Here We Come! | Italy | 2026mj
Before You Go
- Get your travel insurance– Allianz Manage Policy
- Get your Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for the UK
- Get essential travel apps and stay in touch.
- Order your travel essentials.
- Rick Steves Audio App
Colosseum Tickets go on sale on the official website at midnight (Rome time) 30 days before the ticket date.
Visit Parco archeologico del Colosseo to purchase tickets (non-refundable).
Day-by-Day
- Day 1– Depart for London (03/14/26)
- Day 2– Arrive in London (03/15/26)
- 🏨 Conrad London St. James – 1/3 nights
- Viator Options for London
- Day 3– London (3/16/26)
- 🏨 Conrad London St. James – 2/3 nights
- TBD See Viator Activities
- Day 4– London (3/17/26)
- 🏨 Conrad London St. James – 3/3 nights
- TBD See Viator Activities
- Day 5– ✈️Vueling Flight London Gatwick to Florence (03/18/26)
- 🏨 Grand Hotel Baglioni – 1/3 nights
- Rosso Crudo Ristorante
- 🍷Wine Windows –
- Option: Giotto’s Bell Tower Tour
- Option: Galleria Dell’ Accademia
- Option: Uffizi Galleries Tour
- Option: Leonardo Interactive Museum
- Option: Verona Day Trip
- Churches Walking Tour
- Day 6– Florence (3/19/26)
- 🏨 Grand Hotel Baglioni – 2/3 nights
- TBD See Viator Activities
- Day 7– Florence (3/20/26)
- 🏨 Grand Hotel Baglioni – 3/3 nights
- TBD See Viator Activities
- Day 8– 🚅Train to Venice (03/21/26)
- 🚅 Trenitalia 9490 Florence 10:20 am ➡️ Venice 12:34 pm
- 🏨Hilton Molino Stucky – 3 nights
- Option: Tour of Doge’s Palace and Basilica
- Day 9– Venice (3/22/26)
- 🏨Hilton Molino Stucky – 2/3 nights
- Day 10– Venice (3/23/26)
- 🏨Hilton Molino Stucky – 3/3 nights
- Day 11 – 🚅 Trenitalia 9411 Venice 9:26 am ➡️ Rome 1:30 pm (3/24/26)
- 🏨 Best Western Premier Hotel Royal Santina – 1/4 nights
- Option: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and Basilica Tour
- Option: Castel Sant’ Angelo
- Day 12- Rome (3/25/26)
- Day 13- Rome (3/26/26)
- 🏨 Best Western Premier Hotel Royal Santina – 3/4 nights
- Day 14- Rome (3/26/26)
- 🏨 Best Western Premier Hotel Royal Santina – 4/4 nights
- Day 15– Return to Cincinnati
Cincinnati – Italy Clocks
Euro Currency Converter
Italy Webcams
Day 1 | Fri., March 14, 2026
Departing Greater Cincinnati Airport
Schedule change from: Delta 3160 at 1:35 pm
To: Delta 1732 at 1:59 PM
Day 1 | Arrive Atlanta Airport | 3h 2m Hour Layover
Friday, March 14, 2026, at 3:28 pm
Day 1 | Depart Atlanta | Delta 5998 for London
Monday, May 27, 2024 at 6:30 PM
Day 2 | Arrival in London
Tuesday, 3/15/26 at 6:25 am
Located in the former Queen Anne’s Chambers, the 19th-century building is next to St. James’s Park underground. Discover a world-class art collection, afternoon tea, and restaurants featuring contemporary British cuisine.
22-28 Broadway, London SW1H 0BH
+44 20 3301 8080
What’s nearby? (map)
| Big Ben 0.2 miles | Houses of Parliament 0.1 miles |
| Buckingham Palace 0.2 miles | St. James’s Park 0.1 miles |
| Central London 0.1 miles | Westminster Abbey 0.1 miles |
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Day 3 | London
Wednesday, 3/16/26
🏨 Conrad London St. James
Day 4 | London
Thursday, 3/17/26
🏨 Conrad London St. James
Day 5 | Arrival in Florence
Wednesday, 3/18/26
Depart Conrad St. James for London Gatwick (LGW)
- Distance: ~28 miles south of central London.
- Transit: ~75–90 minutes by taxi; ~35 minutes via Gatwick Express from Victoria Station (which is very close to Conrad St. James).
- Advantage: Easy access from your hotel — you can walk or take a short Tube ride to Victoria Station and hop on the Gatwick Expres
Transit
- Taxi/Uber to LGW: £100–120 per vehicle → $127–152 USD total (split between 2 people).
- Gatwick Express (from Victoria): £20–25 per person → $25–32 USD each → $50–64 USD total.
✈️Flight from London Gatwick to Florence 10:25 am
Arrive Florence Airport at 1:40 pm
Here are your best options to get from Florence Airport (Amerigo Vespucci) to the Grand Hotel Baglioni:
🚆 Option 1: Tram + Walk (Fastest & Cheapest)
- Tram Line T2:
- Board at the airport (stop: Peretola Aeroporto)
- Ride to Unità stop (about 22 minutes)
- Walk:
- From Unità tram stop, walk 2 minutes to the hotel (200 meters)
- Cost:
- €1.50 (~$1.65 USD) per person
- Tickets:
- Buy at tram stop machines or use contactless card
✅ Best choice for budget travelers and light luggage
🏨 Grand Hotel Baglioni – 3 nights
A Four-Star hotel equipped with all the comforts and services of high-level establishments. On the fifth floor, you can discover the beauty of a splendid panoramic restaurant, B-Roof, from where you can admire Florence’s skyline and take in the entire city at a glance. (map)
Address: Piazza dell’Unità Italiana, 6
Tel. +3905523580 Email: infodesk@hotelbaglioni.it
The Grand Hotel Baglioni is located in Florence, near the central train station, Firenze Santa Maria Novella (SMN). The hotel is approximately 200 meters from the station. To reach it, head towards Piazza dell’Unità Italiana as a reference point.
Florence Taxis Stands (map and list) – Taxi4390 or call +39 055 4390
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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.
Giotto’s Bell Tower TBD
With your Giotto Pass you can have a timed entry to Giotto’s Bell Tower at TBD pm.
The tower involves an ascent of 414 steps and there is no elevator.
You also have single visits over three days (through TBD) to each of the following: the Baptistery, the Opera dell Duomo Museum, and Santa Reparata.
Suitcases, backpacks, parcels, containers and large and medium-sized bags and other types of objects (see the complete regulation at this link) are not permitted when you climb the Bell Tower. There is a luggage storage area at Piazza Duomo n. 38/r.
Galleria Dell’ Accademia (website)
You have a timed, fast-track entry at 10:15 am for your guided, 2-hr tour.
La Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze exhibits the largest number of Michelangelo’s sculptures in the world. Viator
Passports or ID Cards are required for entry at this, and many other sites.
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. An 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 Rosso Crudo. You can buy tickets here.
OPTION: Ufizzi Gallery TBD (website)
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).
Day 6 | Florence
Thursday, 3/19/26
🏨 Grand Hotel Baglioni – 2 /3 nights
Florence Wine Windows
Check out my post on wine windows and Florence, and head to the one at Babae where you can enjoy a glass.
Or, sit and have a beer at Babae while the wives wait in line.
Day 7 | Florence
Friday, 3/20/26
🏨 Grand Hotel Baglioni – 2 /3 nights
Ristorante Rosso Crudo
Bistecca Florentina, with all of the trimmings and wine, at a very reasonable cost. Delizioso!
Via dei Servi, 85 rosso, (map)
Days 8 | Venice
Saturday, 3/21/26
🚅 Trenitalia 9490
Florence ➡️ Venice
Trenitalia Frecciarossa 9413
Coach 64, Premium Class
Depart: 10:20 am from Firenze Santa Maria Novella station.
Arrive: 12:34 pm at Venice Santa Lucia station. (map).
How to Buy Vaporetto Tickets in Venice
Venice, the enchanting city of canals, is best explored by hopping aboard a vaporetto (water bus). Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, here’s how you can purchase your Vaporetto tickets hassle-free. Click here for more info.
🏨 Hilton Molino Stucky – 3 nights
⭐ Best with Luggage: The Direct Hilton Boat (Alilaguna / Hilton Shuttle)
Step‑by‑step from the train platform
- Get off the train and follow the “Uscita / Exit” signs Walk straight down the main concourse toward the big glass doors at the front of the station.
- Exit the station to the Grand Canal As you step outside, you’ll see stairs going down and the Grand Canal directly in front of you. You’re now at the Ferrovia area (the station’s waterbus docks).
- Go down the main steps Walk down the wide staircase. At the bottom, you’ll see multiple floating docks (piers) lined up along the canal.
- Look for the Alilaguna Blue Line signs (separate from ACTV).
- Buy a ticket at the Alilaguna booth or machine.
- Board the Blue Line toward Giudecca Hilton.
- Ride ~15–20 minutes.
- Step off directly at the hotel.
🏨Hilton Molino Stuckey, Venice
Breakfast Included
City Tax Not Included
Enjoy your Executive room, 291 sq. ft, king size Serenity bed, 40-inch HDTV, marble bathroom, and Murano-glass chandelier. Enjoy your exclusive access to the Executive Lounge, with complimentary drinks and snacks.
Your stylish room is in a fully restored flour mill on the shores of picturesque Giudecca Island. The hotel is accessible in just a few minutes by a private shuttle boat from Piazza San Marco. Enjoy breathtaking views of the town’s historic center from the highest rooftop bar in the city, take a dip in our summer rooftop swimming pool, relax in the spa and discover local and international flavors in our restaurants.
Hotel Shuttle Service
It connects the hotel with Piazza San Marco and Zattere. With a regular service available seven days a week, it is the ideal way to explore Venice and easily reach the center.
The hotel shuttle service’s rate is €15 per person per stay. Location.
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Venice Tour Options
OPTION: MEETING POINT: 10:30 am
Calle larga de l’Ascension 1258
END POINT: Carta Gate
P.za San Marco, 1
Tour: Approx. 2 hours 15 min.
OPTION: Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica Tour
The meeting point is next to the post office San Marco (opposite side of the Saint Marks Basilica). Look for the yellow sign “Meeting point” on the wooden kiosk and the Turive assistant.
OPTION: Doge’s Tickets Include the Museums Below
Museo Correr: an art museum located in the heart of Venice, Italy, offering a deep dive into the city’s art and history. Established in 1830 and situated in St. Mark’s Square, the museum showcases a vast collection bequeathed by Teodoro Correr, a Venetian nobleman passionate about collecting art and historical artifacts reflecting Venice’s past. The museum’s collections include works from the Neoclassical period, including pieces by the renowned sculptor Antonio Canova, as well as exhibits that portray Venetian life and culture, with significant paintings, maiolica, glass pieces, and bronzes that tell the story of the Serenissima Republic.
Museo Archeologico Nazionale: a prominent archaeological museum boasting Greek and Roman sculptures, ceramics, coins, and stones dating back to the 1st Century B.C.
The Monumental Rooms of the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana: a testament to the city’s rich cultural heritage, showcasing a stunning collection of classical texts within a beautiful building designed by Jacopo Sansovino. Visitors can marvel at the grandeur of the noble double staircase, the vaulted roof, and domed tops, as well as the valuable works of renowned artists like Titian, Veronese, and Tintoretto. The library’s integration into the Museums of St. Mark’s Square allows for a seamless exploration of Venice’s historical treasures.
You can contact me to make the booking (preferred) or use my Viator link to book.
If you book any activities using the links, please email me your confirmation.
Day 9 | Venice
Sunday, 3/22/26
🏨 Grand Hotel Baglioni – 2 /3 nights
Day 10 | Venice
Monday, 3/23/26
🏨 Grand Hotel Baglioni – 3 /3 nights
Day 11 | Depart Venice
Tuesday, 3/24/26
From Hilton Molino Stucky
The hotel is located on Giudecca Island, so you’ll need to cross the lagoon to reach the main island where Santa Lucia station is.
Walk to the hotel’s dock (Molino Stucky pier).
Take a Vaporetto (Water Bus)
Board ACTV Vaporetto Line 2 from Molino Stucky → Piazzale Roma.
Travel time: ~20–25 minutes.
Vaporetto tickets: €9.50 (single ride). You can also use a multi-day pass.
Walk from Piazzale Roma to Santa Lucia Station
Once you arrive at Piazzale Roma (the bus terminal), it’s a 5–7 minute walk across the Ponte della Costituzione bridge to Venezia Santa Lucia station.
You can also take vaporetto line 1 from the Piazzale Roma stop to the station.
🚅 Trenitalia Venice➡️ Rome
Depart 9:26 am- Arrive 1:30 pm
You will be travelling in Premium class on Train 9411. Coach 4. Don’t forget to watch the Partenze board for your Binario (track number of your departing train).
🏨 Best Western Premier Hotel Royal Santina (map)
Located at Via Marsala 22, the Best Western Premier Hotel Royal Santina offers a refined and contemporary experience in the heart of Rome. Just steps from Roma Termini, the city’s central train hub, this 4-star property is perfect for travelers arriving by train or planning day trips to Florence, Naples, or Venice via Italy’s high-speed rail.
- 2–3 minute walk across Piazza della Repubblica
- No transit required — ideal for early departures or late arrivals
- Direct access to Metro Lines A & B, airport shuttles, and regional buses
Nearby Attractions
- Baths of Diocletian & National Roman Museum – 2 min walk
- Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore – 6 min walk
- Colosseum & Roman Forum – 25 min walk or 2 Metro stops
- Trevi Fountain & Spanish Steps – ~20–25 min walk
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Rome: Castel Sant’Angelo with Reserved Ticket
Click here for some history on the Castel.
Vatican Museums and Basilica
Early Vatican Museums Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica
Hotel pickup at 7:15 am.
Small group (max. 10) 3-hour tour.
It is not permitted to enter churches in shorts, uncovered shoulders or miniskirts.
The itinerary includes Pio Clementino Hall, Laocoon and Apollo Belvedere, Maps Gallery, Candelabra Gallery, Tapestries Gallery and the most celebrated Michelangelo’s masterpiece: the Sistine Chapel!
After exploring the Vatican Museums, the tour will continue into St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the world and symbol of the Catholic religion, where it will be possible to admire iconic masterpieces such as La Pietà by Michelangelo and the huge Baldacchino by Bernini.
The tour ends in St. Peter’s Square, dominated by Michelangelo’s imposing Cupola and surrounded by the famous Bernini’s double Colonnade.
Rome Taxi- Guide to Taxi to/from airport and city center.
Day 15 – Depart Rome, Italy at 11:00 am
Arrive JFK Airport at 3:50 pm – 3h 10m Layover
Depart JFK for Atlanta at 7:10 pm
Delta Flight DL5023
Arrive at 9:23 pm at Greater Cincinnati Airport (CVG)
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.
Converter
Links for More Information
GetYourGuide – Please book through this link.
🔗Click to read my post on traveling by train in Italy
