7 days in Italy

Does 7 days include actual days in Italy, or travel time?

With 7 days, you could certainly do all three, maybe 3 nights Rome, 2 nights Venice, 2 nights Florence.

Do you have any idea what you want to see? It's hard to suggest an itinerary without some idea of your interests. You could spend days and weeks in each city.

7 actual days. I want the must see. How to get around and advice on where to stay? I would like to see a Opera.

where do you fly into and out of?

You can get ideas and information by watching Rick Steve's videos on each city listed here under Italy
https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/tv-show

Then I would get a guide book on Italy to read before going and take it with me.

You need to decide on an itinerary and book hotel rooms ASAP. The places you list are all high tourism locations.

Will probably fly into Venice and out of Rome. But that can change. We are throwing it together so still planning.

Yes, pick two and only two places to lay your head if you have 7 nights. 3 in one city and 4 in the other. Are flying in and out of a Rome or can you fly into one (Venice) and out of Rome? If you are RT Rome, upon landing travel to your furthest destination first, i.e., Venice, then wrap up in Rome. That is the most efficient way,

As Rick says, assume you will be back. So many of us thought we were taking our “only trip” and now go back frequently.

7 actual days, not including travel. So many possibilities.

First and foremost - what speaks most to you? You mentioned seeing an opera. What else? History? Food? Art? Religion? The good thing about Italy is that you can see all of that in any one city.

If I had only 7 days, I'd fly into Florence and out of Rome while others would do something completely different.

I know I loved seeing so many things in Rome. The Vatican Museum. St. Peter's. The Trevi Fountain. The Colosseum. The Forum. The Pantheon. And then there was just wandering around in Rome...getting lost...seeing the Jewish Ghetto. The Capuchin Crypt. The Tiber River.

What speaks to you? What makes you pick Italy as a place to visit?

Flying into Venice and out of Rome is perfect. Can you extend your trip by one night? So 8 nights? If so, then fly into Venice. See the opera in Venice. Spend 2 nights but three days. Meaning, check out of your hotel early morning of day 3. Have the hotel hold your luggage and spend the better part of the day walking around Venice. Take a late afternoon train to Florence. Stay in the historic city center. By arriving early evening you will have 2 full days to spend in Florence. Then train to Rome for the remaining 4 nights. So 8 nights total. If you can not squeeze in the 8th night then 3 nights Venice and 4 nights Rome. Save Florence for another time.

Thank you all so much. I will try and squeeze in 8 days.

Would you recommend trying to find a Airbnb or a hotel??

forgot to state do the same thing in Florence as Venice to make it work. On your second day check out of the hotel early, have the hotel hold your luggage and spend the day sightseeing. Take a 5/6 pm train to Rome. So you will have 4 nights in Rome but 3 full days.

If I had a week or more, I might consider an Air B&B but for short stays, I prefer hotels. You might have to spend some time waiting to get apartment keys or to check out. Hotels have the benefit of holding your luggage for you before and after check in/out times to make life easier.

A hotel or B&B is a better option for a first trip. There will be someone to answer questions and give you directions and insight. Plus you will get a yummy breakfast to send you on your way and they can make dinner reservations for you.

For what it's worth, I've been to Italy 2 times and would fly into Venice and out of Rome. Don't miss Venice! Coming into Venice down the grand canal is like living a dream. Split your time between Venice and Rome, skip Florence. I like Florence but it's a very busy city, our least favorite visit, where Venice is like no other place you've ever experienced. Good luck :)