So, you’ve booked a trip to Italy, or you’re thinking about booking a trip to Italy. Congratulations! I may be a seasoned traveler, but Italy still never fails to delight, inspire awe, and remain a top destination. All the world’s tourists can’t be wrong. There is something special, almost magical about this land.
Chances are, if this is your first trip, you’re going to spend some time in Rome. A lot of people ask me, should I rush over Rome and instead try and do this, this, this, this, and this, all in 7 days? I say no, absolutely not, don’t rush this place! There are enough things to do in that city alone to keep you occupied for as long as you’d like. I know someone who lives in Rome, for two years now, who still swears there is something new and exciting around every corner. For example, on an 11 day trip around Italy, I would opt to spend about 4 days in Rome. Trust me, you won’t get bored. There is a staggering number of places to see in Rome, and you’re not going to come remotely close to seeing them all during your short stay in this beautiful city. This is fine, however, because you’ll be back. For any first-timer, though, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Colosseum, the Imperial Forum, and the Piazza di Spagna are absolute musts.
If you do grow tired of the crowds and touristy stuff in the city center, never fear, there are plenty of other things to do in the outlying lands. Before you hop on that tour bus for the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento, and Naples, consider the more homegrown options near your first port of call. There are numerous options for day trips from Rome. Tuscany is an obvious destination that everyone has heard of (for good reason!) I would also personally suggest Bracciano, one of the more beautiful lakes in Lazio (Latium in English), for a serene time. Ostia would be a final top pick for me. Check out what other travelers have written in the above links; they have a pretty good idea what they’re talking about.
Buona fortuna on your travels, as they say in Italy!
