Day 1 - Travel

Paris! Well, the airport. The macrons were very, very good. When we arrive we took a pre-booked car service to the hotel. Went for a walk and had pizza and gelato.

Day 2 - Rome

We visited the Vatican Museum and St Peter’s Basilica with a tour guide. The tapestries, ceilings, and sculptures were incredible in the museum, culminating with the Sistine Chapel. St.Peter’s Basilica was unbelievable in size and artistry. Michelangelo's Pieta and knowing he made it at 23 years old was breathtaking. Outside the church, we saw the changing of the Swiss Guard, and the preparations for Easter.

We had lunch at Da Tonino. Some of the best pasta on our trip. We walked to the Pantheon, had more gelato, stopped at a beautiful church (Chiesa di Sant' Ignazio di Loyola), saw the Trevi Fountain, and the Capuchin Crypt decorated with bones. Then on to the Spanish Steps, a long walk (more gelato), and a crappy dinner because we’d walked 13 miles and couldn’t find a good restaurant. Took the bus back to the hotel. 22,000 steps.

Day 3 - Rome
We met up with a tour group outside the Colosseum which was great. Learned it only took 8 years go build.Group went to the Palatine hill with stunning views and history. The tour ended in the Roman Forum.

We walked oast Capitol Hill to the Ghetto. We got grilled lamb and caccio e pepe at Taverna del Ghetto. Had more gelato on a Tiber river island.

We used FreeNow app to take a Taxi to the LDS Temple. We felt the spirit so strong as the sister missionaries gave us a tour. We stuck around to enjoy a few talks from General Conference live. The missionaries share their pizza and treats with us!

We went back to the Loyola basilica where a soprano gave a very dramatic opera concert. Very cool experience. It was very late but found a restaurant and had amazing carbonara and gnocci. Then had more gelato. 21,000 steps

Day 4

Took a pre-booked high-speed Italo train to Florence. At a farmers market we got porchetta, prosciutto, cheese, breadz and cannolis before hitting up the Uffizi gallery. The Rick Steves app audio guide was great.

We had a waking tour in Florence - Ponte Vecchio, Palacio Vecchio, Duomo, baptism doors, medieval city center.

We had more Gelato and saw Michelangelo's David. Had a fun talk with two ladies in line from India about the church. Stolled through Florence. We "Door Dashed" pizza and croquettes to the hotel for dinner. 18,000 steps.


Day 5 - Florence

This was our favorite day. Started the day with the Fiat 500 Club. Drove a 1970 blue First 500 named Marcello blue through Chianti area of Tuscany. Stopped in a small town for Strawberries and pastries.

Then went to Piazzale Michaelangelo, a must see view of Florence. Walked down past fountains to the Arno river.

Visited the Santa Croce church where Michaelangelo and Galileo are entombed. Had pizza and a sandwich for lunch. Soooooo good.

Waled to the Ponte Vecchio, had Gelato.

For dinner, had Florentine Steak at Osteri Vecchio Canchello. Exquisite.17,000 steps.

Day 6 - Venice

Train to Venice. Lunch at Frito Inn...fried cod and tempura vegetables And strawberries. Best fish ever.

Santa Lucia church, so beautiful.

Frari church with incredible choir wooden seats and Titian's Mary piece. The blood of Christ in a vial!

Took audio tour on Vaporetto down the grand canal. Had dinner at nice restaurant.

Day 7 - Venice

Took boat to Murano for glass blowing demonstration.

Had Walking tour of area around San Marco.

Lunch with chichetti at a bar.

Went to the Doges palace. Largest room in the world in its time. Largest oil painting in the world. Armor. Arrows. Clubs. Gold and paintings everywhere. Prison tour. Bridge of sighs.

Waited in line for Saint Mark's. Almost last ones in. Gold mosaics, saint Mark's relics.

Walk to Rialto bridge. More gelato. Got La Lista pizza to go.

Got up at 3am. I walked down an empty street in Venice and hopped on a speedboat. We flew across the water under the full moon and felt like characters in a spy movie. Then we disembarked at the airport.


Notes: Using the metro around Rome is great. If you dar, the available bikes and scooters looked like a great additional option.

We booked our trip on sale through Gate 1 Travel. The whole trip was under 4K for both of us, food, souvenirs, and all.