Italy, Here We Come!
ITINERARY
- Day 1 🛫
- Day 2🛫 Sat. 5/24/25 Arrive FCO
- 🏨 Air B&B “200 meters from Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio – apt 10”
- Day 3 🌅
- 🏨 “200 meters from Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio – apt 10”
- Day 4 🌅
- 🏨 “200 meters from Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio – apt 10”
- 🏨 “200 meters from Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio – apt 10”
- Day 5 🌅
- 🏨 “200 meters from Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio – apt 10”
- Day 6 🌅
- Option:
- Day 7 🌅
- Explore + Plan Something
- Day 8 🌅
- Explore + Plan Something
- Day 9 Explore + Plan Something
- Day 10 Return 🏠 Rome ➡️ Charlotte
T.B.D.
FLORENCE OPTIONS
- Florence➡️ Rome (Night x of x)
- Duomo Complex Brunelleschi Passes
- Dome Climb
- Leonardo Interactive Museum
- Ufizzi Gallery Small Group Tour
ROME OPTIONS
- 🚅Train to Rome
- Flower Garden Hotel
- Rome Attractions
- Church of St. Peter in Chains
- Option: Necropolis Tour – Tickets Requested
- Enjoying the food of Italy (video guide)
- 🌟Bistro di Rienzo🌟 My favorite! Within sight of the Pantheon
- Option: Viator Collection of Activities to Review and Book
- 🎟️ Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica Tour 2:00 pm
- Option: Papal Audience Free Tickets (in advance) or Viator
- 🎟️ Castel Sant’Angelo with Reserved Tickets 9:00 am
- 🎟️Ancient Rome Guided Tour: Colosseum, Forum and Palatine 2:30 pm
💶Currency Rate Calculator
🚅Trenitalia – Travel Italy by Rail
Mobile Passport Control (MPC)
Here’s a clean, web-ready itinerary module for the Cerchio site, styled to match the tone and structure of your existing travel pages:
🌸 Wedding Week Itinerary | Florence & Beyond
🏨 Base: Villa Tolomei Hotel and Resort
Day 1 🌅 Fri. 09/19/25 CVG 🛫FCO
Cincinnati, OH (CVG) 🛫Atlanta (ATL)
Lounges at JFK
Day 3 🌅 Sun. Sept 21, 2025
- 🏨 airbnb “200 meters from Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio – apt 10”
- 🔗 Viator Vespa Tour – Morning Ride
- ❗Get International Driving Permit at AAA a week prior.
- ⛪ English Mass? (TBD)
- 🍷 Pre-Wedding Celebration Dinner – 7:30 PM
Day 4 🌅 Mon., Sept 22, 2025
- 🏨 airbnb “200 meters from Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio – apt 10”
- 🛍️ Shopping & Bopping
- 💍 Wedding Ceremony – 5:00 PM to Midnight
Day 5 🌅 Tue., Sept 23, 2025
- 🏨 airbnb “200 meters from Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio – apt 10”
- 🍇 Vineyard / Winery Visit
- 🚆 Train Day Trip (Destination TBD)
Day 6🌅 Wed., Sept 24, 2025
- 🚉 Depart 🏨 airbnb “200 meters from Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio – apt 10”
Morning train to Milan or Rome
Day 7 🌅 Thur., Sept 25, 2025
- 🗺️ Explore + Plan Something Fun
Day 8 🌅 Fri., Sept 26, 2025
- 🗺️ Explore + Plan Something Fun
Day 9 🌅 Sat., Sept 27, 2025
- 🗺️ Explore + Plan Something Fun
Day 10 🌅 Sun., Sept 28, 2025
Preparing to Return – The VAT
Purchases of many articles in European Union countries are subject to a value added tax. In Italy you may see the tax on your receipt as “IVA”.
You may claim a refund of the tax on articles that will be taken home without being used in the E.U. Here is a guide for the process.
Please review this page about claiming a VAT refund at the airport in Naples.
Rome Fiumicino Airport Plaza Platinum Amex Lounges
🏨Grand Hotel Adriatico
Three nights with breakfast in a Family Room (365 sq. ft.)
Just a five-minute walk from the train station (Santa Maria Novella), and less than a 15-minute walk from the most important monuments (location).
The Family Room consists of a double room and a living area provided with two comfortable sofa beds. Beds are equipped with double pillows and pillow menu. Superior comfort services: bathrobe and slippers, choice of mineral water at the arrival offered by the management, high-speed free wi-fi, air conditioning, electric trouser press, large selection in the minibar, kettle with tea, herbal teas and coffee, “Florence Info Kit”, 15% discount at our Opera Restaurant. Large bathroom with shower or bathtub, with hairdryer, towel warmer and exclusive courtesy set.
The Grand Hotel Adriatico is close to everything. Just a five-minute walk from the train station (Santa Maria Novella) so you do not have to struggle to take your bags to the hotel, and less than 15-minute walk from the most important monuments and congress centers of the city. (location)
The Duomo Complex
🎟️ You have Brunelleschi Passes with a timed entry to Climb the Dome at 5:15 pm.
From that time, you have three days to visit the other venues.
Brunelleschi Pass includes access to all monuments of Piazza del Duomo allowing visitors a complete experience with a single ticket: the Baptistery, Giotto’s Bell Tower, Brunelleschi’s Dome, the Opera del Duomo Museum and the crypt of Santa Reparata with one access per monument.
🎟️ Skip the Line David Guided Tour Experience
Galleria Dell’ Accademia (website)
Before your tour present your voucher at the redemption point to receive your entry ticket.
Redemption Point: In the main square of the Galleria dell‘ Accademia. Look for a person with a sign “with the name” Florence with Elvis Guided Experience”.
Piazza delle Belle Arti (map).
I Love Tuscany Tours +393312925327
Immerse in the world of Michelangelo Buonarroti and Renaissance Florence when you join your passionate local guide for this tour of the Accademia Gallery and the David sculpture. Learn about the Medici dynasty that ruled the city and the Renaissance masters who taught Michelangelo painting and sculpture. Price excludes the cost of tickets (€20 adult, €4 17 and younger), which is payable in cash on the day.
- Journey deep into the world of Michelangelo and David on an in-depth tour
- Radio transmitters will be provided
- Numbers are capped at 15 travelers for a more intimate experience
Read more about – Skip the Line David Guided Tour Experience
OPTION: Self-Guided Tour of Uffizi Galleria
The Gallery entirely occupies the first and second floors of the large building constructed between 1560 and 1580 and designed by Giorgio Vasari. It is famous worldwide for its outstanding collections of ancient sculptures and paintings (from the Middle Ages to the Modern period). Visit my Audio Tours page to download maps and an audio tour.
Rick Steve’s has an audio guide to tour on your own, print his map.
Arrive 30 minutes early to pick up your tickets at Ticket Office (map).
Before your tour, present your voucher at the redemption point to receive your entry ticket.
Redemption Point: Via Ricasoli, 68, 50122 Firenze (map). Located between the Duomo and Piazza San Marco, on block closest to San Marco.
Florence Attractions
Leonardo Interactive Museum
Step inside the creative mind of Leonardo Da Vinci with skip-the-line entrance to the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum in Florence. Your admission ticket offers unlimited access, so you can spend as long you like exploring the exhibitions and admiring Leonardo’s Machines, created from the famous Da Vinci Codes.
The museum is just down the street from the Rosso Crudo restaurant.
Ufizzi Gallery Small Group Tour Starting at 3 pm (website)
Arrive at the meeting point by 2:45 pm.
Meeting Point: My Green Tour
Via de’ Martelli, 33r PH: +390559331143
The Gallery entirely occupies the first and second floors of the large building constructed between 1560 and 1580 and designed by Giorgio Vasari. It is famous worldwide for its outstanding collections of ancient sculptures and paintings (from the Middle Ages to the Modern period).
Good Eats
Eataly Firenze
Eataly is a nice place to stop for lunch and to browse their market.
Via De Martelli 22 R (map).
It is on the same street, and close to the Uffizi Gallery.
Ristorante Rosso Crudo
Bistecca Florentina, with all of the trimmings and wine, at a very reasonable cost. Delizioso!
Via dei Servi, 85 rosso, (map)
Day 11 🌅 Mon. 6/2/25 Depart Florence ➡️ Rome
Rome 6/2/25 – 6/6/25
Ask the concierge for a taxi from the hotel to the train station.
Florence S.M. Novella 🛤️Roma Termini
🚅 Italo Train 8905 Coach 3 Prima Business
Departure 10:28 am – Arrival 12:10 pm
Rome
Transportation to Hotel
The Flower Garden hotel is about a five-minute walk from the Termini Station. With the tracks at your back, exit the left side of the station.
If the weather is bad and you don’t wish to walk, there is a taxi stand just outside the Roma Termini station. Make sure to go to the stand at the end of the station and enter the queue for an official taxi. Make sure that they use the meter and confirm before getting in that they will accept a credit card. If someone approaches you and asks if you need a taxi, it is likely a scam! Wait at the actual stands.
Flower Garden Hotel
Quadruple Family Room $1,137.29
Complete with a comfortable seating area, with 1 queen sized double bed and 2 single beds. 215 sq. ft.
Tuesday, June 2 is a National holiday, the Festa della Repubblica.
This is Italy’s “4th of July”, a celebration of the transition to a Republic in 1946.
History of Italy (video)
Activities in Rome
Please review this collection of activities and contact me to book any that you wish to do. If you have other places you would like to visit, let me know.
Lunch or Dinner Near the Pantheon
Bistro Tabaccheria di Rienzo (map)
Trip Advisor Travelers’ Choice 2024
(review)
Stop and enjoy the food, and the service. Tell Luigi that Vincenco from Cincinnati sent you and said hello!
And if you need WiFi, Luige has it!
SSID: Caffe Di Rienzo Guest
PWD: bistropantheon
Day 12🌅Tue. 6/3/25 Rome (Night 2 of 4)
The Festa della Repubblica celebrations are today at well.
Visiting the Trevi Fountain
Navigating the New Queue System (details)
Officials have implemented a structured queuing system to enhance the visitor experience. Visitors can access the fountain from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with the last entry at 8:30 p.m. The number of visitors is capped at 400 at a time to prevent overcrowding.
On Mondays and Fridays, the fountain remains closed until noon for coin collection, and every other Monday, it opens at 2 p.m. for cleaning.
Day 13🌅Wed. 6/4/25 Rome (Night 3 of 4)
🎟️ Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica Tour
Meeting Point: Brastours Office
Via Santamaura, 28 (map)
Meet 15 minutes prior the departure time of 2:oo pm. No refunds will be issued to customers who are late and miss the tour.
Directions: Hotel to Vatican Museums.
Discover the priceless treasures in the Vatican’s art collection—and visit Vatican City’s most important landmarks—on this introductory tour. Upon arrival, skip the long lines and head right inside the Vatican Museums. See Michelangelo’s world-famous Sistine Chapel, venture to the Tapestries Gallery and other museum highlights, and then transfer to neighboring St. Peter’s Basilica. Headsets are included so you can hear your guide’s commentary clearly as you explore.
- Enjoy an introduction to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica
- Save time when you skip the long lines and head right inside
- Discover Michelangelo’s iconic Sistine Chapel
- Small group ensures personalized attention from your guide
Read more about – Rome: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica Tour
Day 14🌅Thu. 6/5/25 Rome (Night 4 of 4)
🎟️ Castel Sant’Angelo with Reserved Tickets 9:00 am
Meeting Time: by 8:45 am (map)
Meeting Point: The exact meeting point is at the entrance of Castel Sant’Angelo. Their friendly staff will be easy to spot wearing purple “Crown Tours” shirts and waiting just under the angel statue at the castle entrance. Late arrivals may not be admitted.
Discover the history of this mausoleum-turned-museum with skip-the-line, hosted access. Located on the right bank of the Tiber only a short distance from the Vatican City, the Castel Sant’Angelo is an ancient fortress with centuries of history.
Built in 135 AD for the Roman Emperor Hadrian, the building has played an important part in Rome’s architectural history. Climb the spiral staircase to reach the Chamber of Ashes where a number of historical figures were incarcerated, before continuing up to visit the Papal Residence. Finish your experience with a panoramic view over Rome and the River Tiber from the castle terrace. A great opportunity to take some photos of the Ponte Sant’Angelo bridge, also known as the Bridge of Angels.
Click here for some history on the Castel.
🎟️Colosseum, Forum and Palatine Tour 2:30 pm
Meeting Point (map) 2:15 pm
COLLE OPPIO PARK – VIA DELLE TERME DI TITO, CORNER OF VIA NICOLA SALVI, INSIDE THE PARK
Emergency phone number:
0039 06 474 2501
(6:30 AM – 8:00 PM )
0039 348 8112027 (Whatsapp only)
Passports are Mandatory
The Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill are three of Rome’s most visited attractions, and this guided tour brings the ancient wonders to life. See where gladiators battled in the iconic Colosseum; discover ancient ruins in the Roman Forum and ascend to Palatine Hill for panoramic views of the Eternal City.
- Take in the views from Palatine Hill, one of the seven hills of Rome
- Explore inside the ancient Colosseum, where gladiator battles once took place
- Admire the UNESCO-listed ruins of the Roman Forum
Rome Attractions
- Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, The National Opera House and the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli – 5 mins on foot
- Trendy district of Monti full of galleries, restaurants, bars and chic boutiques – 10 mins on foot
- The Trevi Fountain – 10/15 mins on foot or 1 stops on Metro Line A to “Barberini” from “Repubblica”
- The Spanish Steps and the designer shopping district – 2 stops on Metro Line A to “Spagna”
- The Coliseum & Imperial Roman Forum – 15 mins on foot or 2 stops on Metro Line B to “Colosseo” from Termini
- Basilica of St John Lateran & the Holy Stairs – 15 mins on foot or 3 stops on Metro Line A to “San Giovanni” from Termini
- Circus Maximus and the Bocca della Verita – 3 stops on Metro Line B to “Circo Massimo” from Termini
- The nightclubs of Testaccio – 4 stops on Metro Line B to “Piramide” from Termini
- Piazza del Popolo, Villa Borghese, the Borghese Gallery and shopping – 3 stops on Metro Line A to “Flaminio” from Repubblica
- The Basilica of St Peter, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel – 5 stops on Metro Line A to “Ottaviano” from Repubblica
- The Basilica of St Paul – 6 stops on Metro Line B to “San Paulo” from Termini
The visit to the necropolis beneath the basilica, where the Tomb of Saint Peter is located, is a special privilege granted by the Fabbrica di San Pietro on a case-by-case basis, according to a designated schedule.
As the preservation of this historical and archaeological site is a priority, only approximately 250 visitors are allowed per day.
A request was made for tickets which are extremely limited. 🤞
Mobile Passport Control (MPC)
- Shorter wait times in Customs
- Free, easy-to-use app
- Groups up to 12 can be processed together
- Available at most major U.S. airports
- Ability to declare items in app
Day 15 🌅Fri. 6/6/25
SCHEDULED CHANGED
Rome, Italy (FCO) to Boston (BOS)
DL0067 1:20 pm – 4:35 P.M
Aircraft: Airbus A330-900neo Main Cabin
Boston (BOS) to Cincinnati, OH (CVG)
DL5620 8:45 pm – 10:54 pm
Aircraft: Embraer 175 Main Cabin
Currency
Currency Exchange
Foreign currency exchange is the act of exchanging one type of currency for another. For example, if you’re planning an international trip to Europe, you may want to plan ahead and exchange U.S. dollars for Euros so that you are prepared to cover cash expenses as soon as you arrive without having to stop at an exchange office at your destination. Two hundred euros should get you through until you get to an ATM.
Making ATM Withdrawals – USE A BANK ATM!
The best way to get cash in Italy is to make an ATM withdrawal when you arrive. The Visa or Mastercard exchange rate applies and is better than any rate you’re likely to get exchanging currency at an exchange office or a bank.
IMPORTANT: Make sure to select the option for conversion by your bank. It’s a good idea to check with your bank for specific details about their foreign ATM conversion fees and any other charges that might apply.
Italian bank ATMs are called bancomats and some don’t charge a local ATM operator fee — but avoid using independent ATMs. These third-party ATMs charge like a wounded bull, and it’ll be obvious which ATMs are affiliated with a bank and which aren’t.
Cash and Currency Tips for Europe by Rick Steves
Foreign Currency Exchange Services (pnc.com)
How long does it take to receive foreign currency bank notes that are ordered at a PNC branch?
Standard foreign currency orders entered before 4:30 p.m. ET will be delivered to the branch by the end of the next business day. (during business travel season please allow 1 – 2 additional business days)
Customers may request overnight delivery for a $15 charge. Overnight delivery foreign currency orders entered before 4:30 p.m. ET will be delivered to the branch by noon the next business day. Overnight delivery is only available Monday through Friday and isn’t available on bank holidays.
Foreign Currency Exchange | Fifth Third Bank (53.com)
Fifth Third customers can buy and sell foreign currency at their local branch with competitive exchange rates. And when you return from your trip, Fifth Third can buy back any unused foreign currency, exchanging it back into U.S. dollars. Contact your local branch if you have questions about a particular currency carried.
