes – UNESCO-listed coastal paradise.
- Venice: St. Mark’s Basilica, gondola rides – romantic canals and islands.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Days 1-3: Rome (Base: Rome – No driving needed initially)
Arrive in Rome and settle in. Use public transport or walks to explore.
- Day 1: Jet lag recovery – Toss a coin in Trevi Fountain, climb Spanish Steps, stroll Pantheon and Piazza Navona. Evening gelato in Trastevere.
- Day 2: Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel (book timed tickets €17+), then St. Peter’s Basilica. Afternoon: Borghese Gallery (€15, reserve ahead).
- Day 3: Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill (€16 combo ticket, book online). End with views from the Altar of the Fatherland.
Stay: Central hotel like Hotel Artemide (€120/night). Meals: Pasta carbonara spots.
Day 4: Drive to Sorrento/Amalfi Coast (Drive: Rome to Sorrento, ~3 hours, 270 km via A1 highway)
Pick up your rental car at Rome airport or Fiumicino (recommend Hertz or Sixt for automatics; get full insurance). Head south on the sunny A1. Stop in Pompeii en route (1-hour detour, €18 entry) for ruins tour. Arrive Sorrento for sunset over the bay.
Key Spot: Pompeii’s ancient frescoes. Stay: Sorrento B&B like Ulisse Deluxe (€130/night) – great for ferry access. Tip: Tolls ~€25; use Google Maps for real-time traffic.
Day 5: Amalfi Coast Exploration (Drive: Sorrento loops, ~1-2 hours total on SS163 coastal road)
Wind along the infamous Amalfi Drive (hairpin turns, but epic views – go early to beat buses). Visit Positano’s beaches, Amalfi’s cathedral, and Ravello’s gardens (€7). Optional: Boat tour from Sorrento (€50).
Key Spot: Positano’s pastel houses cascading to the sea. Stay: Sorrento. Tip: Park outside towns (€5/hour) and walk; avoid peak summer heat.
Day 6: Capri Day Trip (No major drive; ferry from Sorrento, 20 min)
Ferry to Capri (€25 round-trip), hike to Mount Solaro chairlift (€12) for panoramas, and peek into the Blue Grotto (if tide allows, €18 boat). Shop for limoncello. Return for Sorrento dinner.
Key Spot: Capri’s azure grottos and celebrity vibes. Stay: Sorrento. Tip: Book ferry ahead via Caremar; wear comfy shoes for hills.
Day 7: Drive to Florence via Tuscany (Drive: Sorrento to Florence, ~5 hours, 500 km via A1)
Early start north through Naples (grab authentic pizza). Detour into Tuscany for a quick Orvieto stop (underground caves, €4). Arrive Florence afternoon; park outside ZTL zone (restricted traffic area – fines €100+ if ignored).
Key Spot: Orvieto’s Etruscan history. Stay: Florence apartment like Residenza Johanna I (€110/night). Tip: Vignette toll pass for highways; fuel up at Autogrills.
Days 8-9: Florence and Tuscany (Minimal city driving; day trip drive ~1-2 hours)
- Day 8: Florence core – Climb Duomo dome (€20), Uffizi Gallery (€12, book ahead), Ponte Vecchio bridge. Evening aperitivo.
- Day 9: Rent a scooter or drive to Tuscany hill towns: Siena’s Piazza del Campo and Duomo (€8), then San Gimignano’s towers (€9). Wine tasting in Chianti (€30 tour).
Key Spots: Michelangelo’s David (Accademia, €12), Tuscan cypress landscapes. Stay: Florence. Tip: Use Park & Ride garages in Florence (€2/hour); Tuscany roads are scenic but narrow.
Day 10: Drive to Cinque Terre (Drive: Florence to La Spezia, ~2.5 hours, 200 km via A11)
Head northwest to La Spezia (car base). Train or short drive into the villages (Cinque Terre Card €18 for trails/trains). Start in Riomaggiore for seafood.
Key Spot: Vernazza’s harbor. Stay: La Spezia hotel like NH La Spezia (€100/night) – cheaper parking. Tip: Limited village parking; hike Section 2 trail (easy 1.5 hours).
Day 11: Cinque Terre Full Day (Local drives/trains, ~30 min between towns)
Hike or boat-hop the five villages (Monterosso beaches to Manarola sunsets). Picnic with pesto genovese.
Key Spot: Cliffside paths with Ligurian Sea views. Stay: La Spezia. Tip: Trails close for maintenance – check app; wear grippy shoes.
Day 12: Drive to Venice (Drive: La Spezia to Venice, ~4 hours, 350 km via A13)
East on highways, optional Verona stop (1-hour detour, €10 arena). Arrive Venice, drop car at Piazzale Roma garage (€25/day), then vaporetto to island.
Key Spot: Verona’s Juliet balcony. Stay: Venice canal-side like Hotel Antico Doge (€140/night). Tip: One-way car drop-off fee ~€100; Venice is car-free.
Days 13-14: Venice (No driving; water taxis €10/ride)
- Day 13: St. Mark’s Basilica (€3), Doge’s Palace (€30 combo), gondola (€80/30 min shared).
- Day 14: Murano glass-blowing island, Rialto Market. Depart from Marco Polo Airport.
Key Spots: Grand Canal, hidden alleys. Tip: Buy 48-hour vaporetto pass (€30); watch for acqua alta floods.
Road Trip Essentials and Tips
- Car Rental: Book via Discover Cars for best rates. Opt for compact automatic (easier on hills). International permit if non-EU license. GPS app: Waze for toll avoidance.
- Driving Rules: Drive on right; speed limits 50 km/h city, 130 km/h highway. ZTL zones in historic centers – use hotel valet parking. Gas: €1.80/liter; stations close Sundays.
- Costs Breakdown: | Category | Estimated Cost | |———-|—————-| | Rental + Fuel/Tolls | €600-800 | | Accommodations (13 nights) | €1,300-1,800 | | Food & Drinks | €700-1,000 | | Attractions & Transport | €400-600 |
- Best Time: April-June or Sept-Oct for milder traffic/weather. Pack layers; download offline maps.
- Customizations: If you prefer north (Dolomites) over south, swap Amalfi for Lake Garda. Families? Add kid-friendly stops like Pisa’s Leaning Tower.
- Sustainability: Use eco-rentals; support local by eating at agriturismos.
This route balances must-sees with chill drives – adjust for pace. Buon viaggio!
References
- 14 Day Italy Itinerary: Best Way to Spend Two Weeks in Italy
- 2 Week Italy Trip Itinerary 14 Days in Italy + Where to Stay, Tips
- The Ultimate Italy Road Trip: 2 Weeks Itinerary (with Amalfi Coast)